Blue lotus also known as Neelkamal in Sanskrit is an incredibly sacred flower revered by the ancient Egyptians (Kemetic civilisation) and inherent within the Hindu Vedic tradition - particularly held by Maa Tara who is one of the Das Mahavidyas.
It was known as a flower that purified the inner vision, the third eye and connected us to the spiritual realms. Each plant and flower has a consciousness - and it is only through colonisation that we have been programmed to be scared of our natural intelligence and healing modalities or demonise the use of spiritual plants as ‘bad.’
In fact, the knowledge and respectful use of entheogenic plants is held deeply in every single ancient civilisation on earth, and only now are we reclaiming the esoteric wisdom around it - for medicine, healing, personal growth and more.
So how does blue lotus enhance a psychedelic journey? Let’s get some background.
In a psychedelic state of consciousness, the energy channels open and you are essentially plunged into your subconscious mind. This gives way to new insights, profound realisations and spiritual experiences - but if handled in a haphazard way and disconnected from the ancient traditions (similar to how Kundalini Yoga has been), there can be deep negative impacts on the energetic system.
The reason that people have a ‘bad trip’ is often because there is no real respect for the plant or compound - no intention setting, no knowledge of set and setting, and seeing psychedelic plants as substances rather than sacred healing modalities.
This is why it is SO important to have a spiritual method and ritualistic aspect within any psychedelic experience, and that includes every single plant.
When these plants and flowers are understood in their original sense, they have the potential to offer us life changing shifts within our subconscious mind.
Blue lotus is one such plant which (associated with Maa Tara) helps us to do that. The blue lotus must be blessed by the deity for this to hold true in the way I describe - because that’s what activates the spiritual consciousness within the plant.
Blue lotus and the psychedelic experience: key points
1. The symbolism and consciousness of the lotus flower is purification. Purification of our subtle energy channels and our mind, body and spirit. Blue lotus in particular provides spiritual purification; it is through purification that our inner vision opens up and our chakra system can bloom like the lotus from the mud of avidya and ignorance. In a psychedelic experience, blue lotus enables you to gain deep insights and visions in a much clearer way then without. It opens up a new channel for higher messages and healing to come through.
2. Blue lotus helps with calmness and relaxation - which can really assist in the energetic release or movement of difficult emotions or suppressed trauma. One of the biggest struggles in navigating the psychedelic experience is being able to put the mind to the side and simply experience, allow things to arise and dissolve on their own. Blue lotus gives you an inner anchor by which this process is smoother.
3. Blue lotus helps with concentration of the mind and focus too, which makes it a good aid for meditation. This is very helpful during a psychedelic experience because it allows the experience to be more grounded and stable. There is a spiritual connect with the deity as well.
4. Seeing as blue lotus is not psychoactive as such, and is a simple flower which can be taken as tea or an extract, it can really help with integration of profound psychedelic experiences such as Ayahuasca ceremonies. It takes a lot of time to integrate these experiences and blue lotus gives you the clarity to connect within and do that. When psychedelic experiences are left unintegrated, they can create energetic disturbance. I will share a full guide on psychedelic integration here on Substack too.
How do you work with blue lotus?
1. The first thing to know is that the blue lotus should be blessed by the deity. Seeing as Maa Tara is the presiding deity of the Neelkamal flower, it can be blessed in any traditional Shakti temple. Please be sure not to confuse new age versions of Hinduism with the traditions, because one is the origin and the other is not. Research the Hindu Shakti temples in your area such as Maa Durga, Maa Lalita and get it blessed by offering it to the pandit and asking if they can bless it and give it back.
2. I get blue lotus extract from here click here to see the page and use my discount code kamya10 for 10% off anything, they are an amazing brand who make edible grade, pure quality flower and ayurvedic extracts. I take 4-6 drops in warm water for example but you can start with 2-3 and then see further. I also have their blue lotus absolute which is a little more expensive but very potent, I have about 3-5 drops of that. If you wanted a larger experience beyond a mild one, I would take double.
3. Before working with ANY plant medicine be it Cacao, blue lotus, or anything else, remember to connect to the spirit of the plant and offer gratitude, offer your intentions as well for what you are looking to heal or simply leave it open to higher insight. Dhanvanthri is the deity that precedes over all plant medicines. To learn more about this please read my introductory guide to plant medicines.
For deeper guidance on holding your own rituals, stay tuned here.
And to join my upcoming cacao and blue lotus ceremony in Mumbai, please fill this form!!
Love and blessings,
Jai Maa Tara