A dream pillow from an orphaned sock
Lost the matching sock months ago, so the survivor has been promoted. Inside: a handful of dried lavender, some chamomile, and rose petals saved from the bouquet my sister brought for my birthday, all wrapped in a scrap of muslin first so nothing sheds. Tied off with garden twine.
It lives under my pillowcase, not inside it, because I learned the hard way that lavender in your ear is not restful.
Have I had prophetic dreams? No. Have I had gentler ones and fallen asleep faster? Honestly, yes. I'll take it. If you're sensitive to any of these, swap in whatever smells like comfort to you.
Wind-down tea for a day sleeper
Working nights means my "bedtime" is 10am, with the sun blazing and the neighbour's leaf blower going. So I've built a little wind-down potion for sleeping by day.
One teaspoon of chamomile, a scant pinch of lavender (any more and it tastes like soap, trust me), a few leaves of lemon balm from the window box and a drip of honey. Before I drink it I hold the mug close and say one question into the steam, the thing I'd like to dream about. Then I write that question at the top of a fresh page in my journal.
I don't know if the dreams answer. I do know I've kept that journal since I was nine, and the questions alone tell a pretty good life story.