Hi friends,
Most of us hear voices in our heads. For most of human history, according to Julian Jaynes, humans thought of these voices as coming from outside of us - from G/god(s). But its weirder than that. In studies involving electrical stimulation of the temporal lobe (the part of the brain beside the ear that turns sound into meaning) people have experiences of entities in the room, spiritual experiences. The effect is so profound the device used has been nicknamed the ‘God Helmet’. So most humans, historically speaking, heard G/god(s) and our brains have a proven physical mechanism that enables this experience.
It’s actually a pretty recent idea that our internal chatter is actually from ourselves, our own egos, our individuality. And it’s not a globally shared idea. In much of the world the internal voice is seen, not as an internal monologue, but interwoven with others[1]. Bayo Akomolafe, Nigerian philosopher and trickster, goes further to ask why he’d want to make the voices in his mind quiet - “What if that's your father or your mother or your grandfather, your grandmother trying to speak with you?”.
Research by Tanya Luherman suggests that those of us in the Western world are much more likely to dislike our internal voices. I can certainly attest to that. It has taken me half a life to cultivate an internal campfire that gets along. In fact, this journey to create a loving inner world has been so enriching that I now seek the experiences that press me up against my unexplored internal demons, so that I can meet and alchemise those beings that hold me back. This is why I make music. This is why I perform.
I really believe that the process of falling in love with the internal voices, and learning which ones to listen to and which are just noisy internalised oppressors - that is the task of retu(r)ning ourselves to the greater living forces of this Earth.
Now we become the Earth.
And on that note - my latest single is called ‘In my head’ - my lungs are made of birdwings, my eyes of wildfire, there’s topsoil in my bones, my body is made of the Earth… but my head… my head is a bit distored. You can listen to it on Spotify, Soundcloud, Apple Music, Youtube and all the places.
🌿 Plant & Kin
Skullcap (genus Scutellaria) is a flowering herb and part of the dead nettle family known for their ability to calm a noisy mind. The plant is wildly used to treat anxiety, stress, insomnia and mental exhaustion, a nourishing herb for the nervous system. The latin name refers to the shape of the calyx, scultella meaning small dish or platter. The common name supposedly is because the shape of the flowers refers to a mini medieval helmet. However to me it makes more sense that the name refers to its medicinal quality of being like a cap over the skull that soothes whirring thoughts and protects from over-sensitivity to the outside world and the psychic realm.
In traditional Chinese medicine Skullcap has a cold energetic nature. It is used to clear heat, dry damp, drain fire and resolve toxins. Chemically this is thought to be because of flavonoids - particularly Baicalin and Baicalein - though clinical trials are lacking. These antioxidants appear to downregulate the effects of oxidative stress on various tissues in the body including the liver.
I have never found Skullcap growing wild, though its very common so I assume that I’ve just missed them when walking by. There are species in the genus native to North America, China and Europe. Scutellara Galericulata is native to the UK and apparently grows well in marshy meadows across temperate climates. My friend Anita at Heartwood Herbs has tea and tinctures for sale, and as ever it best to get some advice from an experienced herbalist.
🔥 Earthing Practice
It’s a misnomer of meditiative practice that the goal is to shut them voices up. I’m not an expert, but in my understanding we are actually aiming to observe them. Say hi to them from our vantage point of stillness. Allow them to come and go. If they carry emotions, let them move through you, allow let them pass. No need to attach a story or cling on like your identity depends on it. It’s a practice that supports us to untangle what is a passing story, and what is self. And once you can untangle that it starts to become possible to hear the whisper on the wind, the song in the river and the message that a loved on needs you to know.
So this is your little invitiation to set a timer for 10 minutes and just sit with your eyes closed allowing the thoughts to pass. Greet those thoughts with love and let them know you’ll come back to them later, if they really need you. And if you’re practiced at this meditating thing, then why not listen in for thoughts that aren’t from your mind at all.
✨ Offerings
I have a whole bunch of upcoming events - meditative sound journeys with soundscapes created live with a three musicians, and our upcoming shamanic exchange with a Ugandan tribal community. Links to everything here.
If you have voices in your head that scream at you that you can’t sing, or some other complete nonsense like that - I’d love to help. I offer guided sessions that use imagination, somatic experience and shamanic-inspired techniques to dive into your wild subconscious to meet blockages, guides, ancestors and soul parts. Find out more here.