The Spiritual Meaning of Waking Up at Night
Have you ever woken up in the middle of the night, with no known cause? Everyone has had a rough night or two when they could not seem to stay asleep, usually because of indigestion, a noise, an uncomfortable mattress, or other physical issues. Sometimes, however, we pop awake for seemingly no reason. In folklore, the middle of the night was deemed "the witching hour," and some believe that this time still holds a magical and spiritual significance. What does it mean when you wake up at night?
Your soul is calling.
The middle of the night is a time of stillness. It is also when our logical minds are asleep, allowing our subconscious selves to work, learn, and grow. If you awaken in the middle of the night, despite having good sleep hygiene, it may be because your soul is calling you to pause in this time of stillness and absorb its lessons into your waking mind.
Instead of cursing this hour or thinking of how soon you have to wake up for work, take a moment to meditate. Place a hand over your heart, and let your soul guide you. See what words, images, or feelings come up. If you can, write them down in a journal. If you are not in danger of falling asleep right away, you may wish to light a white candle dressed in lavender, rosemary, or clary sage oil, and ask your soul and spirit guides to speak to you. (Be sure to snuff it out completely before returning to bed!)
You have been traveling.
This does not mean actually traveling -- though sleeping in a hotel can certainly make you wake up in the middle of the night! Instead, it refers to astral traveling. This is a time when the soul takes a journey to the astral plane. When it returns to the body, it may be enough to cause you to awaken.
You may also be lucid dreaming. This is a special dream state where you are aware that you are dreaming, and can direct what happens. It typically occurs when you are at least semi-conscious so in the dream state closest to awakening. Most people do not get to spend very long in a lucid dream state and wake up easily. Lucid dreaming is often a precursor to astral travel. While you are in this state, consider using it to ask for answers to your most burning questions. You can direct the action, so you can use it to learn whatever you wish.
You need to ground yourself.
Our energy bodies are strong but sensitive. They can be knocked out of alignment by stress, other people's emotions, or negative energies from a variety of sources. Grounding allows us to recalibrate ourselves, and bring our energy back to its natural baseline. If you have frequently been waking up in the middle of the night, it may be a sign that it is time to ground yourself.
You can do this in many ways. One way is to visualize roots connecting you to the core of the Earth, allowing you to exchange energy. Picture your energy flowing down these roots and into the soil to be cleansed and balanced, then back into you. Crystals are another fantastic way to the ground. Hold a black tourmaline, smoky quartz, or onyx, and let your energy pour into them for cleansing and calibrating.
You need better sleep habits.
Sometimes, waking up can be as simple as having poor sleep hygiene. Using devices like phones or laptops right before bed, sleeping with lights on, or using your bed for activities other than sleep and romance can all make it difficult to get a good, restful sleep.
To help yourself sleep soundly through the night, establish a relaxing bedtime routine. Take a warm bath with chamomile and lavender flowers. Anoint your pulse points with a single drop of Dream oil. Consider placing lepidolite on your nightstand or under your pillow, or wearing it to bed. You may also want to tuck a dream pillow into your pillowcase, to allow the aromatic herbs to reduce your stress and allow you to sleep better.
There are many reasons why we may wake up in the middle of the night. Some are mundane, but others indicate an evolution of the soul. If you find yourself awake, write down the last thing you remember, how you are feeling, and anything else that seems relevant. Try the above exercises to connect with your soul's message and ground your energy. In no time, you will be able to sleep restfully and learn the lessons you are meant to learn.