The more I discover about the nature of reality, the less I feel I truly know.  I’ve had countless experiences – and read of countless more – that have left me baffled and in awe. Over the past several years, exploring the limits of our human ability to peel back and squeeze between the layers of this reality has become a primary focus in my life. Today, it is that very topic which we will be diving into.

The more I discover about the nature of reality, the more I realize just how much I don’t know. I’ve had countless experiences – and come across countless more – that have left me baffled and in awe, and over the past several years, I’ve become utterly fascinated with exploring the edges of human perception. I’ve been enamored with peeling back the layers of existence and squeezing myself in between them. It is that very exploration which has led to the topic of discussion that we will be diving into today.

What Is Realmwalking?

When I first started toying with the idea of extra-reality exploration, I found myself switching between a lot of varying terminology. It grew tiresome very quickly, and ultimately I felt that I really needed a term that fully encompassed everything I was studying and practicing. I’d considered hedgeriding at first, though that wouldn’t really cover it all, either. I considered psychonautics, but I felt that the connotations associated with mind-altering substances weren’t quite aligned with my journey, either. I needed something more neutral – something more holistic that could serve as a true umbrella term for it all. Thus, I arrived at realmwalking. Realmwalking, then, is the term I use to describe any practice which involves having one foot in this realm and the other in another – and though the term may be “new”, the elements, topics, and practices which fit rather nicely under its vast umbrella are not. They include:

• Meditative Trance: A form of deep meditation intended to bring about visions, insights, and information – the person performing it acting as a receiver of sorts. This state of mind is used in plenty of spiritual and occult practices, including as a gateway into other forms of realmwalking.

• Shamanic Journeying: A shamanic practice referring to a specific form of meditative trance utilizing rhythm and visualization which grants passage into spiritual realms often referred to as the Upper World, Middle World, and Lower World to commune with the spirits who live there for the purpose of guidance, healing, or soul retrieval. Different traditions may approach this differently.

• Past Life Regression: A practice which often utilizes meditative trance coupled with hypnotism in order to gain insight into the other lifetimes which your soul has experienced. As the name suggests, many people consider this practice to be chronologically linear, but I do have to wonder if it really works that way in my own explorations. If the concept of time as we understand it applies only to a physical experience, is it possible that future or alternate lifetimes are also accessible?

• Hedge Riding: I’ve seen practitioners of hedge riding use the term in a couple of different ways, often displaying similarities to practices like shamanic journeying or astral travel. The term hedge itself in this context refers to the boundary between realms or worlds. However, one commonality I notice is the frequent incorporation of magick during the practice to influence the physical world.

• Astral Projection: The act of intentionally leaving the physical body in a theorized astral form, typically used to explore what is considered an astral plane or realm. Often, the goal of such a practice is purely spiritual curiosity or for exploration of the astral realm.

• Astral Travel: Often, this term is used interchangeably with astral projection, but there are some who make the distinction that while projection pertains the conscious act of separation, astral travel pertains to the act of traveling the astral realm after the point of separation, which makes it possible for astral travel to be unintentionally initiated.

• Reality Shifting: The practice of moving your awareness from an instance of you in one reality to an instance of you in another, akin to tuning a radio to a different station. This is a wildly debated topic, often dismissed as daydreaming, lucid dreaming, or astral projection. However, I have read of far too many experiences which have piqued my curiosity to dismiss it myself – including experiences which long predate the circulation of the term itself. If this is to be a valid standalone practice, my current theory is that the creative process may possibly give way to new realities and iterations of ourselves within them. This would function similarly to concepts like servitors and egregores and plays off of related ideas of our ability to partake in Divine creation.

• Lucid Dreaming: The conscious exploration of your inner world – your dream realm – which may or may not reside within the collective consciousness or be connected to the Akashic Records.

• Mediumship: The act of communicating with spirits – typically, human spirits – to serve as a sort of psychic “telephone” between the spiritual and the physical.

• Channeling: The act of communicating with spirits to receive information. Often, this includes a process of invocation, and often, the information received is spoken or recorded while the spirit being communicated with uses the channeler as an instrument for their message. This practice, I feel, falls somewhere between ideas like mediumship and divination.

• Transdimensional Divination: Depending on how you view the inner workings of divination, this term could encompass all divination. In using the word “transdimensional”, however, I am referring specifically to the act of divination with an intention to communicate with beings across all of existence, including those within our own realm.

Note that this is by no means an exhaustive list. As I continue to study and explore and evolve on this path, so will this list grow to accommodate any undiscovered term which may fit within it. This goes, as well, for anyone who chooses to step onto the path of the realmwalker.

The Goals of the Realmwalking

Realmwalking is a living, open, self-exploratory practice. There are no strict rules or requirements to adhere to. The path of the realmwalker is as curious and unique as the person who walks it. The only requirement to be a “realmwalker” is to study and explore the in-between in any capacity. Curiosity is as good a goal as any, and truthfully, giving the term a code to abide by would feel really counterintuitive to its creation.

That said, in my own practice, the goal is to explore, to learn, to communicate, and to help others do the same. As a Priestess of Hekate, it only feels appropriate to follow dutifully in her footsteps – to bridge the gaps in body, mind, and spirit to the best of my ability. It is my belief that, in doing so, any insight I may obtain has the potential to be of tremendous benefit to us as a species.

A Theory of Realms

In my own explorations, studies, and experiences, I’ve developed a, sort of, working theory of realms. Similarly to the worlds of shamanic journeying, these realms are categorized into three categories: the Overworld, the Physical World, and the Underworld, each category encompassing the three or four realms which exist within it. It includes ideas developed from various mythos and exploratory belief systems, as well, and, ideally, this information may serve as a good jumping off point for those who wish to build on it.

We begin at the Overworld, a concept similar to things like the Upper World, Heaven, or Olympos. It is what some New Age thinkers would consider to be of a “higher” frequency, and the primordial beings of Aitheric Light who inhabit it are those who serve the Divine purposes of creation, growth, and organization. For visualization purposes, I will continue this explanation by referring to my list of realms from “top” to “bottom”, but note that this is perhaps only a tool to aid in comprehension and not quite so descriptive.

At the top of this visualized list of realms, we have the Khaos Realm. This is comparable to the idea of the Apeiron (ἄπειρον) or the Boundless as theorized by Anaximandros of Miletos. The Khaos Realm refers to a space – if it can even be called that – which exists far beyond linear comprehension. It is eternal and ageless, with no beginning and no end. It is from this realm which existence has sprung. It is the Void Womb which cradles All things, and you will notice that it appears again later when we discuss the Underworld. More than a line, my theory of realms views existence as an expansive and unending sphere, a bottomless and incomprehensible bowl of existential soup.

We then have the Kosmic Realm, which I would playfully refer to as reality’s headquarters, where the energies of Khaos are organized. In organizing entities, this is where I would place the Gods or the Divine, the first beings to spring to life from the void of the Khaos Realm. In my theory, there is an innate desire of the Divine to create new things, to grow and develop this existence, and to keep everything organized, just, and in the best possible order to facilitate that growth and development. This, I believe, sets the tone, in general, for the Overworld. It is possible that the majority of beings in the Overworld share these goals.

Just beneath that, we have the Angelic Realm. If the Kosmic Realm is the headquarters of reality, the Angelic Realm is the administrative office space. The beings here seem to have an innate service-to-others attitude and serve as these, sort of, assistants and messengers of the Divine. Part of that assistance includes, as you’d expect, the protection of the Divines and the thing they’ve created.

At the bottom of the Overworld, you’ll find the Astral Realm. In this theory, the Astral Realm is the gooey in-between filled with a multitude of traveling transdimensional energies. As with the Khaos Realm, you will notice that it appears again when we discuss the Underworld, as the Underworld has its own gooey in-between. Again, it may be that this realm is circular in nature, if its nature can even be defined in such a way. Given the energies present within this realm – and the potential purpose it serves – many people find it a particularly useful space for aiding in manifestation and all manners of space/time travel.

Moving on from the Overworld, we arrive in the Physical World, similar to the Middle World, which includes the sensual physical world as well as the spiritual overlays imposed on it. Compared to other realms described within this theory, the Physical World is a relaxed space, as the only goal of the beings who inhabit it is to simply exist and ensure continued existence.

At the top of this section may just be one of the nebulous realms (pun intended), the Galactic Realm. This encompasses the far reaches of the physical universe as we know it. It includes life, both physical and spiritual, which exists beyond Earth and up until the very precipice of the Physical World. The uncertain nature of this realm – with its many stories of “interdimensional” encounters and its consideration as a separate realm in some mythos – is what has earned it its own category within my theory.

Next, we have the Fae Realm, which is the spiritual overlay over our physical reality on Planet Earth – comparable, of course, to concepts like Faierie, Elphame, and Álfheimr. The beings who occupy this space include, in my book, not only things that would traditionally be considered Fae, but all earthbound Gaian-born spirits. Promethean humans, therefore, could be considered connected to this realm.

If you look around you’ll see where we are now – Point 0 – what I call the Gaian Realm. This refers specifically to this physical reality, but my theory does not deny the possibility of alternate physical realities and worlds. Relative to every being in every physical reality is their own Point 0.

Then we enter the mental space of the Dream Realm. Despite its name, my theory does not consider this space exclusive to dreams, but rather, to the subconscious and the mind’s eye. Besides the space where dreams and deep meditative visions occur, it is also the space where thoughtforms are born and, with enough gestation, become servitors. If my theory on the creative process and the birth of new universes has merit, this, as well, is where that process would begin. Additionally, it may be a direct connection to the collective consciousness, given that dream experiences seem to sometimes be shared or prophetic. The only way out is within, so they say, and that “within” space just may be the one I’m referring to here.

At the bottom of the Physical World, we have the Afterlife Realm, the Khthonic (meaning “of the earth”) space where beings go at the end of a linear incarnation. If things like reincarnation hold true, this realm would then function as a, sort of, waystation and rest stop to and between other existences.

Just beneath that, we come into the final section of realms, the Underworld, comparable to – you guessed it – the Lower World. As above, so below; the Underworld sits as an inverted reflection of the Overworld. It is what some New Age thinkers would consider to be of a “lower” frequency, and the primordial beings of Erebosian Darkness who inhabit it are all about primal freedom, discord, and rebellious independence.

Then we are once again in the Astral Realm. I told you we’d be seeing it again. Same deal. Gooey in-between filled with a multitude of traveling transdimensional energies. It is either a separate astral space or connected to the astral space of the Overworld. I’m inclined to believe the latter.

Where we see that rebellious energy most clearly, however, is in the Demonic Realm. People tend to consider the beings that dwell here to be inherently evil, but I think a more accurate descriptor would be a service-to-self attitude that stands opposite to the attitudes present within the Angelic Realm. It just so happens that a self-serving attitude can result in decisions which are harmful to others. In your favor, however, is the theory that these energies are so determined to promote freedom and independence that the result is free will. Though, it’s also possible that the spirits in the story of Pandora’s jar dwell here.

If Kosmic Realm represents the Everything, the Void Realm represents the Nothing. It is a space to simply be outside of our understanding of existence, a space where you are pure consciousness, unbound by any particular incarnation’s identity. It is total freedom, void of responsibility – void of everything. It is the universe’s take on a sensory deprivation chamber. To some, it is peace or an in-between. To others, it is the Tartarean prison where they are doomed to nothingness forever; oblivion.

Finally, as we make our way to the end of the circle before beginning again, we arrive once more in the Khaos Realm, the point where Everything and Nothing meet as one.

Now, keep in mind that this is just a theory – and a working one, at that, subject to change with whatever new insights and information I may be exposed to. Take what you need to explore these spaces for yourself, but do not take my ideas as gospel. There is a great deal out there yet to be discovered.

The Veiled Palace

The Veiled Palace is another fun term I’ve coined for what I consider to be an important part of my realmwalking practice. This is comparable to things like Mind Palaces and Waiting Rooms but assumes it to be as real and physical as possible regardless of whether it is a mental construct, an astral construct, or a space in another reality which we create for ourselves. In this way, it becomes as open a term as the term realmwalking itself. It is a private, highly customizable, heavily protected space which starts within and is built upon with regular meditative visits. For me, it is an actual palace – hence the term I chose for it – on a remote and beautiful Mediterranean-style island. For you, it can be absolutely anything you want it to be, but I’ll highlight just a few recommendations here:

• Develop and maintain strong protective wards. You should ensure that this place remains private and protected. The only other beings who should be able to enter this space should be able to do so by invitation only, and you should be able to remove that invitation at will, should you need to. You may also choose to develop a servitor to maintain and protect your Veiled Palace.

• Create sealable doorways into other realms. I find that in practices like shamanic journeying, astral travel, and reality shifting, people tend to have a lot of success utilizing visualization methods that implement doorways, archways, or portals. This is a companion tool for a practice of realmwalking, so it only makes sense to have a dedicated area in your Veiled Palace for this. As with a servitor for maintenance and protection, you may also wish to have a servitor to accompany and assist you in your realmwalking journeys.

• Create a library or database for tracking knowledge. In my Veiled Palace, I use a combination of the two. I have an office space for creating all records and a library organization.

• Create a tool or area for magick work. Magick is often thought to start in the mental or astral space to begin with. In my Veiled Palace, this is simply a candle that I can send my intention into.

• Create a tool or area for stirring up energies. I got this idea from Foolish Fish’s Mind Palace teachings, so for me, it’s a fireplace with various color flames representing various emotions and states of mind. This can be to stir up emotional energy or as a trigger to quickly get you into various states of mind just by envisioning the change in the space.

Above all, you want your Veiled Palace to be a place that you really enjoy visiting, and you want to make time to visit it often in order to add a stable stream of energy to its construction. In my Veiled Palace, there are areas to relax, areas to create, and areas to enjoy good food and music. I’ve also created an entire area for my working servitors to occupy and make their own, which allows me to interact with them, get to know them as they develop, and bond with them as they grow more energetically independent. If nothing else, a Veiled Palace can be a private escape from the monotony and doomsaying of modern existence, which we all need from time to time.

Starting on the Path

The terms and practices referenced in this article may be a bit more advanced than what you’d find in the primer articles I’ve been sharing for beginners recently. We’ll dive into and break down all of these topics in my relevant articles to come, but in the meantime, information on all of the facets of realmwalking already exists out there under the many names presented in the first section of this article.

If I had to give a blanket starting-off point, though, it would be the following: First, decide what your goal is in starting your journey with realmwalking, and be sure you have a set-up which can comfortably accompany you on that journey. Remember, this can be as simple as a journey of discovery brought on by curiosity. Second, start meditating regularly today. Consider meditation as important as physical exercise, and get into a good routine with it. Remember: “The only way out is within.” Third, approach all of this through the eyes of the Inner Child. When we meet exploration without the burdens of the cynical adult mind, we may discover far more than we do when we approach it with the subconscious goal of explaining it away.

To close, I’ll leave you with two tastes at hints of what may be: An appetizer on the Astral Projection Subreddit involving someone (and a handful of commentors) who seems to experience projecting into different lives entirely and a rich entrée recalling an assumed lucid dreaming experience which the poster dubs as “persistent realms”. Until our next exploration, I wish you the best on your journey between realms.

Want to learn more about the Path of the Realmwalker? Subscribe to The Witchy Housewife below to receive updates and stay tuned whenever I release a new article. No spam – just updates! )O(