I am 36 and a half weeks pregnant and dilated to a one is there any safe ways to begin labor? I have heard of castor oil but that can be harmful and I don't want to do anything that could harm the baby.

I never trusted any of the "old wives tales" like castor oil... I didn't want to cause harm, or make myself sick.
But another "tale" that I've heard of... that of course won't cause harm... is having sex. It is said, something in the ejaculate can stimulate the cervix.

I just did a lot of walking. I walked up and down stairs... that did the trick for me :)

Walking, sex, evening primrose oil (preps the cervix). Drinking some red raspberry leaf tea is supposed to help prep the uterus as well. You could also try eating spicy food. When you are ready to go into labor I have heard to get a pedicure. There are pressure points all around the ankle just under the bone that can cause contractions. Also, nipple stimulation can cause contractions. Sex is definitely the best, at least for me. Whatever is in the ejaculate really works for me. I've been told to use condoms until 37 weeks because sex has caused me to have contractions. If you orgasm it increases the chance of going in to labor, as your orgasm will cause contractions as well.

Although 36 weeks may be considered full term, I advise that you don't use any of these "tricks" to begin labor. Your baby's lungs aren't ready yet, there is not enough surfactant for the lungs to work properly at this stage of gestation.

Labor will come when baby and your body are good and ready. Anything you do now, could cause complications with your baby.

Now, at 40 weeks, feel free to try all of these and then some.

Please don't do anything - leave it to nature - she knows best!!