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Psychedelic Mystery Traditions: Spirit Plants, Magical Practices, and Ecstatic States
A comprehensive look at the long tradition of psychedelic magic and religion in Western Civilization
• Explores the use of psychedelics and entheogens from Neolithic times through Antiquity, the Middle Ages, and the Renaissance to the Victorian era and beyond
• Reveals how psychedelics were integrated into pagan and Christian magical practices and demonstrates how one might employ a psychedelic agent for divination, sex magic, alchemy, communication with gods, and more
• Examines the role of entheogens in the Mysteries of Eleusis in Greece, the worship of Isis in Egypt, the Dionysian mysteries, and the magical practices of the Thessalian witches as well as Jewish, Roman, and Gnostic traditions
Unbeknownst--or unacknowledged--by many, there is a long tradition of psychedelic magic and religion in Western civilization. As Thomas Hatsis reveals, the discovery of the power of psychedelics and entheogens can be traced to the very first prehistoric expressions of human creativity, with a continuing lineage of psychedelic mystery traditions from antiquity through the Renaissance to the Victorian era and beyond.
Describing how, when, and why different peoples in the Western world utilized sacred psychedelic plants, Hatsis examines the full range of magical and spiritual practices that include the ingestion of substances to achieve altered states. He discusses how psychedelics facilitated divinatory dream states for our ancient Neolithic ancestors and helped them find shamanic portals to the spirit world. Exploring the mystery religions that adopted psychedelics into their occult rites, he examines the role of entheogens in the Mysteries of Eleusis in Greece, the worship of Isis in Egypt, and the psychedelic wines and spirits that accompanied the Dionysian mysteries. The author investigates the magical mystery traditions of the Thessalian witches as well as Jewish, Roman, and Gnostic traditions. He reveals how psychedelics were integrated into pagan and Christian magical practices and demonstrates how one might employ a psychedelic agent for divination, magic, alchemy, or god and goddess invocation. He explores the use of psychedelics by Middle Eastern and medieval magicians and looks at the magical use of cannabis and opium from the Crusaders to Aleister Crowley.
From ancient priestesses and Christian gnostics, to alchemists, wise-women, and Victorian magicians, Hatsis shows how psychedelic practices have been an integral part of the human experience since Neolithic times.
• Explores the use of psychedelics and entheogens from Neolithic times through Antiquity, the Middle Ages, and the Renaissance to the Victorian era and beyond
• Reveals how psychedelics were integrated into pagan and Christian magical practices and demonstrates how one might employ a psychedelic agent for divination, sex magic, alchemy, communication with gods, and more
• Examines the role of entheogens in the Mysteries of Eleusis in Greece, the worship of Isis in Egypt, the Dionysian mysteries, and the magical practices of the Thessalian witches as well as Jewish, Roman, and Gnostic traditions
Unbeknownst--or unacknowledged--by many, there is a long tradition of psychedelic magic and religion in Western civilization. As Thomas Hatsis reveals, the discovery of the power of psychedelics and entheogens can be traced to the very first prehistoric expressions of human creativity, with a continuing lineage of psychedelic mystery traditions from antiquity through the Renaissance to the Victorian era and beyond.
Describing how, when, and why different peoples in the Western world utilized sacred psychedelic plants, Hatsis examines the full range of magical and spiritual practices that include the ingestion of substances to achieve altered states. He discusses how psychedelics facilitated divinatory dream states for our ancient Neolithic ancestors and helped them find shamanic portals to the spirit world. Exploring the mystery religions that adopted psychedelics into their occult rites, he examines the role of entheogens in the Mysteries of Eleusis in Greece, the worship of Isis in Egypt, and the psychedelic wines and spirits that accompanied the Dionysian mysteries. The author investigates the magical mystery traditions of the Thessalian witches as well as Jewish, Roman, and Gnostic traditions. He reveals how psychedelics were integrated into pagan and Christian magical practices and demonstrates how one might employ a psychedelic agent for divination, magic, alchemy, or god and goddess invocation. He explores the use of psychedelics by Middle Eastern and medieval magicians and looks at the magical use of cannabis and opium from the Crusaders to Aleister Crowley.
From ancient priestesses and Christian gnostics, to alchemists, wise-women, and Victorian magicians, Hatsis shows how psychedelic practices have been an integral part of the human experience since Neolithic times.
288 pages, Paperback
Published September 11, 2018
11 people are currently reading
176 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
October 20, 2020
Contrary to popular belief Psychadelics have played a major role in the development of Western spirituality. Spiritualists have been using Psychadelic since the days of the Bible. Such Psychadelic pharmacon would include opium, cannabis,henbane, mandrake root, mushroom etc. They have been used to access the divine, empower magic, cause deities to materialize you name it,
Going back to biblical times. We have Kane Bose or sweet cane being used in rituals and in healing aids. Sweet cane is Cannabis. It may well have been present in the incense they used in their rituals. Jesus used it to heal in his anointing oil. Many Christian sects especially Gnostic Christians used psychadelics in their rituals as a way to becoming closer to god. When Pagans converted to the new faith they often brought their use of psychadelics with them. Most Christians had a taste for mandrake root as it resembled a man.
The Greeks and Romans made use of many Psychadelic plants. Most noted are the mystery traditions associated with Dionysus and Demeter. Dionysus was associated with wine and his followers were known for their drunk revelries. The Eleusinian mysteries was about going down to the netherworld in a shamanistic experience. Other deities associated with magic also had knowledge of Psychadelic plants.
Indeed Circe and Madea both associated with Hekate had knowledge of plants and how to use them. Plant knowledge most likely goes back to the first women who learned how to use them . This was feminine based spirituality. They had the access.
Fairy women in Europe knew all about these plants and were often the village healers.
The Church when converting Pagans often used psychadelics themselves. The incense often contained psychoactive chemicals. This would make a believer out of anyone. Plus pagans brought their psychadelics with them.
Throughout Medieval times psychadelics were used in high magical rituals. Apothecaries gave magicians access to these p,us a whole lot more. The use of psychadelics only became demonized over time when it was associated with witchcraft.
This is one great book. Not only does it give the hisotry of psychadelics in western spirituality but it also teaches one different angles of the myths we know and loved. Look forward to reading more by this author.
Going back to biblical times. We have Kane Bose or sweet cane being used in rituals and in healing aids. Sweet cane is Cannabis. It may well have been present in the incense they used in their rituals. Jesus used it to heal in his anointing oil. Many Christian sects especially Gnostic Christians used psychadelics in their rituals as a way to becoming closer to god. When Pagans converted to the new faith they often brought their use of psychadelics with them. Most Christians had a taste for mandrake root as it resembled a man.
The Greeks and Romans made use of many Psychadelic plants. Most noted are the mystery traditions associated with Dionysus and Demeter. Dionysus was associated with wine and his followers were known for their drunk revelries. The Eleusinian mysteries was about going down to the netherworld in a shamanistic experience. Other deities associated with magic also had knowledge of Psychadelic plants.
Indeed Circe and Madea both associated with Hekate had knowledge of plants and how to use them. Plant knowledge most likely goes back to the first women who learned how to use them . This was feminine based spirituality. They had the access.
Fairy women in Europe knew all about these plants and were often the village healers.
The Church when converting Pagans often used psychadelics themselves. The incense often contained psychoactive chemicals. This would make a believer out of anyone. Plus pagans brought their psychadelics with them.
Throughout Medieval times psychadelics were used in high magical rituals. Apothecaries gave magicians access to these p,us a whole lot more. The use of psychadelics only became demonized over time when it was associated with witchcraft.
This is one great book. Not only does it give the hisotry of psychadelics in western spirituality but it also teaches one different angles of the myths we know and loved. Look forward to reading more by this author.
December 4, 2018
I liked this book. It was informative and engaging. I wasn't sure I'd like it at first but it grew in me. I was mostly taken by the history of 'pharmakon' use in Christianity. There were a few moments when he lost me due to a too academic language (mostly the first couple chapters in witches), but for the most part his poetic narrative style was fun and enticing.
*** I received this book as a review copy from the publisher. It was for me to study their work in preparation for an interview on my podcast, upon my request. My review here has nothing to that exchange except for the fact that I was given the book to read. Just wanted to be transparent on that.
*** I received this book as a review copy from the publisher. It was for me to study their work in preparation for an interview on my podcast, upon my request. My review here has nothing to that exchange except for the fact that I was given the book to read. Just wanted to be transparent on that.
March 24, 2022
A historical overview of psychedelics their uses and cultural significance. Well written and clear and concise . A great book for anyone interested in this fascinating topic.
February 29, 2020
Psychedelic Mystery Traditions is one of the best books I have read about psychedelics. The author discusses the uses of psychedelics throughout history. It's not just a book about plants that make you "trip balls".
In the introduction Hatsis explains the differences between psychedelics and entheogens. He further breaks down the terms for the reader to understand. Hatsis splits the book into three sections: Psychedelics in early human history, Psychedelics in Ancient Christianity, and Psychedelics in Renaissance witchcraft and Magic.
The reader learns how psychedelics affected humanity. Helped early human process their emotions. Used to find answers about the world which lead to the formation of mythology and lore. Responsible for creating art and music and not just debauchery.
The sections on Paganism and Renaissance were the most engaging for me. Hatsis addresses Goddess worship and over time how that transformed into witchcraft. In addition, Hatsis discusses where the stereotype of a witch comes from.
Overall, this book was well written and stimulating.
In the introduction Hatsis explains the differences between psychedelics and entheogens. He further breaks down the terms for the reader to understand. Hatsis splits the book into three sections: Psychedelics in early human history, Psychedelics in Ancient Christianity, and Psychedelics in Renaissance witchcraft and Magic.
The reader learns how psychedelics affected humanity. Helped early human process their emotions. Used to find answers about the world which lead to the formation of mythology and lore. Responsible for creating art and music and not just debauchery.
The sections on Paganism and Renaissance were the most engaging for me. Hatsis addresses Goddess worship and over time how that transformed into witchcraft. In addition, Hatsis discusses where the stereotype of a witch comes from.
Overall, this book was well written and stimulating.
March 16, 2022
Impossible read because of the number of sidesteps taken, the number of farfetched names and quotes. Not a very clear and comprehensive tale of the history and tradition of psychedelics, as the title and covertext would imply…
December 11, 2018
I reviewed this for Spiral Nature online magazine....and read a review copy.
December 13, 2020
Short and sweet and to the point! However brief it is jam packed with material those interested in psychedelia/mystery traditions can enjoy. Some of the Christian perspectives were hard to wrap my head around but I won’t say that negates from the book simply because I couldn’t understand. My only criticism is that it could’ve been longer, but otherwise an excellent read! Perfect for the modern psychonaut!
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews