Sacred Plants of The Shaman
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The Plants and Rituals of The Shaman
A Shaman practices ritual ceremonies or magic to heal sickness, divine the future, and facilitate communication between the natural and the supernatural world. These religious community leaders often use sacred plants and other techniques to induce a mind-altering trance-state.
-"The substances used in the practice of Shamanic ritual trances are called "entheogens" - literally meaning "creates god within" (en- "in, within," theo- "god, divine," -gen "creates, generates")."- Wikipedia
Many of these entheogenic substances come from plants such as; Ayahuasca, the San Pedro cactus, Amanita muscaria, Datura innoxia, and the Morning Glory.
Image: jeff.gaia.com/blog
Contents at a Glance
Plants of The Gods
Plants of the Gods: Their Sacred, Healing, and Hallucinogenic Powers
Amazon Price: $16.68 (as of 06/02/2012)
List Price: $29.95
"This superbly illustrated, encyclopedic volume provides a much needed, well-balanced scientific perspective on the use of hallucinogenic plants. Richard Evans Schultes, the worlds most eminent ethnobotanist, and Albert Hofmann, the former research director at Sandoz Pharmaceuticals, emphasize the need for continued education about both the potential benefits and the inherent dangers involved in the use of hallucinogens."
- Shaman's Drum
Amanita muscaria
Fly Agaric Mushrooms
Amanita muscaria is probably the world's oldest entheogen and has a wide religious significance in cultures ranging from Siberia, Mexico and into Eastern Asia.Identified by Gordon Wasson in 1966, as the ancient Soma drink referred to in the ancient Hindu scriptures (4000 BC) "Rig Veda" It's history is both Shamanic and magical in origin. It was used to enter a clairvoyant trance state and activate the shamanic powers of healing.
The common name, "Fly Agaric" in English is thought to have been derived from its European use as an insecticide, when sprinkled in milk.
All About Mushrooms!
Mushrooms Demystified
Amazon Price: $22.38 (as of 06/02/2012)
List Price: $39.99
Ayahuasca
Vine of The Soul, Vine of The Dead
The Tukanos and other Indians of the Amazon regard the Ayahuasca vine as a snake that can bring humans into the world of the spirits.Revered as the "vine of soul" or the "vine of the dead"; it is one of the main ingredients in sacred entheogenic brews. These ancient shamanic Ayahuasca or Caapi (Banisteriopsis caapi) brews have been used for thousands of years before Christ.
They are thought to contain an all-knowing divine intelligence, which contains the knowledge to guide and heal.
Source: Raffauf & Schultes 1992.
Datura Innoxia
Holy Flower of the North Star
The Datura plant has been used in shamanic religious rites for centuries throughout the American southwest and Mexico.Sacred to the ancient Aztecs, this plant contains toxic hallucinogens (tropane alkaloids, hyoscymine and scopalamine), and has a long history of causing delirium and death.
It is known as one of the "witches' weeds," along with deadly nightshade, henbane, and mandrake. Datura was well known as an essential ingredient of love potions and witches' brews and leaves were placed in pillows to help fight insomnia.
Image: ShamanicPlants.net
The Morning Glory
Ipomoea violacea
Morning Glory seeds, were used by the Aztecs to communicate with the Sun Gods.
Natives in Mexico (Oaxaca region) believe that a deity lives within the seeds. They are ritually used by Shamans to gain knowledge and to cure the sick. Their use continues in southern Mexico even today.
The seeds, in Spanish, are sometimes called semilla de la Virgen, "seeds of the Virgin Mary".
Heavenly Blue Morning Glorys
Heavenly Blue Morning Glory 1500 Seeds
Amazon Price: $5.99 (as of 06/02/2012)
Spectacular blue flowers make Heavenly Blue Morning Glory a popular climbing vine. Loves to "show off" on a trellis, fence, or arbor. After growing, you will see why this morning glory is called "HEAVENLY". Proper name: Ipomoea purpurea.
The San Pedro Cactus
The Cactus of The Four Winds
This species of cactus, San Pedro (Trichocereus pachanoi) contains mescalin, and has a very long history of sacred use in many pre-Columbian cultures.Archeological weavings and ceramic pottery found among the Chavin, Nazca, Moche, Chimu and Inca dating back to 1300-1500 BC show the San Pedro as a ritual power plant associated with gods and jaguars.
It is still consumed as a sacred drink, particularly in rituals high in the Andes and in a religious healing group from the Huancabamba Valley in Peru.
San Pedro Cactus was supposedly named after Saint Peter because it was, like Peter, thought to hold the keys to heaven.
Image: BasementShaman.com
Cactus and Succulent Guide
Complete Book of Cacti & Succulents
Amazon Price: $11.63 (as of 06/02/2012)
List Price: $20.00
The Complete Book of Cacti & Succulents features the history, cultivation, and imaginative use of more than 300 plants -- in step-by-step color stages. This is a feast of in-depth information and eye-catching photography.
Discover More About Shamanism on Amazon
Your Thoughts and Ideas
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RinchenChodron
Jan 14, 2012 @ 10:07 am | delete
- Well written and researched.
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mayapearl
Jan 3, 2011 @ 3:33 am | delete
- Great lens, as a coincidence we were talking about ayahuasca earlier on today and I came upon your lens in a roundabout way. Thumbs up
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spirituality Jul 31, 2009 @ 4:33 am | delete
- Great lens - you've been blessed by a squidoo angel :)
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