Emily Johnson
Shamans have been using psychedelic mushrooms for thousands of years, and their practices are now being studied by Western scientists for their potential therapeutic benefits. Mazatec shamanism, for example, involves the ritual ingestion of psilocybin mushrooms, known as the little ones that sprout or “holy children”, during nocturnal ceremonies called veladas. These ceremonies are guided by a shaman or chjota chinej and involve prayer, chanting, incense, and symbolic offerings. The shaman enters an ecstatic trance, allowing them to interact with sacred entities, ancestors, or spirits and facilitating healing, divination, and spiritual guidance. The mushrooms are believed to speak through the shaman's voice, guiding the ceremony and the healing process. While the use of psychedelic mushrooms for therapeutic purposes shows promise, it is important to approach these substances with caution and respect, understanding the cultural and spiritual significance they hold for Indigenous communities.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Reason for use | Initiation rite, healing ceremony, divination |
| Types of mushrooms used | Psilocybe mushrooms, Amanita muscaria, Salvia divinorum |
| Effects | Hallucinogenic, facilitates ecstatic trance |
| Administration | Ingestion, smoking |
| Usage | Not taken frivolously, used occasionally |
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What You'll Learn
To enter an ecstatic trance and interact with sacred entities
Shamans take mushrooms to enter an ecstatic trance and interact with sacred entities. The Mazatec people of Mexico, for example, have long used psilocybin mushrooms in their spiritual practices. Mazatec shamanism has its roots in the ancient Mesoamerican tradition.
The Mazatec shamans ingest psilocybe mushrooms, known as "the little ones that sprout" or “holy children.," during nocturnal ceremonies called veladas. These ceremonies involve prayer, chanting, incense, and symbolic offerings. The rituals are often conducted in quiet, dark environments, and participants fast and abstain from sexual activity beforehand.
During the trance state induced by the mushrooms, shamans may communicate with sacred entities, such as ancestors or spirits of nature, to discover the origin of an illness and provide relief to patients. The mushrooms are believed to speak through the shaman's voice, guiding the ceremony and the healing process. This type of trance is called a shamanic trance, where the shaman interacts with sacred entities with the help of visionary plants and mushrooms.
The use of psilocybin mushrooms in shamanic practices has drawn increasing interest from Westerners, with some seeking to participate in these rituals and others studying the potential therapeutic benefits of psychedelics for mental health conditions. However, it is important to approach these practices with respect and caution, as they are sacred traditions that should not be commodified or misused.
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To diagnose illness, find lost objects or seek spiritual guidance
Shamans take psilocybin mushrooms, also known as "magic mushrooms" or "entheogenic mushrooms", for a variety of reasons. One of the primary purposes is to facilitate healing ceremonies and address individuals with severe medical or psychological problems. Mazatec shamans, for example, have used fresh Salvia divinorum leaves in their rituals, which involve quiet introspection after ingesting the leaves. The shamans believe that the mushrooms themselves are sacred entities that communicate wisdom and healing.
The shamanic trance state, induced by the mushrooms, allows shamans to interact with sacred entities, ancestors, or spirits of nature, such as mountains, rivers, and lakes. Through this interaction, they can discover the origin of illnesses and provide relief to their patients. This belief in the sacredness of mushrooms is reflected in the indigenous worldview, where mushrooms are not considered a drug or psychoactive substance but rather a means to connect with the divine.
In addition to healing, shamans may also use mushrooms to find lost objects or track down stolen possessions. Anthropologists have reported that some cultures use hallucinogenic compounds for this purpose, as well as to locate game for hunting. Mushrooms are believed to act as a "postal service" of sorts, providing information and guidance.
The use of mushrooms by shamans often involves specific rituals and ceremonies, such as the Mazatec veladas, which take place at night and involve prayer, chanting, incense, and symbolic offerings. These ceremonies are guided by the shaman, who may enter a trance state to seek spiritual guidance and communicate with sacred entities. The shaman's ability to navigate these altered states of consciousness and return with insight is a key aspect of their role in serving both the community and the divine.
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To address severe medical or psychological problems
Shamans have been known to use hallucinogenic mushrooms for healing ceremonies and rituals, addressing individuals with severe medical or psychological problems. The roots of Mazatec shamanism, widely recognized for its ritual use of psilocybin mushrooms, extend to the ancient Mesoamerican tradition. Mazatec shamans believe that mushrooms are not merely substances but conscious entities capable of communicating wisdom and healing. Their ingestion of these mushrooms often occurs during nocturnal ceremonies known as veladas, which involve prayer, chanting, incense, and symbolic offerings.
The use of psilocybin mushrooms facilitates an ecstatic trance through which the shaman may diagnose illness, find lost objects or souls, and seek spiritual guidance. In the shamanic world, these compounds are only administered for very specific reasons, such as initiation rites or healing ceremonies. The shaman's role implies a lifelong commitment to serving both the community and the divine, and they are known for their ability to enter and return from trance states with insight, directing the healing process for others effectively.
In the early 1950s, an amateur mycologist, R. Gordon Wasson, ventured to the highlands of North Central Mexico and was introduced to the use of mushrooms in healing ceremonies by a local indigenous healer named Maria Sabina. Sabina allowed Wasson to take her picture on the condition that he kept it private, but he broke his promise and published her name and that of her community, leading to negative consequences. Wasson's experience with Sabina and his subsequent publicity of his encounter in 1955 increased international interest in Mazatec shamanism and the ritual use of psilocybin mushrooms.
In addition to psilocybin mushrooms, Mazatec shamans may also use other visionary plants such as Salvia divinorum (Ska Pastora) or seeds from Rivea corymbosa and Ipomoea violacea ("Seeds of the Virgin") when mushrooms are not in season. The selection of plants depends on the shaman's specialization, the season, and the patient's needs. The ritual ingestion of these plants often takes place in quiet, dark environments, sometimes within the shaman's home or a designated ceremonial space, decorated with candles, incense, flowers, and Catholic imagery.
While the use of hallucinogenic mushrooms in shamanic practices has a long history, it is important to note that there is limited information available about the specific rituals and practices of different tribes and shamanic traditions.
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To communicate with nature and receive wisdom
Shamans have been using mushrooms for centuries to facilitate communication with nature and receive wisdom. The roots of Mazatec shamanism, widely recognized for its ritual use of psilocybin mushrooms, extend to the ancient Mesoamerican tradition. Mazatec shamans believe that mushrooms are not just substances, but conscious entities capable of communicating wisdom and healing.
The use of mushrooms in shamanic practices often involves ritual ingestion during nocturnal ceremonies known as veladas, which involve prayer, chanting, incense, and symbolic offerings. The rituals are typically conducted in quiet, dark environments, often within the shaman's home or a designated ceremonial space. During these ceremonies, shamans may enter a trance state, allowing them to interact with sacred entities, ancestors, or spirits of nature, such as caves, mountains, rivers, and lakes.
The shaman's ability to enter and return from trance states with insight is a crucial aspect of their practice. They believe that the mushrooms speak through their voices, guiding the ceremony and the healing process. For example, the chants of Maria Sabina, a Mazatec shaman, personify time as a giant snake that binds the past, present, and future. This communication with sacred entities is a central feature of the worldview of Indigenous peoples, who believe that mushrooms should not be considered a drug or psychoactive substance.
Shamans also use other visionary plants and mushrooms, such as Salvia divinorum, depending on the patient's illness, the time of year, and the shaman's specialization. The wisdom of the Mazatec shamans lies in their knowledge of each plant's properties and their different uses. Shamans are initiated through a gradual process that often involves visionary experiences, spiritual callings, and rigorous training in ritual speech, knowledge of medicinal plants, and navigating altered states of consciousness.
While the specific rituals and practices may vary across different tribes and cultures, the use of mushrooms in shamanism has a long history and continues to draw interest from those seeking healing, wisdom, and a deeper connection with nature.
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To induce hallucinations and gain spiritual insight
Shamans have used hallucinogenic mushrooms for centuries to induce hallucinations and gain spiritual insight. The practice has been documented in various cultures worldwide, including the indigenous Sami people of Lapland and the Mazatec people of Mexico.
The Mazatec people, for example, have a long history of using psilocybin mushrooms in their spiritual practices. Their shamans, known as chjota chinej, believe that the mushrooms are not merely substances but conscious entities capable of communicating wisdom and healing. During nocturnal ceremonies called veladas, Mazatec shamans ingest Psilocybe mushrooms, known as "the little ones that sprout" or "holy children," to enter a trance state and interact with sacred entities. This interaction allows them to discover the origin of illnesses and provide relief to their patients.
The indigenous Sami people of Lapland also hold hallucinogenic mushrooms in high regard. Their shamans would perform healing rituals using Amanita muscaria, a red-and-white toadstool fungus considered holy. The shamans would dress up like the mushrooms, often having to enter houses through chimneys due to heavy snowfall, and act as conduits between the spirit and human worlds.
In addition to inducing hallucinations, shamanic use of mushrooms is believed to facilitate spiritual insight and communication with sacred entities. The mushrooms are thought to speak through the shaman's voice, guiding the ceremony and healing process. This belief is supported by individuals like Heriberto Prado Pereda, who describes the personification and communication with sacred entities as central to the worldview of Indigenous peoples.
While the specific rituals and practices vary among different tribes and cultures, the fundamental idea of using mushrooms to induce hallucinations and gain spiritual insight persists. In modern times, there has been a resurgence of interest in the therapeutic potential of psychedelics, including shamanic mushroom use, with researchers exploring their ability to treat mental health conditions such as PTSD and treatment-resistant depression.
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Frequently asked questions
Shamans take mushrooms to enter a trance state and communicate with sacred entities. The shaman acts as a conduit between the spirit and human world, bringing gifts of introspection that can solve the family’s problems.
Shamans take psilocybin mushrooms, which have hallucinogenic properties.
The ritual use of psilocybin mushrooms has roots in ancient Mesoamerican tradition. Mazatec shamanism, widely recognized for its ritual use of psilocybin mushrooms, has deep roots in the spiritual traditions of pre-Hispanic Mesoamerica.
