Psychedelia - The Chemistry of Consciousness

In his hypothesis known as emanationism, the philosopher, Henri Bergson, suggested that the brain may act as a kind of “reducing valve” for cosmic consciousness. Researchers into the higher altered states of consciousness have found this to be a useful working hypothesis on the basis that psychedelics, meditation, fasting etc., perhaps reduce the brain’s efficiacy at keeping material out, thereby permitting reality to be perceived at a more fundamental level. Presumably the reason we do not perceive like this all the time is that such a starry-eyed state would not be conducive to the physical survival of the species. Neither would it give much opportunity for spiritual growth by taking up the challenge to be “in this world, but not of it”.

Magical morning gloryThe origins of witchcraft belong to an ancient heritage reaching far back into prehistory and worship of the Goddess. Before written language, domestication and agriculture, when wild Dionysus still reigned, witches were the traditional midwives, healers, herbalists and oracles of village and tribe.
Following Christianity's rise to power came the systematic annihilation of all pagan (non-Christian) religions. The church associated certain plants and animals with pagan worship, and claimed they were Satanic in nature.

Witch gargoyle, NY City HallThis same attitude is perpetuated today in America's longest war, the War on Drugs. The new Pharmacratic Inquisition is a flashback to past injustices. Falsely providing society with convenient scapegoats, while shielding us from the larger, more complex issues at the root.

Entheobotanical (Entheo is Greek for God generated from within) research into Europe's shamanic past now reconnects us with once this forbidden knowledge.

Ergot fungus, the fury of St Anthony.Ergot

The Eleusian Mysteries had been celebrated uninterrupted for two thousand years before their destruction by Christian forces in 395 AD. Held annually, the ceremony was open to all citizens. The Initiate was led into the Telesterion (Inner sanctum) where they ingested a hallucinogenic potion called the Kykeon. They left wonderstruck and forever changed.

The ergot fungus (Claviceps purpurea) was responsible for the miracle at Eleusis, and also the plague called Saint Anthony's Fire, a disease that brought victims on a desperate pilgrimage to the shrine of Saint Anthony for healing. During the Dark Ages, whenever grains became ergotized, (parasitized by the ergot fungus), this terrible fury would be unleashed.

AdvertisementDictated by seasonal conditions and growing cycles, people unknowingly consumed contaminated harvests. Claviceps purpurea contains alkaloids of the lysergic acid group. Those eating infected grain soon developed gangerous limbs which withered and fell away, along with delusions and hallucinations, symptoms attributed directly to the Devil's influence.


The golden skeleton of Atkopos.The Shaman/Witch realized that ergot could also be used for healing, enabling difficult births to be hastened without post-parturition hemorrhage. The key was in the dosages and methods of administration.

Eventually ergot crossed paths with the Swiss chemist Albert Hofmann, who in 1943 synthesized LSD-25, the most powerful hallucinogen then known, launching the psychedelic sixties
http://www.cannabisculture.com/articles/78.html
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In his hypothesis known as emanationism, the philosopher, Henri Bergson, suggested that the brain may act as a kind of “reducing valve” for cosmic consciousness. Researchers into the higher altered states of consciousness have found this to be a useful working hypothesis on the basis that psychedelics, meditation, fasting etc., perhaps reduce the brain’s efficiacy at keeping material out, thereby permitting reality to be perceived at a more fundamental level. Presumably the reason we do not perceive like this all the time is that such a starry-eyed state would not be conducive to the physical survival of the species. Neither would it give much opportunity for spiritual growth by taking up the challenge to be “in this world, but not of it”.

The highly esteemed scientist from the 60’s named John C. Lilly. John Lilly was popular in the 70’s for doing telepathic experiments with dolphins using ketamine. He also invented technology called "the Lilly wave", the technique was an electric current waveform with which animals could be stimulated through implanted electrodes for several hours per day for several months without causing irreversible changes in threshold by the passage of current through brain tissue.

John was also a ketmaine addict, and into metaphysics. He used to report speaking to "alien intelligence" while under the influence of ketamine induced NDE states (Near Death Experiences). He named these entities the E.C.C.O. (The Earth Coincidence Control Office). John used to go into these states and ask these "things" to reveal God to him. The whole story surrounding John, his life and his achievements are pretty bizarre.