Mushrooms, myth, and Mithras : the drug cult that civilized Europe

This illustrated book traces the history of an unlikely force in the shaping of Western civilization: the use of psychedelic mushrooms, namely by a secret society called the cult of Mithras. Nero was the first emperor to be initiated by the group’s “magical dinners,” and most of his successors embraced the ritual as a source of spiritual transcendence. The cult was officially banned after the Conversion, but aspects of their rituals were assimilated or co-opted by Christianity, and the brotherhoods persist today as secret societies such as the Freemasons. This is a fascinating exploration of a powerful force kept behind the scenes for thousands of years. Anthropological Evidence Has Long Suggested That Psychedelic Plants Have Played Important Roles In Indigenous Communities For Thousands Of Years, But Most Scholarship Does Not Address Their Formative Impact On Western Culture. Through Careful Studies Of Art And Archeology, Mushrooms, Myth Mithras Reveals Compelling Evidence That Ritual Use Of Psychedelic Mushrooms Was A Powerful And Closely Guarded Inspirational Force In The Development Of Early European Culture. We Discover That Nero Was The First In A Long Line Of Roman Emperors To Be Initiated By Secret Magical Dinners In Which Mind-altering Mushrooms Were Used As A Source Of Spiritual Awakening. Although This Sect Was Officially Banned After Roman Conversion To Christianity, Aspects Of Its Practices And Teachings Went On To Influence Many Subsequent Secret Societies, Including The Freemasons. --book Jacket. Preamble : The First Supper: The Shamanic Origin Of Religion -- Preface : Also Sprach Zarathustra -- The Entheogenic Eucharist Of Mithras -- Becoming One With God -- The Water Miracle -- Death By Bull's Blood -- Ass's Ears -- Fire, Mushrooms, And Sexual Procreation / R. Gordon Wasson -- Mushrooms, Gorgons, And The Spring Of Perseus -- Menhirs -- Attis Under The Same Cap -- The Persian, Keeper Of The Fruits -- Pater, Magister Sacrorum -- A God For The End Of Time -- The Drama In The Sky -- Freemasonry And The Survival Of The Eucharistic Brotherhoods. Carl A.p. Ruck, Mark A. Hoffman, José Alfredo González Celdrán. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 283-285) And Index. Cover Title Page Copyright Contents Prelude: The First Supper: Entheogens and the Origin of Religion Preface: Also Sprach Zarathustra One: The Entheogenic Eucharist of Mithras Two: Becoming One with God Three: The Water Miracle Four: Death by Bull’s Blood Five: Mushrooms, Gorgons, and the Spring of Perseus Six: Attis under the Same Cap Seven: Pater, Magister Sacrorum Eight: A God for the End of Time Nine: The Bread of Heaven Ten: The Drama in the Sky Eleven: Freemasonry and the Survival of the Eucharistic Brotherhoods Envoi Appendix: The Mirgia Mushroom Among the Mithraic Yezidi Notes Bibliography Index About the Authors A fascinating tour of the mushroom-centered mystery religions which have profoundly influenced Western civilization.