Entheogenic Medicines

The term entheogenic means finding God within. By working with entheogenic medicines we can commune with the divine, creating primary spiritual experiences. A primary spiritual experience is one in which you have a direct experience with your infinite, spiritual (or soul) self; personal contact with the divine. Each medicine helps us connect to different aspects of our infinite self, giving us valuable information we can use to navigate our reality. We integrate what we learn from the medicines, from the divine, and from within, ultimately allowing us to grow and expand into alignment with our higher selves.

All medicines should be taken sacredly and with respect. Always say a blessing over your medicine, thanking the spirit of the medicine for allowing you access to this communion. Set your intentions each time you sit with a medicine. Sit ceremonially, in a sacred way, with medicines that call you into their presence. Remember to be ready to surrender to the medicine coming into each experience with no expectations. 

                                                                                                     

                                                                                                           

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tobacco

Tobacco is a plant medicine used by native tribes for healing and spiritual insight. This medicine is classified as psychoactive (mind-altering). It contains a molecule called Nicotine that binds with our body’s nicotinic acetylcholine receptors providing a medicine we are naturally ready to accept. One way we use tobacco is in the form of Hapé. This medicine is made with Nicotiana Rustica and other medicinal plants. The plants are crushed into a powder that is applied through the nostrils. Ancient Awakenings makes its own Hapé blends working with the Spirit of the medicine as a guide. Another way we use tobacco is in the form of Ambil which is a tobacco paste. This paste is applied by rubbing it on the gums and holding the tobacco in your mouth for an extended time. We also use tobacco in rolled form that is smoked but not inhaled. This is normally referred to as Mapacho. This medicine experience can last anywhere from 10 minutes up to an hour or more. 

Tobacco medicine is grounded in a powerful masculine warrior energy. It connects us back to the Earth and opens our hearts. It helps connect our heart and third-eye chakras allowing us to see love with divine sight. We come before Grandfather Tobacco in respect and reverence surrendering to His gifts of invigoration and renewal. We walk forward with His strength flowing through our entire being allowing us to stand grounded and firm in this existence.  

Here at AATHA, we use tobacco throughout a retreat weekend. We have a tobacco circle before a guided meditation to allow ease of access to the ethereal (spiritual) space. We also open our Sacrament Ceremony with this medicine with the additional intention of bringing in the protection of its warrior spirit. Hapé is available throughout Sacrament Ceremony for those who may need help navigating their journey. This medicine can help break a loop (a repeating cycle during a psychedelic journey) that is sometimes experienced. It can also help ground (help you feel firmly rooted in and connected to the Earth)  you during your journey or help propel you to another level of experience. We also use Mapacho during ceremonies to bless the medicine and for cleansing in the medicine space. 

                                                                                                                 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cannabis

Cannabis (Ganja) is another medicine we use that is classified as psychoactive (mind-altering). This beautiful medicine comes to us from the Cannabis Sativa plant. The flowers of this plant contain a molecule called tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) that provides a host of medicinal benefits. THC binds to the body’s natural cannabinoid receptors allowing us access to all its healing benefits. The flowers of this plant can be ground and smoked (or vaped) providing an instant effect in the body. You can also orally ingest the THC. Onset using oral ingestion is 30 minutes to 1.5 hours. This medicine experience will last around 2-4 hours.

Cannabis brings a calming of the mind and body and is known traditionally to be a more feminine energy. She provides a peaceful but powerful energy that allows us to easily flow in this world. This medicine is an amplifier so it will intensify your current experience. She works well with other medicines to help expand their power. 

In our medicine space, we use Cannabis when we offer CannaStretch. This is a gentle Yoga class that is done while smoking Cannabis allowing the medicine to work through the body with each inhale. We also commune with this medicine during Sacrament Ceremony. Cannabis and Psilocybin weave a beautiful web of Divine energy together, allowing us to expand into new realms. Cannabis is only offered during ceremonies to those who work with her often and are familiar with her amplifying powers. 

We say a prayer over the medicine to begin our communion; ॐ गञ्जा गुरु गञ्जा शान्ति शान्ति शान्ति. We pray to the medicine; Om Ganja, Guru Ganja, Shanti, Shanti, Shanti. May this glorious Goddess connect, teach, and bring us peace. Please spend some time in prayer with the Spirit of this medicine if you plan to work with her in our space.

         

 

 

 

 

 

 

Psilocybin

Here at AATHA, we commune with the Spirit of the Sacred Mushroom. We take Her medicine as our Sacrament. This medicine comes to us inside of mushrooms called Psilocybe cubensis. They contain a molecule called Psilocybin that, once converted to Psilocin, binds with our body’s serotonin receptors creating a sense of peace and connection. This medicine is a psychedelic (mind-manifesting) medicine also known as a hallucinogen. She has the potential to create a profound connection with all that is, allowing us to have experiences that are beyond this reality (primary spiritual experiences). We call this medicine experience our Light Ceremony as we connect with our light within and without. This ceremony normally lasts around 4-6 hours.

We come to this Spirit to gain access to its ancient wisdom. The medicine provides a reconnection by which we are able to remember who we truly are, our true nature or natural essence. With this knowledge recaptured, we can find new ways to walk in this reality. We say that “the medicine shines a light in the dark to help us find our way home.” The truth that we tend to come to understand, is that we had the power within us all along and when we surrender to this truth we can step into our purpose and the existence we were born to experience.

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Syrian Rue

This medicine comes from the seeds of the Peganum harmala plant. The molecules contained in this plant are monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs). An MAOI will stop the removal of neurotransmitters norepinephrine, serotonin, and dopamine from the brain leaving us with an increased amount of all of these “feel good” chemicals. There is a strict diet involved 24 hours before ingesting this medicine. In our space, guests participating in this type of retreat will be provided meals that meet the food requirements this medicine requires. Please consult your doctor if you are taking any prescription medications as many have interactions with MAOIs. 

Syrian Rue is used alone to provide access to a place of peace, flow, and ease. She will guide you into a dreamlike state that you can feel throughout your entire body. Within her gentleness, you will find yourself slowing down and allowing you to experience life more fully. She also provides an ease of access to the divine. Meditations and dreams are enhanced as she guides us into the other realms.

PsiloRue

Syrian Rue can also be used with our Sacrament to create a powerful, deep connection with all layers of reality. Since the Rue is an MAOI it slows down the elimination of the psilocin thus extending the journey. The intensity of the medicine will also be increased. A standard mushroom journey is around 4-6 hours. With this medicine added, the experience will be 8-10 hours long. We call this ceremony our Shadow Ceremony as these medicines allow us access to the depths of ourselves. We offer these ceremonies a few times a year and they are intended for those who have sat with our Sacrament before and wish to go deeper.

         

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sananga

Sananga is a plant medicine used by native South American tribes for spiritual, emotional, and physical healing. It has been shown to help heal eye ailements such as conjunctivitis and cataracts. It is in the form of an eye drop that is made from the roots of the Tabernaemontana undulata shrub. It is applied directly to the eyes; one or two drops to the corner of each tightly shut eye. Then the eyes are opened to experience the medicine. A 21-day regimen is recommended for deep healing.

This medicine provides a powerful tool for moving stagnant energy from our bodies. When we surrender to this medicine we feel our flow return as we release all that no longer serves us. With this energy removed, we are also given new insight with improved clarity. We are physically and spiritually able to see more than we could ever see before. With crystal vision rooted in the divine, we walk forward with ease.