The Wondrous Mushroom: Mycolatry in Mesoamerica

About this book

"From now on any comprehensive study of Ancient Mexican civilization must start from (and with) your discoveries."Octavio Paz "The late Mr. Wasson is the Abraham of the reborn awareness in Western civilization of the presence of the shamanically empowering mushroom."Terrence McKenna In 1957 Life magazine created a sensation by publishing an article about the experiences of a JP Morgan executive who took mind-altering mushrooms with a shaman woman in Mexico. The story captured the imagination of a generation inspiring waves of intellectuals artists and seekers to travel in search of the mushrooms and the indigenous healer Maria Sabina. Today Gordon Wasson is credited with having triggered the psychedelic revolution and his influence lives on through the growing community of people who study indigenous spirituality sacred plants and their role in personal transformation. In celebration of Wassons pioneering work we present a reprint of his classic The Wondrous Mushroom an in-depth study of shamanic realities mushrooms and traditions connecting contemporary practices to pre-Conquest art architecture and culture. The book begins with Wassons first experiences taking mushrooms going into a wealth of details about sacred indigenous ceremonies culture and practices. The Wondrous Mushroom reflects a lifetime of studies personal experiences and reflections on shamanism culture community well-being healing and spiritual strength. Long out of print this new edition is a must-have for anyone interested in the history of psychedelics. Gordon R. Wasson (1898-1986) founded the field of "enthnomycology" and was considered the preeminent authority on the use of psychoactive mushrooms.