Alexander Shester

VISIONARY HEALING Psychedelic Medicine and Shamanism Alexander Shester

A psychedelic renaissance is taking place worldwide for those who wish to develop a more comprehensive awareness of themselves and the planet. The proper usage of entheogens can lift the veil from our consensus reality, allowing ordinary individuals to experience a broader field of awareness. These sacred medicines can provide access to expand insights and the possibility of lasting behavioral transformation previously available only to privileged mystics. This book will familiarize and prepare the reader for psychonautical voyages by means of an introduction to several powerful psychedelic medicines, sometimes called hallucinogens or entheogens. It is intended for both the novice and the more experienced seeker. It includes personal memoirs describing the sacred usage of psilocybin mushrooms, ayahuasca, iboga, San Pedro cactus, peyote, and DMT by the author for healing, revisioning of the natural world, and developing a relationship with the spirit domain. Additional sacred medicines and their use in different cultures throughout history are described. The reader will learn details about numerous mind-altering plants and chemicals, as well as the current use of shamanic methods toward an enhanced understanding of the sacred and safe use of various psychedelic medicines. A vision quest model with shamanic techniques and meditations is provided, which can be utilized with or without medicines. Examples of meditations are provided which could assist in orienting the reader to the transpersonal journey and honoring the natural world.




The book contains a large number of visionary color art images by the author and other artists, diagrams, and photographs to visually illustrate the described encounters with transpersonal entities. Also included some music suggestions to use during a journey experience.




TABLE OF CONTENTS




Section One / SHAMANISM AND PLANT MEDICINES

-What is Shamanism?

-My Background

-Preparation for a Medicine Journey or Vision Quest

-An Earth Vision Circle Structured by Ralph Metzner

-Meditations to Structure a Vision Circle

-The Shadow Side of Psychedelics




Section Two / PSYCHEDELICS MEDICINES AND EXPERIENCES

-A Personal Ayahuasca Medicine Journey

-About Ayahuasca

-Jurema and "The Surgeon from Outer Space"

-Jaguar Medicine: Toad (5-MeO-DMT)

-A Psilocybin Journey

-About Psilocybin Mushrooms

-A San Pedro Cactus Journey in Joshua Tree

-About San Pedro Cactus (Cachuma)

-Peyote (Lophophora williamsii)

-About Peyote as Medicine

-Earth Vision Circle at Joshua Tree: Iboga Experience

-About Iboga

-A Week-long Vision Circle at Ocamura, New Mexico

-Vision Quest Experience: A Week in Temagami, Ontario, Canada Without Medicines




Section Three / MORE SHAMANIC LORE: OTHER SACRED MEDICINES

-Solanaceae: Witches, Brews, Love Potions, Werewolves, and Headhunters

-Salvia Divinorum: Herb of the Shepherdess

-Amanita Muscaria: Santa Claus as Shaman

-Snuff Stuff: Yopo and Cebil

-Khat (Catha edulis): The Sacred Plant of Ancient Egypt

-Coca: Stimulants

-Cannabis: The Nectar of Delight

-Tobacco (Nicotiana)

-The LSD Story: Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds

-The Story of Ecstasy (MDMA): Adam and Eve

-2C-B: Erotic Erox

-Ketamine

-Ecozoic Era: Psychedelics and Nature-Relatedness

-Psychedelic Alchemy




Appendix

-Jung and the Transpersonal Psyche

-Nine Meditations Honoring Mutuality, Reciprocity, Interdependence, Orientation, and Balance

-Music Considerations and Inspirations

-Microdosing Psychedelics
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