The Fly Agaric Mushroom, History, Society and God
Nature's Telephone to God
Amanita Muscaria is the Latin name given to the mushroom more commonly known as the Fly Agaric Mushroom. Its found all over the world and is the most recognisable of all the mushrooms with its vivid red cap and white to yellow spots or warts. Its also the most famous for being Psychoactive and causing a whole range of experiences, hallucinations and other effects that have helped it become the most notorious of all Psychoactive life found in nature.
The Fly Agaric can be found in most countries in the northern hemisphere, under or around Birch, Oak, Pine and Fir in late summer and autumn.
Myths and legends are bountiful when it comes to the Fly Agaric, even helping shape popular culture, such as classic fairy tales, and stories such as Alice In Wonderland.
The Fly Agaric first got its name from being used as a means to kill the common house fly. In the middle ages pieces of the fungi were put into bowls of sugared milk and placed on window seals to attract the flies rendering them in a stupor, lessening the annoyance of them on those who lived in the house. Agaric is a word used as the scientific name of the Agaric family of Fungi, of which there are many types.
There are many other organisms, plants and mushrooms found in nature with similar effects such as The Sonoran Desert toad with its psychoactive slime, containing DMT. Morning Glory Seeds, The Peyote Cacti, and even other mushroom species, one such, the Psilocybe semilanceata (Liberty Cap) found throughout the UK and Europe, but none have the colourful history of the Fly Agaric.
Above the Fly Agaric
Fly Agaric and Religion
Many historians agree that this mushroom could have been an important factor in the development of early religion. From the ancient Celts and Nordic tribes of Europe, to the Native American Shamans of the Americas, all the way to the peoples of early Hinduism in the east, in which there are always legends and stories in abundance about this mushroom. Such beliefs and characteristics of these ancient cultures are said to have at least some influence from this strange yet intriguing Fungi, which were inspired by the visions and feelings induced by the consumption of the Fly Agaric. The fungi was often referred to by some as “The flesh of God”
Some believe it was the Fly Agaric that God ordered Adam and Eve not to eat in the garden of Eden, not an apple, being the consumption of this mushroom can teach the secrets of the universe, and of hidden spiritual knowledge only allowed by God.
A controversial book 'Soma: Divine Mushroom of Immortality' by Gordon Wasson has stirred up a debate by Hindu people, as the book claimed that the Veda Hymns, a collection of sacred stories from India that mention a divine intoxicant drink called Soma, that the drink was actually the Fly Agaric Mushroom. Many stories of ancient India describe the Soma as being a “Rootless, Blossomless and Leafless” organism and its effects being one of being “In the presence of God” which is often explained with similar words in today’s world. In the Ancient Indian texts it suggests “We have drank the Soma, we become immortals” another common claim by people under the influence of the Fly Agaric today as they felt “God Like“. In the Vedas, book IX, the god Indra drinks Soma and becomes inspired to create the universe, many under the influence of the Fly Agaric also claim to feel like gods, capable of creating their own worlds. All these things helped others take Wasson more seriously, but still to this day there has been no definite evidence that the ancient Hindus did in fact use Fly Agaric and called it Soma, but the descriptions of Soma and its effects seem identical to the Fly Agaric.
The ancient Scandinavian tribes of northern Europe almost certainly used the mushroom for their shamanic trances, they would see such trances as doorways into the otherworld to gain wisdom and favour from the spirits of nature and to commune with the gods. Normally the shaman or tribal leader would be the only one able or authorised to take such a trip, although the lower ranked members of the tribe or village people would be allowed to drink the urine of the shaman as the active chemicals from the Fly Agaric would pass unchanged into the urine. The effects of drinking the urine would be that of directly eating the mushroom, no one is sure how many times it was recycled via urine, but its believed that the experience was considered so divine by the people that it could have been recycled many times. I doubt the warning and advice that we hear so often today “Don’t eat the yellow snow” would have been used much in ancient Scandinavia.
The Vikings were also believed to have taken this Mushroom before battle, as one of the effects of Fly Agaric can be a suppression of fear. The Viking warriors were notorious for their fearless rages in battle, which could have been influenced by their consumption of the mushroom, many observers called them the ‘Bezerker Warriors’ which is where the modern saying “Going Bezerk” comes from.
Celtic cultures would have used the Mushroom to communicate with what they saw as the realm of nature spirits, where Faeries and Sprites dwell, and saw the mushroom as a gateway from this world to the next. which is why we often today see fairy art with the magical fairy sitting on the Fly Agaric, such as with the artist Brian Froud.
Above young and old Fly Agaric
Wild dreams of a modern world
Wild animals are said to also eat this mushroom in the wild but not for nutritional purposes, which would cause them to play happily in the forests, probably tripping of their heads. Rabbits have been seen enjoying the mushroom in woodlands, which could also have influenced the rabbit in 'Alice In Wonderland' that is always panicking about the time, as one of the psychological effects of the Fly Agaric can be a failure to understand or comprehend time and distance. Another theory is that the rabbit in the story was symbolic of following the rabbit into an unknown hole or place, from the saying “How far are you willing to go down the rabbit hole” because experiences from the mushroom can take you deep into places within the mind that some might not wish to go, causing one to understand things only previously known to the subconscious.
Believe it or not the modern idea of Santa Clause or Father Christmas comes from the Fly Agaric Mushroom. The vivid red cap of the mushrooms with its white spots or warts are what influenced the costume of Santa with his red suit and white buttons. In ancient times the ancient Pagan people would see the shaman as going into the magical realms and bringing back gifts to the tribe in the form of knowledge, so its not hard to see how Santa brining gifts to people today can be connected to this mysterious mushroom in the past and how its influenced modern society.
Many popular songs have been inspired by the mushroom, such as Jefferson Airplane’s ‘White Rabbit‘. After listening to the lyrics of this song denying that it is talking about the Fly Agaric would be impossible.
These are just some examples of how the Fly Agaric has influenced popular culture.
To Fly Or Not To Fly. The Fungi’s Effects.
The mushrooms effects themselves are a cause for great debate amongst users and scientists. Some books report the mushroom as being poisonous, while others say its only poisonous if eaten raw when fresh. When its dried out at the right temperature its believed to lose its toxicity and is considered safe to eat, with little to no uncomfortable effects.
When not prepared correctly it is said to cause such problems as adnominal pains, panic, paranoia, nausea, twitching, dizziness and saliva build up of the mouth and even sweating, although these effects are said to only last a few hours into the experience, if at all.
The overall psychedelic effects in most people are said to last from between 5 to 10 hours depending on dose and individual.
Most people say the effects were pleasant and included euphoria, confidence, excitement, joy, a clarity of mind, increased physical strength, happiness, humour, and a need to laugh. An overwhelming desire to dance is often reported also, and objects often appear larger than they are and sometimes smaller than they are, including yourself and others (which explains the scene in ‘Alice in Wonderland’ when Alice eats the substances, causing Alice to grow and to shrink) other effects are drowsiness that often happens at the start of a experience, which can cause the user to move into a pleasant dream like stupor, always followed by the above pleasant effects.
One of the most interesting effects I think associated with using the Fly Agaric is the claims of “total stillness of mind“, and “absolute clarity of thought“, often inspiring an experience of the inner-self, and new spiritual ideas and philosophies on life. Many people come back from a Fly Agaric journey saying they had a better understanding of themselves, and their place in nature and the universe, which is normally described as a deep spiritual experience, often refusing to tell anyone of what they experienced on the mushroom, as it was “between them and the universe/God“ so experiences can be a very personal one, with a deep journey of self discovery.
Effects are always never thought to be the same as the last, as each experience (like all other hallucinogens) depends on the individuals state of mind, environment and the company he or she is in. If the user of the mushroom is depressed or unhappy or not comfortable with their environment, or with the people they are with then a bad trip is more common. Although bad trips/experiences while under the influence of the Fly Agaric are believed to be much less common than say whilst under the unnatural chemical influence of LSD, where bad experiences are more likely.
A warning to anyone wishing to try the Fly Agaric is not to take it lightly, as it is a very powerful mushroom, and could open up doors in your mind that you might have wished remained closed and unexplored.
The Fallen Angel
Never eat any wild mushroom without having researched it intently first, as there are other fungi in the Amanita family that are deadly poisonous such as the ‘Death cap’ Latin name Amanita phalloides, and the ‘Destroying Angel’ Latin name Amanita bisporigera, both are responsible for 90 -95 % of deaths caused by poisonous mushrooms eaten by mistake, and 50% of those who eat them will die, hence their self explanatory names.
Above the Death Cap
Above the Destroying Angel
No reliable evidence exists that anyone has ever died from eating the Fly Agaric Mushroom, but people have died picking the wrong mushroom, such as the Death Cap and Destroying Angel. The Fly Agaric does contain toxins making it mildly poisonous, but boiling or drying it in high temperatures is said to break down the toxins rendering it safer, although some would still consider it poisonous because of its hallucinogenic psychological effects. Some even believe that when eaten raw it is still not toxic, as some claim to have eaten it raw with no negative or ill effects, so its effects are the subject of much argument and debate. If some do not experience bad effects from eating the Fly Agaric raw, this could be that the potency of the bio makeup is different depending on the mushroom itself, based on things such as its geographical location, the time of year and the individual consuming it.
Whether you think the Mushroom is a good or bad thing, one thing for sure is, it makes a normally boring subject seem quite fascinating.
by Barry Stevens (Faeden)
Amanita Muscaria is the Latin name given to the mushroom more commonly known as the Fly Agaric Mushroom. Its found all over the world and is the most recognisable of all the mushrooms with its vivid red cap and white to yellow spots or warts. Its also the most famous for being Psychoactive and causing a whole range of experiences, hallucinations and other effects that have helped it become the most notorious of all Psychoactive life found in nature.
The Fly Agaric can be found in most countries in the northern hemisphere, under or around Birch, Oak, Pine and Fir in late summer and autumn.
Myths and legends are bountiful when it comes to the Fly Agaric, even helping shape popular culture, such as classic fairy tales, and stories such as Alice In Wonderland.
The Fly Agaric first got its name from being used as a means to kill the common house fly. In the middle ages pieces of the fungi were put into bowls of sugared milk and placed on window seals to attract the flies rendering them in a stupor, lessening the annoyance of them on those who lived in the house. Agaric is a word used as the scientific name of the Agaric family of Fungi, of which there are many types.
There are many other organisms, plants and mushrooms found in nature with similar effects such as The Sonoran Desert toad with its psychoactive slime, containing DMT. Morning Glory Seeds, The Peyote Cacti, and even other mushroom species, one such, the Psilocybe semilanceata (Liberty Cap) found throughout the UK and Europe, but none have the colourful history of the Fly Agaric.
Above the Fly Agaric
Fly Agaric and Religion
Many historians agree that this mushroom could have been an important factor in the development of early religion. From the ancient Celts and Nordic tribes of Europe, to the Native American Shamans of the Americas, all the way to the peoples of early Hinduism in the east, in which there are always legends and stories in abundance about this mushroom. Such beliefs and characteristics of these ancient cultures are said to have at least some influence from this strange yet intriguing Fungi, which were inspired by the visions and feelings induced by the consumption of the Fly Agaric. The fungi was often referred to by some as “The flesh of God”
Some believe it was the Fly Agaric that God ordered Adam and Eve not to eat in the garden of Eden, not an apple, being the consumption of this mushroom can teach the secrets of the universe, and of hidden spiritual knowledge only allowed by God.
A controversial book 'Soma: Divine Mushroom of Immortality' by Gordon Wasson has stirred up a debate by Hindu people, as the book claimed that the Veda Hymns, a collection of sacred stories from India that mention a divine intoxicant drink called Soma, that the drink was actually the Fly Agaric Mushroom. Many stories of ancient India describe the Soma as being a “Rootless, Blossomless and Leafless” organism and its effects being one of being “In the presence of God” which is often explained with similar words in today’s world. In the Ancient Indian texts it suggests “We have drank the Soma, we become immortals” another common claim by people under the influence of the Fly Agaric today as they felt “God Like“. In the Vedas, book IX, the god Indra drinks Soma and becomes inspired to create the universe, many under the influence of the Fly Agaric also claim to feel like gods, capable of creating their own worlds. All these things helped others take Wasson more seriously, but still to this day there has been no definite evidence that the ancient Hindus did in fact use Fly Agaric and called it Soma, but the descriptions of Soma and its effects seem identical to the Fly Agaric.
The ancient Scandinavian tribes of northern Europe almost certainly used the mushroom for their shamanic trances, they would see such trances as doorways into the otherworld to gain wisdom and favour from the spirits of nature and to commune with the gods. Normally the shaman or tribal leader would be the only one able or authorised to take such a trip, although the lower ranked members of the tribe or village people would be allowed to drink the urine of the shaman as the active chemicals from the Fly Agaric would pass unchanged into the urine. The effects of drinking the urine would be that of directly eating the mushroom, no one is sure how many times it was recycled via urine, but its believed that the experience was considered so divine by the people that it could have been recycled many times. I doubt the warning and advice that we hear so often today “Don’t eat the yellow snow” would have been used much in ancient Scandinavia.
The Vikings were also believed to have taken this Mushroom before battle, as one of the effects of Fly Agaric can be a suppression of fear. The Viking warriors were notorious for their fearless rages in battle, which could have been influenced by their consumption of the mushroom, many observers called them the ‘Bezerker Warriors’ which is where the modern saying “Going Bezerk” comes from.
Celtic cultures would have used the Mushroom to communicate with what they saw as the realm of nature spirits, where Faeries and Sprites dwell, and saw the mushroom as a gateway from this world to the next. which is why we often today see fairy art with the magical fairy sitting on the Fly Agaric, such as with the artist Brian Froud.
Above young and old Fly Agaric
Wild dreams of a modern world
Wild animals are said to also eat this mushroom in the wild but not for nutritional purposes, which would cause them to play happily in the forests, probably tripping of their heads. Rabbits have been seen enjoying the mushroom in woodlands, which could also have influenced the rabbit in 'Alice In Wonderland' that is always panicking about the time, as one of the psychological effects of the Fly Agaric can be a failure to understand or comprehend time and distance. Another theory is that the rabbit in the story was symbolic of following the rabbit into an unknown hole or place, from the saying “How far are you willing to go down the rabbit hole” because experiences from the mushroom can take you deep into places within the mind that some might not wish to go, causing one to understand things only previously known to the subconscious.
Believe it or not the modern idea of Santa Clause or Father Christmas comes from the Fly Agaric Mushroom. The vivid red cap of the mushrooms with its white spots or warts are what influenced the costume of Santa with his red suit and white buttons. In ancient times the ancient Pagan people would see the shaman as going into the magical realms and bringing back gifts to the tribe in the form of knowledge, so its not hard to see how Santa brining gifts to people today can be connected to this mysterious mushroom in the past and how its influenced modern society.
Many popular songs have been inspired by the mushroom, such as Jefferson Airplane’s ‘White Rabbit‘. After listening to the lyrics of this song denying that it is talking about the Fly Agaric would be impossible.
These are just some examples of how the Fly Agaric has influenced popular culture.
To Fly Or Not To Fly. The Fungi’s Effects.
The mushrooms effects themselves are a cause for great debate amongst users and scientists. Some books report the mushroom as being poisonous, while others say its only poisonous if eaten raw when fresh. When its dried out at the right temperature its believed to lose its toxicity and is considered safe to eat, with little to no uncomfortable effects.
When not prepared correctly it is said to cause such problems as adnominal pains, panic, paranoia, nausea, twitching, dizziness and saliva build up of the mouth and even sweating, although these effects are said to only last a few hours into the experience, if at all.
The overall psychedelic effects in most people are said to last from between 5 to 10 hours depending on dose and individual.
Most people say the effects were pleasant and included euphoria, confidence, excitement, joy, a clarity of mind, increased physical strength, happiness, humour, and a need to laugh. An overwhelming desire to dance is often reported also, and objects often appear larger than they are and sometimes smaller than they are, including yourself and others (which explains the scene in ‘Alice in Wonderland’ when Alice eats the substances, causing Alice to grow and to shrink) other effects are drowsiness that often happens at the start of a experience, which can cause the user to move into a pleasant dream like stupor, always followed by the above pleasant effects.
One of the most interesting effects I think associated with using the Fly Agaric is the claims of “total stillness of mind“, and “absolute clarity of thought“, often inspiring an experience of the inner-self, and new spiritual ideas and philosophies on life. Many people come back from a Fly Agaric journey saying they had a better understanding of themselves, and their place in nature and the universe, which is normally described as a deep spiritual experience, often refusing to tell anyone of what they experienced on the mushroom, as it was “between them and the universe/God“ so experiences can be a very personal one, with a deep journey of self discovery.
Effects are always never thought to be the same as the last, as each experience (like all other hallucinogens) depends on the individuals state of mind, environment and the company he or she is in. If the user of the mushroom is depressed or unhappy or not comfortable with their environment, or with the people they are with then a bad trip is more common. Although bad trips/experiences while under the influence of the Fly Agaric are believed to be much less common than say whilst under the unnatural chemical influence of LSD, where bad experiences are more likely.
A warning to anyone wishing to try the Fly Agaric is not to take it lightly, as it is a very powerful mushroom, and could open up doors in your mind that you might have wished remained closed and unexplored.
The Fallen Angel
Never eat any wild mushroom without having researched it intently first, as there are other fungi in the Amanita family that are deadly poisonous such as the ‘Death cap’ Latin name Amanita phalloides, and the ‘Destroying Angel’ Latin name Amanita bisporigera, both are responsible for 90 -95 % of deaths caused by poisonous mushrooms eaten by mistake, and 50% of those who eat them will die, hence their self explanatory names.
Above the Death Cap
Above the Destroying Angel
No reliable evidence exists that anyone has ever died from eating the Fly Agaric Mushroom, but people have died picking the wrong mushroom, such as the Death Cap and Destroying Angel. The Fly Agaric does contain toxins making it mildly poisonous, but boiling or drying it in high temperatures is said to break down the toxins rendering it safer, although some would still consider it poisonous because of its hallucinogenic psychological effects. Some even believe that when eaten raw it is still not toxic, as some claim to have eaten it raw with no negative or ill effects, so its effects are the subject of much argument and debate. If some do not experience bad effects from eating the Fly Agaric raw, this could be that the potency of the bio makeup is different depending on the mushroom itself, based on things such as its geographical location, the time of year and the individual consuming it.
Whether you think the Mushroom is a good or bad thing, one thing for sure is, it makes a normally boring subject seem quite fascinating.
by Barry Stevens (Faeden)
