| Mushrooms, Myth & Mithras: The Drug Cult That Civilized Europe Contributor(s): Ruck, Carl (Author), Alwin Hoffman, Mark (Contribution by), González Celdrán, Jose Alfredo (Contribution by) |
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ISBN: 0872864707 ISBN-13: 9780872864702 Publisher: City Lights Books OUR PRICE: $22.50 Product Type: Paperback Published: July 2011 Annotation: 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. |
| Additional Information |
| BISAC Categories: - Body, Mind & Spirit | Entheogens & Visionary Substances - Religion | Comparative Religion - Religion | Spirituality |
| Dewey: 299.15 |
| LCCN: 2008037005 |
| Physical Information: 0.9" H x 5.3" W x 7.9" (0.70 lbs) 290 pages |
| Themes: - Chronological Period - Ancient (To 499 A.D.) - Topical - New Age |
| Descriptions, Reviews, Etc. |
| Publisher Description: 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. |