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Mushrooms, Myth And Mithras: The Drug Cult That Civilized Europe

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.

Paperback: 300 pages

Publisher: City Lights Publishers; First Edition edition (July 26, 2011)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 0872864707

ISBN-13: 978-0872864702

Product Dimensions: 5.3 x 0.9 x 7.9 inches

Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)

Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)

Best Sellers Rank: #840,666 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #200 in Books > History > World > Religious > New Age, Mythology & Occult #2251 in Books > Religion & Spirituality > Religious Studies > Comparative Religion #5345 in Books > History > Ancient Civilizations

First of all it's a great book and interesting read. It goes on to explain the beliefs of cult of Mithras which existed prior to Christianity. And explains how these beleifs were borrowed/stolen and integrated into the new religion. How the symbolism of Mithras represents not only the trinity but also the act of sacrifice when the mushroom is harvested. And how these symobologies and hidden meanings were integrated into the Christian beleif system, the Eucharist being symbolic of eating the divine flesh of god which is the sacrifice of the mushroom. It goes on further to explain that the Mithras ceremony equivalent to Christian/Catholic eucharist was done in an underground chamber called a Mithraeum. And how the initiate would partake of the sacrement and while in this holy state he would stay in the underground chamber and only rise out at the end when he was enlightened.This is symbolic of how the fly agaric would rise from the darkness (the ground) and into the light (above ground). So would the initiate start off in darkness or state of not knowing and as he would become enlightened from the revelations at the end of the trip he would rise into the light. We can see how the allegorical story of Jesus in Christianity can represent this experience of man becoming enlightened by the divine. Much as Jesus after he made the sacrifice of his life was reserrected (enlightened) three days later. Just like after the sacrifice of self by taking the mushroom one temporarily sacrifced their sanity but was enlightened or born again after it.The book does a excellent job in explaining the parallels of the fundamental beliefs between the faiths and one begins to see how other religions also are symbolic representations of the same divine knowledge.

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