I really enjoyed Mysterious Mushroom: Amanita Muscaria in History, Medicine, & More, a free talk with Psychedelic Historian and Educator Tom Hatsis. The entertaining and informative talk took place at Psanctum Thrift, 4033 SE Milwaukie Ave. Portland, OR 97202.
Here are some photos from the event, as well as a poem inspired by my experience.
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| I purchased a copy of Tom's book Microdosing Magic: A Psychedelic Spellbook, pictured here with some items from his collection of historical and educational materials. |
There Was Union
Notes from Mysterious
Mushrooms: Amanita Muscaria in History, Medicine, & More
a free talk with Psychedelic
Historian and Educator Tom Hatsis
Psanctum Thrift, Portland
December 7, 2023
holographic
maximalist
rocking
torn legging
farsighted
nearsighted
a
state of mind
ramped
up rambunctiousness
in
the random shit nook
sheepish
seekers
with
tentative glances
furtive
smiles
settle
in
ready
to absorb
check for the veil
check for the bulb
Tom
offers tips for
foraging
and preparation
dispels
myths
no
Viking Berzerkers
no
connection to Santa Claus
the visionary potential
of the amanita muscaria
the mushrooms bring
the other world to me
I’m not tripping
the room is tripping
witchcraft
ritual is key
Tom
reads from his magical journal:
all three goddesses showed up
spontaneously absorbed all three
and eventually found himself
on the ground
humping the air
shining from the inside
beautified by all of them
I think I was throat signing
deep guttural purging
[of] negative thoughts
must change that to ascend
amanita is a
heart-opening medicine
you really have to
form a relationship
with the amanita muscaria
then start
very slowly
she will
sing to you
According to their website, "Psanctum is a nonprofit psychedelics research, education, and harm reduction organization located in Portland, Oregon. Psanctum publishes educational articles and videos, curates an online digital archive, and hosts events like the Psanctum Speaker Series, the Psanctum Psychedelic Conference, monthly integration circles, and the weekly Psanctum Open Mic. We also operate Psanctum Thrift, which raises funds for psychedelic-assisted therapy, education, integration, and support. Psanctum also features an onsite Psychedelic Education Center, which is currently archiving the last materials of the Timothy Leary collection. We believe psychedelic experiences have the power to heal, inspire, and liberate the human mind, body, and soul. But these substances are only as powerful as our ability to understand, integrate, and support them. Psanctum works to contribute towards building a society where psychedelic experiences, education, and the strong communities necessary to process them, are accessible to all."
Please support Psanctum's mission by donating to the cause or by shopping at the store.
