Mushrooms, Myth and Mithras

Print: Parabola, Shambhala Sun, Entheos: Journal of Psychedelic Spirituality, Tricycle, Yes!, Utne Reader, Shaman's Drum, The Sun Radio: Pursue Pacifica and NPR/Community radio station programs that focus on religion and spirituality i.e New Dimensions Web: Pursue web sites that focus on the history of religion, spirituality, psychedelics, drug culture: www.druglibrary.org, www.erowid.org Promotion on Daniel Pinchbeck's web site www.realitysandwich.com TV: History Channel, Discovery Channel, Nova, Bill Moyers - pursue appropriate shows and producers. Academic: Religious studies, Roman Religions, Sociology, Pop Culture, Classical Studies. Carl Ruck teaches at Boston University in the Classical Studies department. Academic Journals.

A fascinating tour of the mushroom-centered mystery religions which have profoundly influenced Western civilization.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.