Plants Pacific Northwest

Amanita Muscaria - Fly mushroom, fly agaric, Soma, Magic mushroom

Note: These plants can be dangerous if improperly used. The author, and/or ernestartist.org asumes no liability for experimentation of use.

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Ernestartist.org assumes no liability for experimental use of medicinal plants, food plants or herbal remedies.

Amanita Muscaria: fly agaric, fly mushroom

So-called 'fly-agaric' because of its toxic principle, muscarine (when isolated and made into spray, kills flies). Called Soma by some collectors, this mushroom is psychoactive, for analysis has shown it to contain ibotenic acid and muscimole, both of which are hallucinogens.

This mushroom is found throughout USA and Canada in wooded areas (especially conifer forests) and sometimes in bushy pastures. I have mainly found this mushroom in early fall (October) after a dry spell and following the first heavy rains, although, according to (Poisonous Plants of the United States and Canada, by John M. Kingsbury - Published by Prentice Hall 1964)it is said many mushrooms appear in early Spring.

In Vancouver Canada, I have noticed that the Amanitas grow beneath Birtch trees, and Cedar trees in shaded areas. (mostly although some exceptions have been noted.) Found singly or in groups; sometimes in more or less regular circles (so-called "fairy-rings").

There are probably between 25 - 45 varieties of the Amanita to be found in North America, so unless the collector is certain of the species, it is advisable not to eat it. Note: the 'Amanita Pantherina' looks very close to the Amanita Muscaria. The Amanita rarely kills, the Pantherina more often times, does.

The Amanita is used in certain areas of the world as an intoxicant or hallucinogenic material. With in 2 hours of ingesting two - 3" caps (fresh), it is common to vomit then have audio and visual hallucinations. [I rarely use Amanitas due to the way it tastes and the way it makes my stomach feel.]

We know of the antiquity of Amanita Muscaria intoxication among the tribes of northeastern Asia - the Tungus, Yakuts, Chukches, Koryaks and Kamchadales. It has been used extensively among Finno-Ugrian peoples, the Ostyak and Vogul. Accounts of the use and ritual surrounding this colorful fungus are described by Oliver Goldsmith as early as 1762 and subsequently by numerous anthropologists.

Keenan, who was among the Chukches in 1870, reported that a single mushroom was sufficient to keep a single band intoxicated for a week. A single mushroom would fetch three to four reindeer (the muscimole and ibotenic acids of Amanita are not filtered out through the kidneys) The host would ingest the fungus, then the host would catch his urine in a container so as to pass it along to others. (Narcotic Plants, by William Emboden, published by The Macmillan Company 1972)

The Amanita muscaria mushroom can be found at the roots of most of the religious writings our planet has to offer. Yet you will find within these pages very little in way of endorsement of any particular Religion. Drugs in the Psychedelic category are commonly referred to these days (by those in the know) as "Entheogens" meaning simply the generation of God within. For the experienced the realization of God within ones own Consciousness. What are the origins of the Christmas traditions? Most people never think to ask this question. Those that do find a seemingly complete dogmatic system of explanation.

There may be a reason that this mushroom has remained hidden for these thousands of years. What has become clear, is that cosmologically every religion on our planet looks forward to a time in the future where Man will have direct contact with what can be defined as God. The Thousand year reign of the Messiah, The New Golden Age, The Return of Jesus, Buddha, Krishna, Mithra, King Arthur, etc, etc, etc, is a commonality that is the hoped for relief to the people that wish to live in peace, and understanding. A time when all lies will be exposed... This Mushroom plays a huge role in the coming dispensation of this Golden Age.

So many Religions have used this Mushroom in their Sacraments, initiations, and rituals that it seems that the Mushroom could perhaps achieve what many throughout the world have sought. A COMMON GROUND from which all religions find at their very roots. A basic common denominator which should theoretically bring them together.