420 Reflections: We are plants. We are soil.

420 plant medicine practice ritual transformation Apr 19, 2023

“No wonder psychedelics are threatening to an authoritarian religious hierarchy. You don’t need faith to benefit from a psychedelic experience, let alone a priest or even a shaman to interpret it. What you need is courage—courage to drink the brew, eat the mushroom, or whatever it is, and then to pay attention, and make of it what you will. Suddenly, the tools for direct contact with the transcendent other (whether you call it God or something else) is taken from the hands of an anointed elite and given to the individual seeker.” - Dennis McKenna

  It's been 30 years since someone gave 16 year old me a bag of dehydrated magic mushrooms. Since my mother ran one of the most effective anti-drug campaigns ever, I was terrified at the idea of doing any drugs other than cannabis, which she consumed regularly. At this point in my life I was a successful runaway, having secured a fake ID, a job at a bar and my own place. I was the adult in my friends group, as many of those in my circle were older than me and still living at home with parents, my place was a safe space for us to escape to. Of course since we were young and unsupervised we over consumed alcohol and cannabis in our effort to escape, so my friend gifting me a bag of mushrooms was on brand for the house.

It was the 90's though, and my neighborhood reminded me of the dangers of drug use everyday as crack was flooded into our communities and friends were transforming into crack seeking zombies overnight. I was determined to never suck dick for a rock, so I tucked those in the back of my panty drawer and never looked back. It wasn't until I was packing up to move almost a year later found them and a bit of courage, I ate them and waited. 

Nothing happened.

As it turns out, there is a phenomenon known as "psilocybin degradation," which is a fancy way to say that with age, the gradual loss of moisture within the mushrooms leads to a decrease in psilocybin content. It would be almost 10 years later when I finally got to experience the true magic of the psilocybe cubensis. By this time I was a lot less fearful of drugs and all dolled up for a rave, fresh out of an unfortunate marriage and fucks to give. I ate a chocolate that promised a beautiful experience and it DID NOT DISAPPOINT. 

I danced all night, got lost in a laser show, made out with friends and laughed until it hurt. My face was covered in tears and sweat, and for the first time that I can remember I wasn't embarrassed or burdened with shame by my tears.

“Falling in love is like eating mushrooms, you never know if it's the real thing until it's too late.” - Bill Ballance.

I have experienced countless plant medicine journeys since then along with incredible shifts to my mental, spiritual, and physical well-being. From creative insights to self-discovery, plant medicine has encouraged personal growth and clarity for me and the world around me. Growing mushrooms has also reminded me how similar we are to plants and soil. 

At 46, I tend to my garden daily as a spiritual practice, nurturing the plants and trees with love, watching them grow into beautiful art pieces that only nature could provide. I really view my life as being like my garden - with each living creature needing careful attention in order to reach its full potential. Recently, I noticed that two seedlings are growing at different speeds. The okra seedlings were tall and robust while the collard seedlings remained small and fragile. Despite them being different plants, I realize that I was treating them like they were the same. One needed more sunlight while the other less water, and they both wanted different types of soil.

"People need to realize how powerful the transformation of soil can be." - Ron Finley

Humans are like this too; we need proper nourishment in order to grow and reach our full potential, our environment is critical to our development and there is no one recipe that fits us all. My erotic embodiment teachings are rooted in this reality. I it in the pursuit of pleasure that I am encouraging us all to nurture ourselves with respect and love, to be in harmony with nature, to get to learn what our unique needs are. All of this is simply so we can experience our potential in life, like the plants in my garden.

This year 4/20 lands at a magical space in the cosmos. The New Moon Solar Eclipse in Aries is said to be one of the most powerful astrological events of this year, and with it comes an opportunity for accelerated spiritual evolution.Aries is renowned for its playful nature, spontaneity, and daring energy — the perfect recipe for an adventure! The New Moon marks the beginning of a new lunar cycle, making it a perfect time to set intentions and invite new energies into your life. The eclipse marks the start of eclipse season, opening brief windows of time where we can access a wide array of new spiritual learnings and awakenings. This makes it an ideal time for a major change, both on a personal and collective level, and to connect with plant medicine and the healing power of nature. 

While you may not be here with us in Costa Rica as we embark on our 4/20 New Moon ritual, I am inviting you to create one of your own. Here's a few things to help you on your way:

First choose a variety of plant medicines that you feel called to work with. I will be working with rose, hapé (tobacco) and Tahoe Psilocybin, a powerful psychedelic mushroom found in the forests of North America. You could also work with other plants, like cannabis, chamomile, and lavender or whatever the universe is giving you access to right now.

Start by creating a comfortable and peaceful space. You can do this by ensuring that the room or area is free from any distractions and clutter. Add items to create an atmosphere of relaxation, like blankets, pillows, soft music and/or lighting. To really immerse yourself in the experience, you can also smudge your space with sage or other herbs to cleanse it of negative energies and set positive intentions for your journey. Bring in incense, light candles and create an altar with meaningful items that remind you of the spirit realm or ancestors. If you feel inclined to work with crystals, consider tourmaline or black obsidian to act as protectors and energetic conductors. When everything is ready, settle comfortably into your space and connect with nature and your plants.

Sit with your plant medicine and take a few deep breaths. Close your eyes and allow yourself to take a few moments to center and ground yourself in the present moment. Take a few moments to feel and breathe in the essence of each plant medicine, one at a time. Connect with its unique properties, and return to the intention for your ritual.

Once you you are ready, consume the plant medicine, allow yourself to relax and connect with the energy of the plant. Listen to whatever messages or insights may arise, and feel its healing properties infuse your being.

Get creative! Take out your journal and begin to draw or write down any insights or messages that come through during your journey. You can always come back to reflect on how these insights are connected to your intention and your life.

When you return from your journey, release whatever no longer serves you by writing down any habits, beliefs, or emotions that you wish to release, then burn the paper in the candle flame as a symbol of letting go. Close the journey by thanking the plant medicine, the universe, and yourself for the experience. Take a moment to soak in the sensations and insights that came through during the ritual, and feel empowered by the knowledge and clarity it brings.

Remember, what you experience during your journey is yours to keep. I pray you never forget. Consider spending a little bit of time each day calling back the energy of the plant, allowing yourself to open up to receiving guidance from the universe,  and setting intentions and goals that lead you towards your purpose in life. 

One of the bits of magic in the plants is that they allow us to remember our purpose. Let them guide us.

We are plants. 

We are soil.

In pleasure & power, 
 

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