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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.

  • Format
  • paperback
  • Pages
  • 300
  • Language
  • english
  • ISBN
  • 9780872864702
  • Genres
  • history
  • Release date
  • 2011