That critique aside, it seems like research on the role of agarics by warrior societies (and brotherhoods) lags behind research on use by religious societies, so I was happy to read this essay. It’s a research area that was opened by Wasson, but furthered by few. Allegro touched it treating on the biblical Joshua, but more recently Clark Heinrich alludes to such uses by Semitic tribal groups. Hoffman in “Entheos” (entheomedia.org) has an article on the use of A.M. by Roman warrior class. And I have it from an inside source that a book on usage by Mithras worshipers is slated for publication. Can’t wait.

Love the site. Keep putting out the good word.

It sure gives a good open-minded view into the sacred usage of this powerful mushroom, but also from an analytical, scientific perspective.

I have been interested in shamanism and herbs for a few years now and it is not until recently that I began to dive into the wast information found in books and Internet about the sacred usage of hallusinogenic mushrooms. I actually gathered a few fly agaric caps last fall here in Sweden, and dried them for later consumption. So about two months ago I decided the time was right to try them, but I didn’t even got to the process of cooking and consuming them. While watching the dried Amanitas hangning there on the string I felt bad and fear for some reason, the familiar words since childhood echoed in my head – “if you eat the fly agaric, you will die”. Despite the amout of time researching the effects of Amanita Muscaria and proper preparation to reduce nausea, I made the mistake(?) and decided to toss them away in the woods – back to nature so to say. This mushroom really gives me the creeps for some reason, but I will certainly try it next fall if I doesn’t get my hands on some dried specimen before then.

The method of cooking amanitas in milk seems to be a good way of preparation comparing to making tea. I hope the taste is better than what some people is stating – that it sometimes is rather disgusting and metallic. On the other hand some say it is really delicious, tasting like chiken and cornbread. Well, time has to decide when I get going with my own experimentation.
Articles like this is indeed inspiring.