As we embark on a new year, many Christians, including myself, seek renewal and revelation to inspire their faith. A once-overlooked source offering spiritual insights can be found in the humble mushroom. In 2024, psychedelic mushrooms could play an essential role in modern religions as they have for our ancestors, providing a catalyst to the spiritual connection at the heart of existence.
Historically overlooked and considered taboo by many, psychedelic mushrooms possess a rich yet concealed history within Biblical narratives and Christian traditions. Exploring the symbolic roots and rituals associated with these mushrooms uncovers a fascinating intersection between Christianity and the natural world. As we step into this new year with open minds, it presents a unique opportunity to reevaluate and embrace the sacred role of mushrooms, integrating their teachings to foster a more grounded, compassionate, and harmonious faith in the world.
Mushrooms in the Scriptures
In the scriptures of the Bible, subtle yet profound references to mushrooms can be found, illuminating core spiritual teachings upon deeper inspection. Consider the Old Testament’s account of manna, the mysterious sustenance for the Israelites in the desert. Described as a bread-like substance that appeared each morning on the ground, its emergence mirrors mushroom growth patterns. Similarly, in the New Testament, Jesus offers the “bread of life” to spiritually nourish believers, resonating with this imagery. Intriguingly, some Christian art from the early centuries depicts manna in a form reminiscent of mushrooms. More than mere physical sustenance, manna was viewed as a conduit of divine wisdom, with ancient scholars like Philo noting it “had every flavor, to suit each person’s liking…[conveying] the Word of God.” ¹
Further parallels can be drawn with Jesus’ teachings, such as the parable of the mustard seed and the leaven, which he used to illustrate the expansive growth of the Kingdom of Heaven. ² These examples echo the rapid and widespread proliferation of mushrooms. Additionally, the intricate underground fungi networks facilitate communication among trees and serve as a metaphor for Christianity’s focus on unseen bonds of connectedness and communal support. The very nomenclature of numerous mushroom species, like “liberty cap” or “philosopher’s stone,” reflect core spiritual values such as freedom and the pursuit of enlightenment.
Mushrooms in the Church
At first glance, hallucinogenic mushrooms seem utterly divorced from Christianity today. Yet inside a medieval French chapel, a curious 13th-century fresco hints at a hidden psychedelic past. The faded painting in Plaincourault Chapel depicts a red tree with an umbrella-shaped cap sprouting between Adam and Eve. Its branches end in smaller dotted caps marked with tiny white spots – an uncanny match for the hallucinogenic Amanita muscaria mushroom. ³ While incongruous now, thought-provoking clues point to mushrooms’ covert historical role in Christianity. Renowned ethnomycologist R. Gordon Wasson came to believe the Tree of Knowledge in Genesis alluded to the Amanita. ⁴ This dramatic shift in perspective from a prominent researcher underscores the compelling nature of the theory. The painting’s imagery forces us to reconsider: did psychedelic mushrooms play an unrecognized part in early Christianity?
Medieval manuscripts feature mushrooms in a manner that suggests a more profound, hidden significance. The Great Canterbury Psalter shows God surrounded by sacred mushrooms as he creates plants.
The Great Canterbury Psalter, Plate 12 – God Creates Plants ⁶
In Healing of the Leper, we see Jesus performing a healing ceremony. “Master, if you want, you may cleanse me” reads a scroll merging with a mushroom. ⁵
The Great Canterbury Psalter, Plate 14 – Leper ⁵
A puzzling pre-Christian figure peers out from medieval churches—the green man. In Rosslyn Chapel near Edinburgh, Scotland, his carved visage sprouts sacred mushrooms amidst angels and saints. Images of the unique carvings unveil a captivating revelation: some sport sacred mushrooms. Do these survivors of pagan times reveal a tantalizing clue in Christianity’s psychedelic origin story? ⁶ Their mushroom heads evoke an intertwining of consciousness with creation, akin to Jesus’ concept of “the kingdom of God within you” or Paul’s notion of “the mind of Christ.” ⁷
Green Man, Rosslyn Chapel: Front view and inverted view with highlighted forehead ⁶
Historical accounts also describe the ceremonial use of substances such as ergot, a fungus from which LSD is synthesized. The Eleusinian Mysteries, an ancient Greek religious ritual, famously revolved around a psychedelic potion believed to induce divine visions. This practice of seeking mystical experiences was adopted by some early Christian sects, who aimed for a transcendental union with the divine. Gnostic groups, in particular, valued these visionary experiences as a means of revelation beyond the physical world. The importance of dreams and mushrooms is also evident in Gnostic writings, where they appear as powerful symbols. ⁶
Indigenous cultures worldwide have long acknowledged the spiritual significance of mushrooms. ⁸ As Christianity spread across Europe, it incorporated elements of local shamanic practices, including mushroom symbolism. ⁶ This blending of beliefs is evident in the shared imagery found across diverse mythologies, such as the concept of a sky father-God, which unified different cultures through trade and language. Furthermore, a deep linguistic analysis of the Bible reveals that Christianity’s foundations are possibly intertwined with these earlier spiritual practices. ³
Psychedelic Sacraments: Historical and Modern Revelations
Indigenous cultures around the world have long understood the spiritual power of mushrooms, and as Christianity spread, it integrated some shamanic elements, preserving their mushroom-related imagery and symbolism. ⁸ Now, scientific research is exploring the effects of sacred mushrooms on spirituality. A notable study by Johns Hopkins University administered psilocybin to volunteers, resulting in significant mystical experiences that led to enduring positive changes in their attitudes and values. ⁹
This research shows that even a single dose of psilocybin can facilitate profound spiritual insights and personal development. While these substances must be used with care and respect, the findings underscore their potential as sacraments capable of facilitating transcendental experiences. As contemporary seekers delve into the broader aspects of Christianity, the responsible exploration of psychedelics might offer a path to reengaging with its mystical heritage.
A New Year of Renewal: Cultivating Community and Consciousness
Through intentional use, psychedelic mushrooms have the potential to break down ego barriers, opening our hearts to the inherent sacredness of every being. Historically revered as sacraments in various cultures, their potential for addressing our mental health crisis is being reexamined with great interest. Christians have a role in advocating for the equal distribution of natural medicine, prioritizing love and care over financial gain. Mushrooms, in their journey from darkness to light and eventual decay, symbolize our transient existence within the interconnected web of life.
Let the growth of sacred mushrooms be a metaphor for reconnecting with our faith’s deep, ancient roots – the fundamental unity underpinning diverse religious expressions. Their spores offer lessons, infiltrating our consciousness with symbols embedded in scripture and ritual. In this new year, may the humility and interconnectedness of fungi rejuvenate our faith, helping us to rediscover the mystical core of Christianity and spread the sacred message of love.
In Colorado, where the legal landscape for psychedelic mushrooms is evolving, new opportunities arise. Following the passing of Colorado’s Natural Medicine Health Act in 2022, which decriminalized the personal cultivation, use, and sharing of psilocybin mushrooms, communities are exploring these substances in new ways. While sales remain prohibited, initiatives like the Denver Mushroom Cooperative’s “Gifting Portals” are emerging, where adults over 21 can exchange homegrown psilocybin mushrooms, guided by safety principles and responsible. ¹⁰
This shift in legal status paves the way for a renaissance in the religious use of sacred mushrooms for mental health and strengthening community bonds. Engaging with local growers or lawfully cultivating these mushrooms encourages sustainable practices and helps repair our relationship with the natural world. However, it’s crucial to approach these substances with reverence and caution, avoiding any tendencies toward commercial exploitation. The cooperative growth patterns of mushrooms model interconnection, emerging from darkness to capture fleeting light. Let us follow mycelium’s example as we cultivate community and compassion. Mindful engagement with the gifts of sacred mushrooms may lead to a profound renewal of faith.
References
- Philo of Alexandria. (c. 20–50 CE). On the Life of Moses (De Vita Mosis). (G. H. Whitaker, trans.). Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.
- The Bible. English Standard Version. (2016). Matthew 13:31-33; Luke 13:18-21.
- Allegro, J.M. (2009). The Sacred Mushroom and the Cross: A Study of the Nature and Origins of Christianity within the Fertility Cults of the Ancient Near East. Gnostic Media Research & Publishing.
- Hoffman, Michael. (2006). “Wasson and Allegro on the Tree of Knowledge as Amanita.” Journal of Higher Criticism. https://www.egodeath.com/
- Auteur du texte. “The Great Canterbury Psalter, Folio 15 – Leper.” Gallica. https://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/btv1b10551125c/f15.item.zoom#:~:text=Home,Auteur%20du%20texte
- Brown, J.M. & Brown, J.B. (2016). The Psychedelic Gospels: The Secret History of Hallucinogens in Christianity. Park Street Press.
- The Bible. English Standard Version. (2016). Luke 17:2; 1 Corinthians 2:16.
- Furst, P.T. (1976). Hallucinogens and Culture. Chandler & Sharp.
- Griffiths, R. R., Richards, W. A., McCann, U., & Jesse, R. (2006). Psilocybin can occasion mystical-type experiences having substantial and sustained personal meaning and spiritual significance. Psychopharmacology, 187(3), 268–283.
- Burton, M. (2023, December 22). Denver Mushroom Group Holds Free Psilocybin Exchange. Westword: https://www.westword.com/news/denver-mushroom-group-hosts-free-psilocybin-exchange-event-15722547
Ashley Ryan, M.S. 