Psychedelic Mysteries of the Feminine

Creativity, Ecstasy, and Healing

De: Maria Papaspyrou - editor, Chiara Baldini - editor, David Luke - editor, Allyson Grey - introduction

Narrado por: Rosie Akerman

An exploration of the connections between feminine consciousness and altered states from ancient times to present day

• Explores the feminine qualities of the psychedelic self, ancient female roots of shamanism, and how altered states naturally tap into the female archetype

• Discusses feminist psychedelic activism, female ecstatics, goddess consciousness, the dark feminine, and embodied paths to ecstasy

• Includes contributions by Martina Hoffmann, Amanda Sage, Carl Ruck, and others

Women have been shamans since time immemorial, not only because women have innate intuitive gifts, but also because the female body is wired to more easily experience altered states, such as during the process of birth. Whether female or male, the altered states produced by psychedelics and ecstatic trance expand our minds to tap into and enhance our feminine states of consciousness as well as reconnect us to the web of life.

In this book, we discover the transformative powers of feminine consciousness and altered states as revealed by contributors both female and male, including revered scholars, visionary artists, anthropologists, modern shamans, witches, psychotherapists, and policy makers. The book begins with a deep look at the archetypal dimensions of the feminine principle and how entheogens give us open access to these ancient archetypes, including goddess consciousness and the dark feminine. The contributors examine the female roots of shamanism, including the role of women in the ancient rites of Dionysus, the Eleusinian Sacrament, and Norse witchcraft. They explore psychedelic and embodied paths to ecstasy, such as trance dance, holotropic breathwork, and the similarities of giving birth and taking mind-altering drugs. Looking at the healing potential of the feminine and altered states, they discuss the power of plant medicines, including ayahuasca, and the recasting of the medicine-woman archetype for the modern world. They explore the feminine in the creative process and discuss feminist psychedelic activism, sounding the call for more female voices in the psychedelic research community.

Sharing the power of “femtheogenic” wisdom to help us move beyond a patriarchal society, this book reveals how feminine consciousness, when intermingled with psychedelic knowledge, carries and imparts the essence of inclusivity, interconnectedness, and balance our world needs to heal and consciously evolve.

Reseñas de la Crítica

“Words like ‘essential knowledge’ and ‘provocative’ somehow fail to do justice to the content between these covers. These are contemporary, controversial issues in psychedelics that aren’t adequately being addressed elsewhere: abuses of power and the ethical behavior of psychedelic guides and shamans and the role of psychedelics not only in women reclaiming their power but in deconstructing the gender binary. There is mystery and potential in the feminine, the yin shadow. That darkness is an important piece of the power and glory that is woman. I applaud this project and recommend it heartfully. It is crucial information that needs to be integrated into the psychedelic community and the larger tribe of humanity. Also, the artwork is gorgeous and inspiring.”

“This edited volume presents a wide-ranging history of the roots of the current psychedelic renaissance. From the ancient rites of Dionysus, scholars and practitioners explore how the Sacred Feminine opens a doorway into the Divine via both ecstatic trance and an embodied connection to nature. Psychedelic Mysteries of the Feminine is a valuable addition to all collections of psychedelic mysticism.”

“This impressive volume weaves together an evolving understanding of the psychedelic feminine through essays and art. The call for all people to embrace the Divine Feminine in its many forms is loud and clear in this celebration of the feminine voice and historical perspective. We have the power to transform our culture and our world. This anthology is a wonderful aid in discovering a path toward love, healing, and balance.”

“This book is packed with ideas, information, and analysis on the importance of the feminine in psychedelic, ecstatic, and shamanic practice--topics I find utterly fascinating and sorely needed in this time of crisis, with our longing for transition and with our need for inspiration and magic beyond our current paradigm.”

“From this groundbreaking collection there emerges a specific feminine approach to mind-altering substances, a phenomenon that has been breaking through and doing its part in driving the psychedelic renaissance. The multicultural contributors speak from their personal experiences with entheogens. The female perspective amplifies the yin component at the heart of the visionary plant experience. There is authenticity and activism here, along with a wide-ranging body of tremendously useful information enhanced with mind-bending shamanic art.”

“Psychedelic Mysteries of the Feminine is an essential addition to the world’s psychedelic library. A superbly conceived, edited, and visually stimulating anthology in which a chorus of activists, researchers, visionaries, and fourth-wave feminist voices offer remedies to the challenges of our time.”

Could have been interesting

The narration made this book frustrating to listen to, every quote unquote with page reference was annoying. I understand the book was a collection of essays, but as a listener I don't need to hear quote unquote with reference every single time. The reviews on Amazon said there were beautiful pictures, so maybe it's better to have the actual book than have it narrated.

Powerful!!!

The discussion in this book is beautifully constructed and engagingly performed!
Thank you for giving voice to this topic, Maria (and for sharing your lovely narration voice, Rosie!!!).
Hear hear!

I was so excited about this book...

I struggled to get thru this book audibly. I feel that speaking where the text was cited and every quote/unquote was unnecessary and distracting. Other than that I enjoyed the content.

Wonderful Book Destroyed by Awful Narration

This is a very interesting book. However, the narration detracted significantly for me. The narrator mispronounces words and her cadence and emphases detract from the material, changing the entire meaning at times, in my opinion. What a waste of such an important enquiry.

Slow Burn

its a slow burn, no doubt. it gets really interesting 2-3 hours in. Keep an ooen mind. You might bring in some new perspective. Its not objective but well cited. The books oersoextive also goes into "objectivity". Challenge yourself with this. Especially guys.