Chapter 10: Rituals
If you’ve done your research, you’ve read of something called “set and setting.” You’ve probably also read that your set and setting are instrumental when seeking a positive mushroom experience. But what exactly does that mean?
In a word, everything.
Think of “set” as your interior state—your mood and expectations among many other factors. It’s the lens through which you anticipate your experience.
“Setting” is your exterior state—literally where you are. This includes any people who may be with you, the general vibe of the place, even down to the choice of music (if any), or whether your chosen space is light or dark.
Light versus dark, or inside versus outdoors, makes the largest impact on my own experiences.
It is common practice to have a “trip sitter” present for moderate to high doses, at least until you get your mushroom footing. A trip sitter is pretty self-explanatory. They are to be your sober companion, so to speak. Someone to provide a hug if you need it, help if you need it, guidance if you need it, and a safe ride back home if you choose to venture out. I do not have a trip sitter for my Chill or Meditation Doses, but frequently have one for my Beach Dose, which by some estimations is still a pretty low dose. My boyfriend is my trip sitter, my sexy and lovable mushroom-sober companion. He got a little carried away with psychedelics in his youth and has chosen to abstain from them for many years. But he’s the type to stare at trees and birds for hours on end anyway, so he’s the perfect trip sitter.
I’d like to discuss “setting” first. This is the exterior environment. I began working with mushrooms in my home because I’m a home kind of girl—and this is the perfect setting for my Chill or Meditation Dose. I’m in a comfortable environment, surrounded by art and beautiful things. I have my kitties which bring me tremendous joy. And pillows. And blankets. And coffee.
But the Beach Dose is different. The first time I jumped from .2 grams to .6 grams, I was unprepared for my setting to turn on me. This was my home after all. Art and beautiful things. Kitties fergodsake! I’ll expand on that experience in a later chapter, but will sum it up now to say that the light changed. No, the sun didn’t shift. My perception of light and shadow was just…off. Typically, areas of bright light are made even more so when juxtaposed against an area of darkness, like a shadow. In the art world, it’s called chiaroscuro. Leonardo da Vinci was a well-known adopter of this painting technique, as was Caravaggio. Sharp tonal contrasts which make lighter colors glow even brighter from the canvas, almost as though lit from behind.
So when I say that the light changed, imagine the shadows absorbing all nearby light, dulling them, taking away their power. And as the shadows consumed more of this light, they seemed to open up, causing an odd reversal of contrast.
Everything became visually muddy.
It was uncomfortable. A sense of foreboding was growing in the air.
I spent the rest of the afternoon outside with my boyfriend-turned-unexpected-trip-sitter. I stared at the plants in our garden. They had taken on a distinct definition and their colors were magnificent. I listened to birds. I threw a ball for our dog. And that sense of foreboding I had inside was quickly transformed into peace. Perhaps the mushroom was highlighting a personal deficiency: I needed to get outside more. I needed to adopt a new appreciation for the natural world. The mushroom was communicating in the only way it could, so I listened.
Because when a mushroom speaks, it would behoove you to listen.
Anything approaching .6 grams requires an outdoor setting for me. I know that now.
On to set.
This is the interior work you will need to prepare beforehand.
It takes between 40-60 minutes after consuming a mushroom before I begin to feel the effects. That is my time frame. I have developed one particular ritual, and I believe it to be a key player in the positive effects I’ve had in my journey so far.
I take a good long shower.
It’s not just about cleansing my body. I use the shower as an opportunity to also cleanse my mind. I’ve always been a fan of affirmations. Like little magical spells cast over the brain, I find them highly effective. I have developed one specifically for mushroom use, and I say it—out loud and repeatedly—from the moment I turn on the water until the moment I reach for the towel.
The world is beautiful and amazing and I’m excited to be a part of it.
This affirmation not only sets the expectation that I will recognize wonder in my world, but it also serves as a reminder that I am lucky to be alive and shouldn’t wish otherwise. It’s a little push forward in my big fight against depression and suicidal ideations, as my quest for mental health is now directly tied to my mushroom use.
Ancient cultures performed sacred rituals and ceremonies in order to honor the mushroom before it was consumed. Those rituals are not mine to speak of, and they are not mine to imitate. But this fact highlights the importance of set. Were ancient cultures actually blessed with permission from the gods to receive the mushroom’s divine healing? Or were they successful in their quests and visions simply because they believed the gods to have given their blessing? A small dose of placebo?
In the end, does it matter?
Medical researchers are required to include placebo studies in their work in order to source whether a drug’s benefits are legitimate or in the mind. But does the requirement of a placebo study not already confirm the power of the mind? It would not be a requirement in drug testing were it not highly effective. Sometimes the brain can be as powerful as a pill. Or in the case of ancient cultures, perhaps as divine as a god. “In your head” should never be spoken of dismissively. The mind is a powerful tool. Use it.
If affirmations speak to you, feel free to use mine, or any alteration of it. There’s something wholly satisfying about creating a small ritual to set your mushroom expectations.
Perhaps it’s even divine.
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