Salvia divinorum
Salvia divinorum aka Diviner's Sage, ska Maria Pastora or simply salvia is a psychoactive plant, a member of the Sage genus. The plant is grown by the Mazatec indigenous people of the Oaxaca mountains in isolated, moist and secret plots. It has been used by their shamans for centuries for healing during spirit journeys. The active chemical, Salvinorin A (there are also B and C forms), is unique in that it is an agonist of neuroreceptors largely ignored by other known drugs.
Salvia divinorum is used as a sacred medicine by indigenous shamanic healers living in the mountainous Sierra Madre Oriental in the northeastern corner of the Mexican State of Oaxaca. In Spanish, these specialized healers are referred to as curanderos; in Mazatec these people are called cho-ta-ci-ne ("one who knows"). Salvia divinorum is primarily used in situations where the curanderos feels it is necessary to travel into the supernatural world in order to discover the true cause of the patient's trouble. It is used in a ceremonial manner to induce a visionary trance state, within which it is possible determine the underlying cause of disease and to learn what steps should be taken to remedy such disease. The leaves are always used fresh and are consumed orally; either by chewing the leaves or drinking an aqueous infusion of the crushed-leaf juices. Sometimes it is given to the patient, sometimes it is taken by the curandero and sometimes both take it together.
Most reports describe the use of this plant by Mazatec shamans, and although it is just barely touched upon in the anthropological literature, it is also reportedly used by their immediately contiguous neighbors, the Cuicatecs and Chinatecs. Given that the plant is quite easily propagated, it is surprising that such an extraordinary herb is only known of in such a geographically limited area. It seems quite probable that it would have found its way to other neighboring tribes through sharing and trade. Perhaps its use is still concealed from the outside world by other groups of indigenous Mexican Indians who still prefer to keep such a sacred plant secret.
Prior to anyone introducing themselves to Salvia divinorum. I highly recommend they thouroughly read Daniel Sieberts: The Salvia divinorum User's Guide. Also I recommend listening to his interview entitled Salvia divinorum from A–Z on the Entheogenic Evolution Podcast. Both of these resources are 100% FREE. If you find them useful please make a donation or purchase from either Daniels or Martins sites to support their outstanding work. Also my notes from the NYT article & interview and The Leaves of the Shepherdess by Kat Harrison.
My personal tips for using Salvia divinorum leaf or extract:
I recommend finding a nice, safe, comfortable, somewhat quiet and dark place where you can lay down. Light some natural incense (out of reach of the user) and play some soft ambient music preferably with no beat or lyrics is ideal. Meditate, breath, set some intention; however let go of expectations
Take 1 - 2 large bong hits of a potency you are familiar with, when you feel it pull you. Lay back, close your eyes and let go of everything you know with the complete confidence that everyone returns safely in about 10 minutes or less. Think it’s like a water slide or roller coaster. Remain seated at all times and just let it take you. Don’t try to control it. Let go of control. Let go of yourself. Let go of your ego, Let go of reality.
When first introducing yourself to the sage. Start with small hits of the lowest potency you can find. Then increase it until you find a dose that meets your needs, but doesn’t send your body running wild while your consciousness is off in Salvia Land. Once one breaks through, its easier for them to re-enter in the future.
Last but not least. Please do not upload videos of yourself or your friends acting stupid on Salvia. Thank you!
Salvia divinorum podcasts:
Below are some of my other favorite podcast episodes that feature Salvia divinorum.
Below is a must for anyone interested in traditional Mazatec shamanic ceremonies:
Recorded by R. G. Wasson
Maria Sabina
in Huautla de Jiménez
July 21, 1956
FREE: MP3 DOWNLOAD
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These Mp3 audio files were made from the nearly impossible to find "Mushroom Ceremony Of the Mazatec Indians Of Mexico" record. This recording was made by R. Gordon Wasson in 1956, in an attempt to chronicle a religious ceremony involving the investigation of psychedelic mushrooms by Indians who are attempting to communicate with the Divine Spirit. Lots of wild, hallucinatory chanting and the like, which might even appeal to fans of phonetic sound poems or dadaist utterings. Another unusual historical document that only Folkways would have released.
"Here is a shamanic performance complete. Gordon Wasson, a pioneer in the study of the role of mushrooms in religious ritual, gives us a transcription of an authentic "consultation" of the sacred mushroom, in sound. The occasion was the illness of a youth. The mushroom, through the mouth of Maria Sabina, a female shaman, decreed that the boy must die. He heard the bad news and died days later. Gordon Wasson taped the entire Velada. Wasson is able to prove that the words and undoubtedly the chant are pre-Cortes, going back for many centuries. Nothing like this record has been done for the new world; it is rivaled in the old world only by the Vedic chants of India".
Track list:
1. Chjon Nka
2. Chjon Nka Catsin
3. Santo...nana
4. Papa Papai
5. Na Ai - Ni Tso
6. Santo...Ji nai...na
7. Jan Jesu Cristo
8. Ji Nai
9. San Pedro
10. Soso Soso
11. Name of Plants
12. Pedro Martinez
13. Don't Be Concerned, Old One
14. Birds
15. Humming, etc.
16. Soft Singing
17. Finale
Recorded by R. G. Wasson in Huautla de Jiménez, in the Mazatec Mountains in the northern corner of the State of Oaxaca, July 21, 1956.