A mushroom ceremony involves the intentional consumption of a psychedelic fungus. Intentions around the psilocybin ceremony range from addressing emotional wounds and working on personal growth, to experiencing mystical connection and spiritual experience. Psychedelic mushrooms (also commonly called “magic mushrooms”) and their ceremonies are not a recent invention with indigenous communities preserving these sacred practices.

There’s evidence that mushroom rituals and the ceremonial use of psilocybin mushrooms dates back into ancient history as seen in Aztec mushroom stones. Prehistoric rock murals depicting mushrooms and plant medicines have been found around the Mediterranean—from Algeria to France and Spain. With the magic mushroom ceremony recorded in ancient artworks, we’re more able to understand how meaningful these psychedelic journeys were for a wide number of cultures.

Mazatec Mushroom Ceremonies

Ceremonial mushroom and plant medicines used in the Americas were still active when the Spanish arrived several hundred years ago. The Aztecs referred to the mushroom as teonanácatl, or the “flesh of the Gods.” It wasn’t long before this form of magic mushroom ceremony came under heavy scrutiny from Spanish colonizers.

From the Spanish perspective, such sacrilege could not stand, and the colonizers worked vehemently to suppress the practices. One culture, however, managed to preserve the tradition of mushroom ceremonies. Living in the mountains of Oaxaca, Mexico, the Mazatec people have successfully preserved their practice of traditional mushroom ceremonies, all the way up to the present day.

The Velada, a Mazatec mushroom ceremony, usually takes place at night. Fresh mushrooms are eaten with honey and, traditionally, three cocoa beans [5]. Participants often start with approximately 2.5-3 grams of dried mushrooms, followed by a second plate of roughly 2 grams.

The Mazatec mushroom ceremony takes place in darkness with the medicine person, the curandera or curandero, who sings and recites prayers, using the power of vocalization to hold the space. This approach to mushroom ceremonies is similar to many other indigenous traditions, including the ayahuasca ceremony.

After the ceremony, participants integrate the experience by focusing on the emotions they felt during the mushroom ritual, and by talking about their experiences with other people. Some people posit that textile art, yoga, and other creative pursuits were originally designed to be a part of the psychedelic integration process.

The safety of participants is a top concern. I take participants’ physical, psychological, and emotional states into consideration to make sure participants are a good fit for this transformational experience. While this medicine is powerful, it is not suitable for everyone. We work together to create a safety plan and set risk management protocols in place. Even before the ceremony begins, we take steps to ensure a smooth experience for participants by screening applicants for suitability and prepare the mindset of participants.

I work with people who are seeking a deeply intentional ceremonial experience with psilocybin. A ceremony can last 4-6 hour with a dose of 2.5-3g of mushrooms depending on your comfort level and the depth you want to go. During ceremony I bring in somatic trauma informed techniques and ancestral practices to help ground you through your journey.

My mission with being of service in this capacity is to be a bridge or connector to the potential of this beautiful medicine. I carry this medicine with deep integrity and facilitate your connection to source, Mother Earth, healing and love. I bring in a very patient, loving, and nurturing energy to your journey while holding you in your power