shamanism

Amantia muscaria and Santa: Botany After Dark Podcast, Episode 7 (Sources and Notes)

Amantia muscaria and Santa: Botany After Dark Podcast, Episode 7 (Sources and Notes)

Amantia muscaria mushrooms have an intriguing and sometimes contradictory ethnobotanical history. In today’s podcast episode, we’ll be diving into their purported connection to jolly old Santa and his team of magically flying reindeer.

Fly Agaric (Amanita muscaria)

Fly Agaric (Amanita muscaria)

There are several species of mushrooms that alter a person's consciousness when ingested.  While botanically mushrooms are not classed as plants, they have played a significant role in human development, whether as a food source, a method of communing with the gods, or as an artistic muse.