Hello Nexians,

I've been seriously considering using Ayahuasca for some time now but I don't have the resources to travel into the jungle. I'm a Pagan, I practice a kind of ancestor worship and venerate various Indo-European gods. I've been researching reconstructionist forms of paganism, anthropology, entheogens, and I've been coming up with some ideas for a personal rituals.

-------------------------------------------Overview-of-Experiment-------------------------------------------

Setting

Home, Dimly lit room, Mugwort incense


Substance

Ayahuasca (MHRB,Roja Yage)

Sound

Ambient Norse Music, Nature sounds, Sami Joiking

Intent

My will going into this is simply to experience the other world, to go into a trance state in a way similar to the ways of my ancestors in an attempt to see into the void through their eyes.

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I'd love to hear your opinions, questions, and advice.

If that is the setting that makes you feel comfortable, go for it. I would advise thou to have a companion that you trust.

i think a structured ritual is not necessary but i do think it can be a very good thing if you have pre-existing beliefs.

I think that it is more important to develop your own ritual than to follow anything that anyone else does, i think something that you design yourself and put intention into is gonna be much more usefull than to copy what they do in the jungle.

Since you have a Pagan belief i think its wise to try to incorporate that as much as possible into what it is your doing, im not very familiar with Paganism but im guessing that there is going to be some plant use in its history and i think its wise you have looked into this as i think this is where you will gain the most advantages.

I think your outline is good but seems a little generic, i would try to use more items that symbolise your beliefs and Pagan traditions. Norse music is a good idea, mugwort is good too, but are there other items you can add to the space? I have some things given to me from friends, some small statues i identify with and some gifts i got from my ayahuasca vendor, some beads i use for meditation and a few other things.

My very limited and probably inacurate knowledge of Paganism is that they worship the earth in some fashion, i would include items that fit with this. If you plan on taking a taster dose i would go to a safe place outside to drink.

hope that is helpful and dont forget to let us know how it goes

Sounds good ...let us know how things went

I plan on making offerings to Perun and Veles. Perun is the god of thunder and carries the Sun to the sky every day. Veles is the god of wealth, punishing oath breakers with disease, the underworld, and shapeshifts between a bearded man, serpents and cattle. I have evidence that one of my ancestors swore himself to both of these gods and remained a staunch pagan throughout his life. (I guess he'd have to, Veles woulda got him ) Mugwort was used as a 'traveling' herb to achieve visionary states by many cultures in Europe, it was also very common in brews made by witches. Mugwort is also used to treat stomach pain and discomfort. I'm hoping it will help alleviate some of the nausea during the ceremony.

I do have a ring and a mask representative of Perun I could set up when I do the Ayahuasca ceremony. I may make a few banners to hang up with bindrunes, tridents, and other symbols.

I have made plans to construct a Ve, a kind of sacred space, and a small shelter called a Hof based on various northern European designs.

Thanks for the help everyone, I'll continue to update as prepare for the ceremony and post a full experience report afterwards.