I kinda made a habit of observing midwinter by dropping psychedelics. I recently recalled my experience from last year, which was pretty awesome. This year was cool too, I wrote a few words about it already...
So... after getting out of a pretty shit abusive relationship in the summer, and spending one of the best half years in my life ever afterwards, there I was on the 21st of December or thereabouts, hard boiling eggs.. and well, I kinda forgot about it and burned the eggs black.
So what do I think then, this will be the perfect material component for a ritual. I packed the eggs in a paper bag, put them in my backpack, took 100ug's of LSD, and headed out into the woods. It's a wooded area I'm really familiar with, and can easily navigate in complete darkness, so I felt safe to go there. On my way, coming up on the acid, I had the realization that I cannot do the ritual in that area, as it would offend the spirits of the place - after all, I wanted to do a huge spiritual purging. However, I was intensely afraid to go to the area I felt right for the ritual, so I decided to ask for protection from this friendly place.
By the time I was out in the woods, in the darkness I literally saw houses and mansions with lights all around me. It was a full-blown dreamquest in superposition with reality. At a certain 'mansion' I took to the 'gate' and 'stairs' leading 'inside'. The woods kinda opened up for me, I didn't stumble or get snagged by anything, the superposition seemed perfect. The fae or spirits living there welcomed me, and allowed me to express my gratitude and respect. In return, I got a gift of goodwill and protection.
Continuing on, the vision faded slightly, but approaching a 'power spot' I had a feeling for from before, I felt hugged and protected by this warm, motherly power. All the fear disappeared, and I continued on invigorated, wondering at each step at the beauty of everything that surrounds me.
Continuing through a populated area, I felt the acid take me even higher, every sound, every light, every movement had significance... and I was totally set on my course. About an hour later I reached the place of the ritual on a wooded slope that I always felt was imbued with a rather unfriendly, 'nightside' spirit... With the protection though, I felt perfectly okay even with all the symbols of darkness around me. I found a small sinkhole that felt just right, took some paper and wooden scraps, cleaned the ground in a circle and made a tiny fire and put in the eggs.
Then, a thick branch, like a club or walking stick was suddenly in my hand. It felt like a perfect ritual staff. When the fire subsided, I walked down, waited a bit until the eggs weren't too hot, picked up each egg, and with an old-style rhyme of casting evil away (with a whole lot of swearing and little elegance), I proceeded to smash all the eggs by throwing them at tree trunks.
Then I stomped out the remains of the fireplace, and with my new stick, proceeded to walk back home. On my way home I met a number of tall, skeletal trees that reminded me of old, wizened crones, so I greeted them properly, as one would potentially malevolent spirits, and felt a sense of surprise and appreciation from them at my 'good manners'. Feeling accepted by this unfriendly forest, and having finished my little exorcism, things were looking really up.
Finally, as I crossed the bottom of the valley on my way back home, I felt an immense sense of relief and rejuvenation. When I got home the peak was past, it turned out I had been walking for over four hours, and covered in dirt and mud. But it was totally worth it.
This year's midwinter trip was less epic. Maybe the spring equinox one...
Do you believe in the THIRD SUMMER OF LOVE?