Shroom: A Cultural History Of The Magic Mushroom

By Dr. Markho Rafael

Anyone interested in magic mushrooms needs to read the 2006 book by Andy Letcher titled "Shroom: A Cultural History of the Magic Mushroom." You may or may not like it, because the author does not pull his punches with existing theories on Shroom history. But even so, you need to read it!

Why? Because there is probably no other human alive besides Letcher that has read practically every piece of information ever published about magic mushrooms. And he has been good enough to put it together for us in a compact book of only 300 pages. (384 with reference section and index.)

Two major portions of Shroom are devoted to the Siberian use of the Fly Agaric for both recreational and spiritual purposes, and to Gordon Wasson's mid-century discovery of magic mushroom use in Mexico and subsequent popularization of Psilocybin mushrooms in the West.

Later on in the book, Letcher give a historic account of the immensely popular 'free festivals' in Britain during the late 1970's and early 80's. The no. 1 'drug' of choice at these festivals was wild-harvested magic mushrooms. Margaret Thatcher successfully put a stop to these festivals, thereby ending the second wave of magic mushroom use. The third and still ongoing wave of shroom popularity began when simple methods of cultivating Psilocybe mushrooms in large quantities were developed by American Terence McKenna.

My main reservation when it comes to this book is that Letcher, at least in the beginning, seems overly prone to side with the critics and skeptics of the many various theories of historic use of magic mushrooms.

E.g. he points out that the ancient petroglyphs in Tassili, Algeria, which many shroom enthusiasts are convinced depict shamans with magic mushroom, could potentially have several other interpretations. The reader is left with a sense that because there are other possible interpretations, therefore, the mushroom interpretation is wrong.

Letcher's critical analysis of the many theories on historic use of magic mushrooms would have been excellent if it had been balanced in terms of pros and cons, which it is not.

This lack of balance is especially blatant when one realizes that he uses the reality of a changing environment and flora as an argument against the possible use of magic mushrooms by Druids in a heavily forested ancient Britain even though it grows abundantly in British pastures today, while simultaneously arguing that the Fly agaric could not have been used in ancient Egypt because no Fly agaric related mushroom grows there today.

In all fairness, though, Letcher does get more balanced in his presentation of different viewpoints towards the end of the book, acknowledging several times that there is no objective way to be sure which of the opposing claims are valid. He deserves kudos for that.

All in all, this book must surely be the most thorough and comprehensive account ever written on the history of magic mushrooms; in particular the more recent part of that history, relating to the past one hundred years or so.

In addition to magic mushrooms, Shroom is also an account of the history of psychedelics in general. Large portions of the book tell the stories of Aldous Huxley and mescaline, Timothy Leary and LSD, and the more recent use of ecstasy at rave fests.

So notwithstanding my reservations against Letcher's slightly unbalanced presentation in the first half of the book, I really do think that anyone with a serious interest in magic mushrooms needs to read Shroom. There is no other book like it out there, I'm sure.

About the Author:

Get your copy of Shroom by Andy Letcher now! Dr. Rafael graduated from Chiropractic College in 1996. He now specializes in studying and writing about herbal medicine. You can find additional reviews on mushroom books at www.mycelium-running.info.

The Orthodox Values In Memorial Service

By Tom Tree

Traditional funeral services are important to most families. The ethnic traditions in funeral service - East European family-Orthodox practiced by families is no different. Their religion is known as eastern orthodox and is an off shoot of Catholicism. Their funeral practices are very similar to those of the Catholic faith.

In eastern European families cremation is a big no. They believe that they should be returned to the earth. Bodies are dealt with by being put into a coffin and then buried into the earth. This is normally accompanied by a grave side service and mourners throwing some dirt on the coffin once it is in the grave.

Organ donation on the other hand is all right. It goes under helping people out even in death. In order to be an organ donor an eastern European would need to fill out an organ donor card in the presence of at least one witness. It is believed that the practice of helping others out in this way is referenced in the bible.

Several prayers are said over the dying and the dead in this religion. These prayers are to get the soul to depart the body to continue its journey. These are ordinarily accompanied by a vigil and a viewing. They prepare for death when someone is terminally ill rather than waiting until after they are gone.

A funeral is held as is a wake. They have the funeral at a church, the wake at the home, and a small service that is graveside. Normally crosses, flowers and other gifts are given to the deceased's family members. Not giving a gift at this time is considered extremely rude and gifts of white flowers are especially good.

If you are planning a funeral for someone who is Eastern Orthodox you should speak with the church on exact needs. They will be happy to speak with you and you do not want to do anything that will offend anyone especially at this trying time. It is important to observe all of the important practices when dealing with mourning relatives.

About the Author:

Get more details on how you can select a stunning gravestone that will reflect your ethnic traditions today! The right tombstone will reflect your traditions for generations to come.

The Christian Family Experiences In Memorial Service

By Tom Tree

Certain elements of a funeral are expected to take place when a person who is a member of a Christian family passes away. There are traditions that have been part of Christian funerals for centuries. Others have more recently become customary and are now frequently integrated into the services. The most important ethnic traditions in funeral service - Christian family members will want to be sure to include is the reading of scripture.

Services are usually held at a church or at a funeral home. Often times, the body of the deceased family member is at the funeral home for several days prior to the funeral service. It is taken care of by the undertaker, or funeral director, and prepared for burial.

The body is then placed in a casket and kept at the home if that is where the funeral will take place. If the service is to take place at a church, it is held at the home until just before the funeral, and taken to the church in a type of automobile called a hearse. If the body is going to be cremated, the service can be conducted without the body present, or the cremation can take place after the service is over.

There is typically an open house called a viewing, wake, or visitation the night before the funeral. These take place so that loved ones of the deceased can gather and offer condolences. The casket containing the body is also present, and attendees are able to view it and say their final farewells.

There is usually an obituary placed in the local newspaper that serves as a notice of the death to the community. The time and location of the visitation and funeral service are usually noted there, unless the funeral is to be private, for family only.

A minister or pastor traditionally conducts the service, regardless if it is held at a funeral home or a church. Scripture from the Bible is read to give hope and encouragement to the mourners in attendance. After the service, if the deceased is to be buried, not cremated, there is a graveside service where family and friends gather at the cemetery where the grave is located, and watch as the body is lowered into the ground. Following the graveside and funeral services, those attending return to the funeral home or church for a brief time of fellowship and remembering of the deceased.

About the Author:

A headstone or monument on the grave of a family member is typical in many cultures. These are intended to last for ages and are usually made from granite or marble.

I LOVE Mornings! Don't You?

By Kim Thornton

Do you complain about mornings, especially Monday morning? It's something that seems to be endemic in our society. And that's a real shame.

But pause for a moment and think about the alternative.

Anyone who complains about morning should keep this that in mind, If it's a choice between waking up and not, well, which do you prefer?

But for most MCs (morning complainers) it's not a question of waking up or not, it's what their life is like when they do wake up. The way I see it is, if you're complaining about waking up in the morning, you must be pretty unhappy about your lot in life. Wouldn't you agree?

Let's face it, waking up with a new day laid out before you, 24 new fresh hours ready for you to experience is really a wonderful gift.

Now I know that every minute of every day can be filled with pure joy and happiness. Every waking moment can't be overflowing with enthusiasm. That's simply unrealistic. We all have things we must do that we'd rather not. There are mundane boring activities that must be attended to. But... to "hate" mornings speaks volumes to me. It says you've made some poor choices in life. Let's face it, if thinking about doing some unpleasant tasks colors your entire perspective on life, wake up and smell the roses!

Because life really is all the choices we make. We make hundreds, maybe thousands of them every day. The vast majority of our choices are small such as what shirt to wear or should I have that second cup of coffee, and a few are major such as the decision to buy a new house or to find a new job.

Some of our choices involve physical things as mentioned above. But many are strictly between the ears! And that's what I want to focus on in the rest of this article. And it brings us back to the MCs.

We all make the choice of waking up to a day full of opportunities and challenges or focusing on all the things we dread.

It's a question of choices.

Let's say you find yourself in a job you detest. Why are you there? What choices did you make to get there and what choices are you making that keep you there?

Is your choosing to be miserable making things worse. Could you improve your enjoyment of life if you simple made a choice to be happier, to greet people with a smile and to be more helpful?

Whether you like it and accept it or not, we all choose the outlook we have towards life. It really is sad that a lot of people choose to be victims. And yes, that is a choice people make. Maybe not consciously, but that's the nature of being a victim. In reality most people who play the victim role won't even recognize themselves as such.

Now I'm not saying that you choose to be a victim, it's just an example. What I am going to do though, is challenge you to take a serious look at your perspective on life.

If you fall short, in other words if you don't view life as a great and wonderful adventure that you anticipate with enthusiasm every day, I challenge you to make some new choices. Do you need to find some new opportunities to go after or do you simply need to start seeing life in a new light?

It's your choice!

About the Author:

If you're ready to make some new choices to change the direction of your life, if you're dissatisfied with your present income and lifestyle and are looking for more, check out the FireYourBossAdvisor.com. It might be the best choice you've made for a long time!

Five Foundations Of A Christian Worldview

By Walter Lindgren

Christian believers typically adhere to five traditions that form a worldview that shapes the nature of their beliefs. This outlook may also contain characteristics that other individuals perceive as factors which, in fact, identify a person as a Christian. The article that follows is not intended to be a creed or the final statement on the matter, but a dependable outline of Christian beliefs.

The first point of such a worldview is belief in a single God, monotheism, and an over-arching love of the deity who is specifically accountable for all creation. With this as the foundation of a Christian worldview, for example, an individual's opinion of concepts that do not acknowledge God or that do not recognize the origin of creation will lead to a lack of agreement with these ideas.

The second factor in a Christian worldview is acceptance of Jesus as the son of God and the only salvation for humans, in the sense that Jesus is the path to everlasting life in heaven. In order to be a "Christian," the meaning of the term requires literal faith in Jesus as a personal savior. This affects an individual's worldview in several ways, primarily in the contexts of knowing that others who believe in Jesus are also saved, that those who reject this belief are not part of the church community, and that there may be a need for educating others about the Christian faith.

The third element of describing a worldview for the Christian faith is a belief in the Holy Ghost (or Spirit) as the active presence of God's power, especially as shown by the acts of the apostles. This leads to the need for good works, or positive actions, through the church and within the community. A Christian approach to life will develop active expressions of one's faith to affect other people.

The fourth component of such a worldview would be the notion of Christians as people of the book, biblios, the Bible. The Bible functions as a source of inspiration and specifically describes the point of view that each Christian should use to evaluate the events of their lives. The New Testament shows people how to believe, think, and act in order to be Christians which, in turn, forms one's worldview.

And the fifth element is the instruction that Christians are to demonstrate their "love" for other people in every aspect of their lives. From the basis of choosing to love other people, a Christian worldview accepts that all things will ultimately demonstrate God's love for his faithful, that belief in Jesus is the path to everlasting life, and that Christians can express that love through their actions toward others.

A worldview developed from these five Christian principles may lead to the personal observation that God will take care of all things in good time, and that belief in Jesus, faith in the community of the church, and actions that express love toward others will result in a calm, peaceful, joyous life, though not without sufferings of the faith and physical world. And it is the promise of salvation through Jesus that gives genuine meaning to the Christian worldview.

About the Author:

W. H. Lindgren is a published writer now working on a fiction novel. For an in-depth review of today's Christian news and events, visit http://www.FreeChristianPress.com.

Funeral Services And Practices Vary From Culture To Culture

By Adriana Noton

Funeral services are the ceremonies that the world's cultures hold to commemorate the life of one who has been loved that is lost to death. The rituals, customs, and the prayers that have been attached to the practice of rendering honor to the dead vary from country to country. Some create memorials, shrines, or monuments to those that are snatched away by death.

A practice that is common in Canada and the United States is the funeral ceremony where a clergyman officiates. The man often speaks a sermon that involve passages of comfort from texts of a religious nature, a prayer, and a eulogy that discusses the deceased and his, or her, accomplishments in life. After that ritual has finished then there may be second and shorter service at the graveside following a procession out to that location.

Another practice that is unique to one part of the United States is the New Orleans Jazz Funeral. A procession begins at the site of the memorial service and concludes at the site of burial. It consists of a jazz band, family members and friends of the deceased. The music that plays are sad and somber dirges. After the final ceremony at the graveside the procession continues on to a gathering place. During that particular march the music is replaced by music that one can dance to while waving hats and umbrellas in order to celebrate the life of the deceased.

Yet another practice is one that suits the preferences of those who are environmentally conscious. It is called a green funeral. This allows those that have concerns about how traditional burial practices impact the environment can opt to have their remains buried in a way more in line with their beliefs. For example they may choose to be buried in a shroud or coffin that is biodegradable. Their chosen burial place may be in a parkland where they have a tree planted on their grave as a memorial.

Some funeral homes or chapels offer the option of an internet visitation and funeral service. Friends, family, and others who otherwise would be unable to attend can do so via a web cam and computer set up connected to the internet. Thus the support network for those left behind by the deceased can be connected regardless of weather, distance, or circumstance.

How the dead have final disposition can be as varied as the funeral rites themselves. Such as there are many lands in which the remains are placed in a family crypt, individual tomb, or a burial plot. In some areas underground burials are not practical because the ground water is too high. Thus the remains have to be put in a tomb that is above ground. The above ground tombs that are really grand in appearance are often called mausoleums and are used for the dead of the wealthy and prominent families.

Another burial practice that is used is what is know as a burial at sea. It has usually been performed when a death has occur ed aboard a ship that belongs to a seafaring country. The remains are wrapped up in some way and then weights are attached in order to make the body sink at the time it is dropped overboard. Many of the world's major religions have created special services for just this type of occasion.

Funeral services and their associated practices in the would are varied. In point of fact the kinds of rituals that are practiced are as varied as there are peoples, cultures, and countries on the earth. Thus if a memorial for one who is loved can have any form desired.

About the Author:

Losing a loved one is difficult; it is a time of mourning and having to plan a funeral is emotionally staining. Though, with the appropriate resources this pain can be eased a little allowing for families and friends to come together in this time of pain.

A Smart Way To Get Life Insurance Quotes

By Rodney Daniel Bolton

The insurance industry is quite a complicated one. And, this is the same for coverage regarding life, automobile, home or renters, or any other type. It is one in which it requires knowledge and research as well as experience. So, having said that, the best ways to get life insurance quotes is by putting in your own effort and talking to professionals.

If you've never had life insurance, then it is recommended that you speak to those who have. People in your circle of friends and family could certainly help out. They can also recommend someone that they have been associated with either in the past or present.

While people you trust can be helpful, don't stop there. Remember, nowadays, people have the Internet that they can refer to at any given moment. So, it's easy to get answers and good information from the best resources, including the government.

After informing yourself to the best of your ability, visit various websites that allow you to do quotation's online. They're quick and easy to do. Of course, how precise the quotation is depends completely on the amount of information you provide to the various insurers. If you feel wary about providing detailed personal information, just do simple comparison shopping.

The good thing is that you can do as many quotations as you like, totally free of charge. However, some might charge for the service. If so, you could avoid them and just move on. You'll notice that there will be many differences between insurers. They could differ in the terms as well as the coverage, and in the rates they charge.

Once you have followed the step above, then you should be able to discuss in more detail with a professional. Here, you'll understand some more of the lingo used in the industry, and they'll be able to answer any questions you have. More often than not, you will have several questions.

If you find some deals, you should be approaching them with more caution. Depending on where you live, the insurance industry is government regulated. Many countries require them to have money set aside to provide the insurance people have paid for. So, more often than not, you will be protected. But you should be certain of this to avoid any problems in the future, which is what life insurance is for. The bottom line is you want your loved ones to be protected financially in the event of death.

About the Author:

Affordable life insurance quotes can often be hard to find, but then it is the welfare of your family that's in question so the cheapest option may not always be the best. Go to www.forlifeinsurancequotes.com for some detailed information about life insurance quotes