Soma: The Divine Mushroom of Immortality by Gordon Wasson (PDF) – A Review

In this article, I will review the book Soma: The Divine Mushroom of Immortality by Gordon Wasson, which was published in 1968 and is available as a PDF file online . This book is a classic work of ethnobotany and mythology, in which Wasson argues that soma, the mysterious plant that was revered and consumed by the ancient Indo-Aryan priests in the Rigveda, was none other than the fly-agaric mushroom (Amanita muscaria), a psychoactive fungus that grows in northern Eurasia.

Wasson’s book is divided into three parts. The first part, titled Soma: Divine Mushroom of Immortality, presents Wasson’s main thesis and evidence. He traces the history of soma from its origins in the Rigveda, the oldest collection of Hindu hymns, to its disappearance in later Vedic texts. He analyzes the linguistic, botanical, and cultural clues that point to the identity of soma as a mushroom, and compares it with other sacred plants and fungi in various traditions around the world. He also discusses the effects of soma on the human mind and body, and its role in the religious rituals and cosmology of the Indo-Aryans.

The second part, written by Wendy Doniger O’Flaherty, is titled The Post-Vedic History of the Soma Plant. It explores what happened to soma after it vanished from the Vedic literature, and how it was replaced by other plants and substances that claimed to be soma or had similar properties. O’Flaherty examines the references to soma in post-Vedic texts such as the Brahmanas, the Upanishads, the Puranas, and the epics. She also looks at the possible connections between soma and other psychoactive plants such as cannabis, ephedra, opium, and datura.

The third part, titled Northern Eurasia and the Fly-Agaric, deals with the ethnographic evidence for the use of fly-agaric as a hallucinogen by various peoples in Siberia, Scandinavia, and elsewhere. It includes two exhibits: one on the fly-agaric in Siberia, and another on the fly-agaric in Scandinavian writings. It also contains citations from the Rigveda that mention soma, and an index.

One of the most fascinating aspects of Wasson’s book is his comparison of soma with other sacred plants and fungi that have been used for religious and spiritual purposes by different cultures. He suggests that soma may have been the original source of inspiration for the idea of a divine plant that confers immortality, knowledge, and ecstasy. He also points out the similarities and differences between soma and other psychoactive plants such as peyote, psilocybin mushrooms, ololiuqui, ayahuasca, iboga, and ergot.

Another intriguing aspect of Wasson’s book is his exploration of the fly-agaric as a hallucinogen in northern Eurasia. He shows how the fly-agaric has been used by various peoples such as the Samoyeds, the Ostyaks, the Koryaks, the Chukchi, the Kamchadals, and the Lapps. He describes the methods of preparation and consumption of the mushroom, and the effects it produces on the users. He also discusses the cultural and symbolic meanings of the fly-agaric in these societies, and how it relates to their myths, legends, rituals, and art.

In the last part of his book, Wasson focuses on the fly-agaric in Scandinavia, and its possible connection to soma. He argues that the fly-agaric may have been the original soma plant that was brought by the Indo-Aryans from their homeland in Central Asia to India, and then to Europe by the Indo-European migrations. He cites evidence from linguistics, archaeology, folklore, and literature to support his hypothesis. He also analyzes the role of the fly-agaric in the Norse mythology and religion, and its association with Odin, the god of ecstasy, poetry, and magic.

Wasson’s book is a masterpiece of scholarship and imagination, and a landmark in the study of ethnobotany and mythology. It is also a captivating and compelling story of a personal quest for the truth about soma, the divine mushroom of immortality. Wasson’s book is not only a valuable source of information, but also a source of inspiration for anyone who is interested in the mysteries of nature and the human mind.

To conclude this article, I would like to summarize the main points of Wasson’s book and its significance. Wasson’s book is a groundbreaking work that identifies soma, the sacred plant of the ancient Indo-Aryans, as the fly-agaric mushroom, a psychoactive fungus that grows in northern Eurasia. Wasson’s book also explores the history, culture, and mythology of soma and the fly-agaric in various traditions around the world. Wasson’s book is a fascinating and enlightening journey into the realm of ethnobotany and mythology, and a tribute to the power and beauty of nature and the human spirit.

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The Quest for Soma: Gordon Wasson’s Discovery of the Divine Mushroom of Immortality (PDF)

This article reviews the book Soma: The Divine Mushroom of Immortality by Gordon Wasson, which was published in 1968 and is available as a PDF file online. The book is a classic work of ethnobotany and mythology, in which Wasson argues that soma, the mysterious plant that was revered and consumed by the ancient Indo-Aryan priests in the Rigveda, was none other than the fly-agaric mushroom (Amanita muscaria), a psychoactive fungus that grows in northern Eurasia. The article summarizes the main arguments and evidence of Wasson’s book, and discusses its significance and impact on the study of ethnobotany and mythology.

Here is a possible call to action and introduction for this article:

If you are interested in learning more about soma, the divine mushroom of immortality, and how Gordon Wasson discovered its identity and significance, you should read his book Soma: The Divine Mushroom of Immortality, which is available as a PDF file online. You can download it for free from the links below, or buy a hard copy from Amazon. You will not regret reading this amazing and inspiring book, which will open your eyes to the wonders of nature and the human mind.

Have you ever wondered what soma was? Soma was a sacred plant that was used by the ancient Indo-Aryan priests in their religious rituals. Soma was said to confer immortality, knowledge, and ecstasy to those who drank its juice. Soma was also praised as the source of inspiration for poetry, music, and art. Soma was a mystery that fascinated and puzzled scholars for centuries. What was soma? Where did it come from? How did it work? Was it still available?

In this article, I will review the book that solved the mystery of soma. The book is called Soma: The Divine Mushroom of Immortality, and it was written by Gordon Wasson, a banker, amateur mycologist, and adventurer. Wasson’s book was published in 1968, and it is available as a PDF file online. In his book, Wasson reveals that soma was none other than the fly-agaric mushroom (Amanita muscaria), a psychoactive fungus that grows in northern Eurasia. Wasson’s book is a masterpiece of scholarship and imagination, and a landmark in the study of ethnobotany and mythology. It is also a captivating and compelling story of a personal quest for the truth about soma, the divine mushroom of immortality.

Here is a possible headline and bio for this article:

How a Banker Found the Secret of Soma: The Divine Mushroom of Immortality (PDF)

Gordon Wasson was a banker by profession, but he had a passion for mushrooms. He was fascinated by the cultural and historical aspects of fungi, and he traveled the world to study them. He was especially interested in the role of mushrooms in religion and spirituality. He was the first to document the use of psilocybin mushrooms by the Mazatec Indians in Mexico, and he coined the term “ethnomycology” to describe the study of mushrooms and human culture. He also made one of the most remarkable discoveries in the history of ethnobotany: he identified soma, the sacred plant of the ancient Indo-Aryans, as the fly-agaric mushroom (Amanita muscaria), a psychoactive fungus that grows in northern Eurasia. He wrote a book about his findings, called Soma: The Divine Mushroom of Immortality, which was published in 1968 and is available as a PDF file online. In this article, I will review Wasson’s book and its significance.

Here is a possible subheading and conclusion for this article:

The Mystery of Soma: How Gordon Wasson Solved It

Soma was a sacred plant that was used by the ancient Indo-Aryan priests in their religious rituals. Soma was said to confer immortality, knowledge, and ecstasy to those who drank its juice. Soma was also praised as the source of inspiration for poetry, music, and art. Soma was a mystery that fascinated and puzzled scholars for centuries. What was soma? Where did it come from? How did it work? Was it still available?

The Significance of Wasson’s Book: A Landmark in Ethnobotany and Mythology

Wasson’s book presents a convincing argument that soma was indeed the fly-agaric mushroom, based on linguistic, botanical, and cultural evidence. He traces the history of soma from its origins in the Rigveda, the oldest collection of Hindu hymns, to its disappearance in later Vedic texts. He analyzes the clues that point to the identity of soma as a mushroom, and compares it with other sacred plants and fungi in various traditions around the world. He also discusses the effects of soma on the human mind and body, and its role in the religious rituals and cosmology of the Indo-Aryans.

Wasson’s book also explores the history, culture, and mythology of soma and the fly-agaric in various traditions around the world. He suggests that soma may have been the original source of inspiration for the idea of a divine plant that confers immortality, knowledge, and ecstasy. He also points out the similarities and differences between soma and other psychoactive plants such as peyote, psilocybin mushrooms, ololiuqui, ayahuasca, iboga, and ergot. He also examines the ethnographic evidence for the use of fly-agaric as a hallucinogen by various peoples in Siberia, Scandinavia, and elsewhere. He describes the methods of preparation and consumption of the mushroom, and the effects it produces on the users. He also discusses the cultural and symbolic meanings of the fly-agaric in these societies, and how it relates to their myths, legends, rituals, and art.

To conclude this article, I would like to recommend Wasson’s book to anyone who is curious about soma, the divine mushroom of immortality. It is a fascinating and enlightening read that will open your eyes to the wonders of nature and the human mind. You can download it for free from the links below, or buy a hard copy from Amazon. You will not regret reading this amazing and inspiring book.

I have already written a conclusion for this article in the previous message. Here it is again:

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