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These plants, funghi and insect illustrations
are part of my botanical oracle deck

Psychotria viridis | Chacruna

Botanical Overview:

  • Genus: Psychotria

  • Family: Rubiaceae (Coffee and madder family)

  • Habit: Evergreen shrub or small tree

  • Height: Can reach 10 meters (33 feet)


Properties:

  • Oval-shaped, leathery leaves with a dark green color.

  • Small, white or yellow flowers in clusters.

  • Produces red or orange berries containing numerous seeds.

  • The leaves and stems are the primary parts used for medicinal and spiritual purposes.


Distribution and Habitat:

  • Native to the Amazon rainforest in South America, particularly in Brazil, Colombia, Peru, and Ecuador.

  • Found in tropical rainforests, growing in understory layers.


Medicinal Uses:

  • Traditionally used in South American cultures for medicinal and spiritual purposes.

  • Contains DMT (dimethyltryptamine), a powerful psychoactive compound.

  • Ayahuasca, a traditional brew containing Psychotria viridis and Banisteriopsis caapi, is used for spiritual ceremonies and healing practices.

  • Due to its psychoactive effects, ayahuasca is not recommended for casual use and should only be consumed under the guidance of experienced practitioners.


Psychoactive Properties and Effects:

  • When combined with a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) like Banisteriopsis caapi in the ayahuasca brew, Psychotria viridis produces a complex array of effects, including:

    • Visual hallucinations

    • Auditory hallucinations

    • Altered states of consciousness

    • Emotional experiences (laughter, crying, fear, euphoria)

    • Spiritual insights and revelations

  • The effects of ayahuasca can be intense and vary widely depending on the individual, the specific preparation, and the setting in which it is consumed.


Magical Correspondences and Uses:

  • Element: Earth, Water (depending on tradition)

  • Planet: Saturn (due to its association with spiritual transformation)

  • Gender: Feminine

  • Associations: Spiritual transformation, divination, healing, connection to the divine

  • Used in shamanic practices for spiritual exploration, healing, and divination.

  • The potent effects of ayahuasca are often associated with profound spiritual experiences.

  • In some cultures, Psychotria viridis is considered a sacred plant and is used in spiritual ceremonies.


Folklore and Mythology:

  • Psychotria viridis has a long history of use in traditional South American cultures, dating back thousands of years.

  • It is often associated with shamanic practices and spiritual healing.

  • In some cultures, Psychotria viridis is believed to have powerful spiritual properties and can be used to connect with the spirit world.


Sources for Further Study:

  • The Spirit of the Vine: A Natural History of Psychedelic Plants by Daniel Siebert

  • Ayahuasca: Visions of the Shamanic World by Luis Eduardo Luna

  • The Sacred Leaf: A Natural History of Psychoactive Plants by Richard Evans Schultes

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