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

Salvia divinorum | Diviner's Sage

Botanical Overview:

  • Family: Lamiaceae (Mint family)

  • Common Names: Diviner’s Sage, Seer’s Sage, Magic Mint, Ska María Pastora

  • Plant Type: Perennial herb

  • Native Range: Sierra Mazateca region of Oaxaca, Mexico

  • Key Identifiers:

    • Square stems and large, ovate leaves with serrated edges

    • White flowers with violet calyces (rarely blooms outside native habitat)

    • Grows best in shaded, moist conditions


Properties:

  • Active Compounds: Salvinorin A (primary psychoactive diterpene)

  • Pharmacological Actions: Potent kappa-opioid receptor agonist with dissociative and hallucinogenic effects


Distribution and Habitat:

  • Thrives in tropical, humid environments with rich, well-drained soil

  • Found naturally in cloud forests at elevations of 1,000–2,000 meters

  • Cultivated in controlled environments worldwide due to its unique properties

Medicinal Uses:

  • Limited traditional medicinal use among the Mazatec people for treating headaches, rheumatism, and diarrhea

  • Modern research explores potential antidepressant and addiction treatment properties, though clinical evidence is limited


Psychoactive Properties and Effects:

  • Psychoactive Nature:

    • One of the most potent naturally occurring hallucinogens

    • Causes profound alterations in perception, including visual and auditory hallucinations, dissociation, and changes in time perception

    • Effects are highly dose-dependent:

      • Low Dose: Mild relaxation, subtle changes in thought patterns

      • High Dose: Intense, immersive visions and detachment from physical reality

    • Duration: Effects are short-lived, typically lasting 5–20 minutes when smoked or vaporized

  • Psychedelic Nature: Strongly psychedelic, with unique effects distinct from classical psychedelics like LSD or psilocybin (non-serotonergic mechanism)


Magical Correspondences and Uses:

  • Element: Air

  • Planetary Association: Neptune

  • Magical Uses:

    • Used in shamanic practices to access visions and spiritual insights

    • Facilitates divination, communication with spirits, and exploration of altered states of consciousness

    • Often employed in ritual settings for spiritual cleansing and guidance


Folklore and Mythology:

  • Considered a sacred plant by the Mazatec people, who refer to it as "Ska María Pastora" (Leaves of Mary, the Shepherdess).

  • Traditionally used in spiritual ceremonies for divination and healing, often as a tea or chewed in a quiet, meditative setting.

  • Regarded as a gift from the Virgin Mary, believed to provide guidance and wisdom to those who seek her aid.

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