Sacred Plants of Pre-Christian Germanic Society

Fly Agaric (Amanita muscaria), a fungus that may be otherwise known as feldswam, wild mushroom, metteswam, was used as a stimulant to aid in shamanic journey and to help the soul fly. In Germanic culture, it's inebriating qualities were used by shamans to reveal visions, dreams and divination. The Germans added the potent mushrooms to their ritual drinks, beer and mead, sharing them with their gods and for the power of divine discovery. It has been said that those who are afraid of themselves can be made foolish by the effects of the mushrooms.

According to Germanic folk legends Fly Agaric emerged when the god Odin rode through the air with his eight-legged horse Sleipnir during the Wild Hunt. The foam from the horses's nostrils fell to the ground bringing forth the bright red phallic shaped mushroom.

The indigenous mushrooms of Europe such as Liberty Caps (Psilocybe semilanceate) are known to bring about visions that will reveal the depth of a person's soul. There is a common saying among many German speaking regions, "He must have eaten fool's mushrooms." This refers to someone who has been living a life of foolishness or has a mental deficiency or disorder.

Belledonna

In German vernacular Belledonna is called tolkirsch (crazy or lusty cherry) and Wutbeere (rage berry). The atropine-containing Belledonna (atropa belledonna) is an intoxicating, hallucinogenic plant. In the lower Rhine regions, it is called Walkerbaum (valkyrie tree). According to the folklore of the region it is said that anyone who eats the berries will fall prey to the valkyries, opening the doorway to Valhalla, the divine fortress. The valkyries are Odin's goddesses of the wind who carry forth the souls of the dead who have fallen in battle or have died honorably. Those chosen by the valkyrie share the divine mead until the end of the world, or the cyclic renewal of the universe.

The plant, which causes death in higher doses is connected to Odin, the god of death, and to the valkyries who carry forth the spirits of the dead.

The use of psychoactive drugs is not originally culturally alien to Germanic society. They were used in meaningful ways for centuries, but with the suppression of the native traditions the misuse of these sacred plants was brought about.

*Disclaimer: These plants are in no way to be used in todays society without proper doctor's supervision. This article was written to share folklore of the region and is not an attempt to promote the usage of the plants presented herein.*