Gnostic Media Newsletter for December 2009 / January 2010

I will be giving a talk at the Living Temple Bookstore in Huntington Beach, CA on December 29, 2009 at 6:30 to 9 PM. The subject is The Mysteries of Christmas. The address is 7561 Center Ave #40, Huntington Beach, CA 92647 – and you’ll need to call in advance to reserve your seat at 714-891-5117. Seats are $15. The event will be shown live on the internet for a fee, so go to http://www.TheLivingTemple.com for more information.

John Allegro’s The Sacred Mushroom and the Cross NOW IN PRINT and shipping!
The Sacred Mushroom and the Cross was one of the most controversial books written in the twentieth century. Not since Darwin’s On the Origin of Species had a book caused such outrage. John Marco Allegro was a respected Dead Sea Scrolls scholar and had just left his post as a lecturer at Manchester University. His infamous1970 book The Sacred Mushroom and the Cross revealed that Judeo-Christianity is based on an ancient fertility-mushroom cult.

THE SACRED MUSHROOM AND THE CROSS BY JOHN MARCO ALLEGRO – 40th Anniversary Edition
Universally reviled on its first publication in May 1970, The Sacred Mushroom and the Cross ruined John Allegro’s career. The book claimed that Christianity, like other Western religions, was rooted in an ancient fertility cult whose phallic god seeded the earth with life. The rites and symbols of this cult, passed on through generations of priests and kings, were still live and potent at the supposed time of Jesus – so potent that they were kept secret by cult members and suppressed by the rulers of church and state. Distorted, disguised, lost in translation, they were nevertheless still there, and surfaced from time to time in the traditions and iconography of the developing church.

“The concerted and biased attempts to destroy Allegro’s discoveries have failed. The confirmatory evidence is mounting in his favor. The critics can now raise their voices again. Let us hope that they do, since the matter is not settled, but they should be advised to do so with more careful consideration. This book that many have prized in secret is now available again. It demands the serious consideration of theologians, mythologists, and students of religion. No account of the history of the Church, both West and East, can afford to leave the poor despicable fungus unconsidered, nor the role that entheogens in general have played in the evolution of European civilization.”
~ Professor Carl. A. P. Ruck

The 40th anniversary edition contains:
• The entire Sacred Mushroom and the Cross as John Allegro intended it, including the massive endnotes.
• Publisher’s note by Jan Irvin, author of The Holy Mushroom, Evidence of Mushrooms in Judeo-Christianity.
• Foreword by Judith Anne Brown, John Allegro’s daughter and Author of John Marco Allegro, The Maverick of the Dead Sea Scrolls
• Afterword and endorsement by famed ethnobotanist and classics Prof. Carl. A. P. Ruck of Boston University

This is the first time this book has been in print in more than 25 years! Order your copy now!
Hardcover – $35.00
Softcover – $24.00
John Allegro’s The Sacred Mushroom and the Cross is now available for ORDERING at http://www.gnosticmedia.com.

Podcast guests. www.gnosticmedia.podomatic.com
• Dec 21 – Steven Zarlenga – The American Monetary Institute – part 2
• Dec 28 – James Orac – Triptamine Palace, 5-MeO-DMT
• JAN 04 – Josh Homan – Ayahuasca tourism in Peru
• Jan 11 – Robert Forte – author of Entheogens and the Future of Religion
• Jan 18 – Steve Bayer – author of Singing to the Plants

Subscribe at http://www.gnosticmedia.podomatic.com or search Gnostic Media on iTunes.

Gnostic Media on YouTube
Thanks to Tommy, there are many new Gnostic Media videos on the Gnostic Media YouTube channel. If you haven’t been to our YouTube page recently, be sure to check it out: http://www.youtube.com/GnosticMedia

25% off!
Gnostic Media is still offering 25% off on most items at the Gnostic Media store!
• Books (NOT including John Allegro’s The Sacred Mushroom and the Cross)
• The Pharmacratic Inquisition DVD
• She Who Remembers Audio Archives
http://www.gnosticmedia.com/store.html

Donations
If you would like to donate to Gnostic Media, please go to:
http://www.gnosticmedia.com/donations.html

Thank you for your support!

John Allegro’s The Sacred Mushroom and the Cross NOW IN PRINT!

The Sacred Mushroom and the Cross was one of the most controversial books written in the twentieth century. Not since Darwin’s On the Origin of Species had a book caused such outrage. John Marco Allegro was a respected Dead Sea Scrolls scholar and had just left his post as a lecturer at Manchester University. His infamous1970 book The Sacred Mushroom and the Cross revealed that Judeo-Christianity is based on an ancient fertility-mushroom cult.

THE SACRED MUSHROOM AND THE CROSS BY JOHN MARCO ALLEGRO – 40th Anniversary Edition
Universally reviled on its first publication in May 1970, The Sacred Mushroom and the Cross ruined John Allegro’s career. The book claimed that Christianity, like other Western religions, was rooted in an ancient fertility cult whose phallic god seeded the earth with life. The rites and symbols of this cult, passed on through generations of priests and kings, were still live and potent at the supposed time of Jesus – so potent that they were kept secret by cult members and suppressed by the rulers of church and state. Distorted, disguised, lost in translation, they were nevertheless still there, and surfaced from time to time in the traditions and iconography of the developing church.

The sacred mushroom, Amanita muscaria, was at once the symbol and embodiment of fertility, and the means to understand it. It is one of the entheogens (psychoactive substances derived from plants) that have been used over thousands of years and across continents to reach a higher state of consciousness, a sense of communion with the gods. Allegro maintained this was as true for Judaism and Christianity as it had been for the religions of ancient Greece, Rome, Scandinavia, India and Mexico.

The 40th anniversary edition contains:
• The entire Sacred Mushroom and the Cross as John Allegro intended it, including the massive endnotes.
• Publisher’s note by Jan Irvin, author of The Holy Mushroom, Evidence of Mushrooms in Judeo-Christianity.
• Foreword by Judith Anne Brown, John Allegro’s daughter and Author of John Marco Allegro, The Maverick of the Dead Sea Scrolls
• Afterword by famed ethnobotanist and classics Prof. Carl. A. P. Ruck of Boston University

This is the first time this book has been in print in more than 25 years! Order your copy now!

Hardcover – $35.00
Softcover – $24.00

John Allegro’s The Sacred Mushroom and the Cross is now available for ORDERING at http://www.gnosticmedia.com. Current orders should ship by Dec. 01, 2009.

Upcoming podcast guests. www.gnosticmedia.podomatic.com

October 19, 2009 – Jan 04, 2010 scheduled guests:

January
• Jan 04 (2010) – Peter Levenda – Sinister Forces – on Gordon Wasson, Andrija Puharich and the CIA

December
• Dec 28 – Steven Zarlenga – The American Monetary Institute – part 2
• Dec 21 – Josh Homan – Ayahuasca tourism in Peru
• Dec 14 – James Orac – Triptamine Palace, 5-MeO-DMT
• Dec 07 – Michael Tsarion – The Trees of Life

November
• Nov 30 – Rabbi Yisroel Dovid Weiss – Zionism, Israel and Ahmadinejad
• Nov 23 – Dr. Barbara Ehrenreich – Bright-Sided: How the Relentless Promotion of Positive Thinking Has Undermined America
• Nov 16 – Mitch Horowitz – Occult America: The Secret History of How Mysticism Shaped Our Nation
• Nov 9 – Gene Odening – The Kabbalah
• Nov 2 – Gene Odening – The Quadrivium

October
• Oct 25 – Gene Odening – The Trivium
• Oct 19 – Steve Hager of High Times magazine.

Subscribe at http://www.gnosticmedia.podomatic.com or search Gnostic Media on iTunes.

Gnostic Media on YouTube
Thanks to Tommy, over the last couple months Gnostic Media has released many new videos on YouTube. If you haven’t been to our YouTube page recently, be sure to check it out: http://www.youtube.com/GnosticMedia

25% off!

Gnostic Media needs your support and is now offering 25% off on most items at the Gnostic Media store!
• Books (NOT including John Allegro’s The Sacred Mushroom and the Cross)
• The Pharmacratic Inquisition DVD
• She Who Remembers Audio Archives
• ORDER 1 OF THE LAST 11 COPIES OF THE FIRST PRINTING OF THE HOLY MUSHROOM - only 11 copies remain!

http://www.gnosticmedia.com/store.html

If you would like to donate to Gnostic Media, please go to http://www.gnosticmedia.com/donations.html
Thank you for your support!

Hi everyone! The Gnostic Media Newsletter is back!

It’s been a heck of a time the last few months. We went to Peru for what was to be a two week trip and Jan ended up in the hospital being treated for a 13 year-old chronic stomach problem that the Peruvian doctors were able to cure. Due to the current private US “medical insurance system” (or “medical cartel”), our insurance had refused to send Jan to the proper specialists for treatment here. The Peruvian doctors fixed him right up and at 1/30th the cost for the same treatment as in the US. Jan did an interview about his experience in the Peruvian medical care system with Richard Andrew Grove and Lisa Arbercheski of 8thestate.com. Listen here:
http://gnosticmedia.podomatic.com/entry/2009-08-03T11_08_15-07_00

Will John Allegro’s The Sacred Mushroom and the Cross ever see reprint?

THE SACRED MUSHROOM AND THE CROSS BY JOHN MARCO ALLEGRO – 40th Anniversary Edition

We’re happy to announce that John M. Allegro’s The Sacred Mushroom and the Cross is finally in preparation for reprinting. There will be both a hard cover edition, and a full-sized soft cover for this 40th Anniversary Edition. We expect to have it out in time for the holidays, and pre-sales ordering should be available within the next few weeks – if not sooner!

The Allegro Estate and Gnostic Media have teamed up together to make sure this book gets back into print as soon as possible. Thanks to Aaron and Bart for volunteering their help on this project and to Mark for helping us acquire much needed equipment.

As soon as pre-sales ordering is available, we’ll send out an email to let you know.

Join Jan Irvin with author Judith Anne Brown (John Allegro’s daughter) for the September 14 podcast episode. http://gnosticmedia.podomatic.com/

Upcoming podcast guests. www.gnosticmedia.podomatic.com

Thanks to all for your kind words of support, enthusiasm, and donations – without all of which, the show would be impossible.

September and October scheduled guests:
• Sept 7 – Dr. Ellen Brown – author of Web of Debt
• Sept 14 – Judith Anne Brown to discuss the reprinting of Allegro’s The Sacred Mushroom and the Cross.
• Sept. 21 – Daniel Seibert will be discussing Salvia divinorum
• Sept 28 – Stephen Beyer – author of Singing to the Plants.
• Oct 5 – Stephen Zarlenga from the American Monetary Institute will be on for part 2 of our discussion “Money’s Dirty Little Secret”.

August guests:
• Aug 30 – Stephen Zarlenga from the American Monetary Institute – “Money’s Dirty Little Secret,” part 1. A MUST HEAR!
• Aug 25 – Chris Conrad – Hemp, Lifeline to the Future – A MUST HEAR!
• Aug 17 – John Marco Allegro – Jesus and Qumran
• Aug 10 – Mitch Schultz – filmmaker for DMT – The Spirit Molecule
• Aug 03 – Jan Irvin with Richard Andrew Grove and Lisa Arbercheski discussing US versus Peruvian medical care.

Subscribe at http://www.gnosticmedia.podomatic.com or search Gnostic Media on iTunes.

Gnostic Media on YouTube
Thanks to Tommy, over the last couple months Gnostic Media has released many new videos on YouTube. This week we’re releasing a short clip of the Tom Roberts podcast interview. If you haven’t been to our YouTube page recently, be sure to check it out: http://www.youtube.com/GnosticMedia

THE HOLY MUSHROOM – EVIDENCE OF MUSHROOMS IN JUDEO-CHRISTIANITY – 2ND PRINTING.

The Holy Mushroom went into its second printing on September 2nd. A few corrections were made, but not much has changed.

This book answers:
• Is there evidence to prove the use of mushrooms and other drugs in Judeo-Christianity?
• Was the Plaincourault fresco mushroom-tree just a stylized pine tree?
• Did John Allegro falsify his sources to take advantage of the psychedelic movement in his infamous The Sacred Mushroom and the Cross?
• Did Allegro copy is main ideas from Gordon Wasson, and what evidence is there of this claim?
• Why is understanding the mushroom in Judeo-Christianity important for both scholars and lay persons?

This book provides:
• 13th century artwork depicting Jesus as the mushroom.
• Ancient primary textual citations of mushrooms in Christianity, Judaism and Islam.
• The answer to exactly who wanted to ruin Allegro’s career.
• A revealing analysis of Gordon Wasson’s attacks on John Allegro.
• More than 43 images, 37 in color, showing the mushroom in Christian art.

Only 60 copies remain of the 1st edition, 1st printing. If you’d like to get your hands on one of these certain to be collectors’ items, go to http://www.gnosticmedia.com and get yours before they’re gone!

Those who took advantage of grabbing a 1st edition of Astrotheology & Shamanism last December and January before it went out of print have already seen the value of that book go up by over $100 – nearly 500%. Copies of A&S 1st edition now sell on Amazon for $130 and up. So why wait until a first edition of The Holy Mushroom costs more than $100? Get one now while they’re hot!

Astrotheology & Shamanism – 2nd, colour edition – numbered and signed – These are almost gone!

This is the new version of my first book with Andrew Rutajit, which has been heavily expanded and revised.

This book provides:
• Revealing information about how Christianity is actually based upon ancient pagan drug, fertility and celestial themes. Includes ancient textual citations and hundreds of references.
• A new understanding of religious symbolism and art through understanding mushroom, fertility and celestial themes.
• A shocking expose on the origins of Christmas celebrations via Siberian shamanism and mushroom use.
• A history of the field of ethnomycology.
• Refutation against the common arguments against the drug, fertility and celestial origins of Christianity and John Allegro’s work.
• More than 143 color and 42 B&W images.

The first 100 copies are numbered and signed (ONLY 25 remain!), for only $51.49 (+S&H) ea. (And get the DVD for 55% off!), only from http://www.gnosticmedia.com.

You may also order the color edition on Amazon (though it’s not numbered or signed – no discounted DVD) at: http://www.amazon.com/Astrotheology-Shamanism-Christianitys-Revolutionary-Reinterpretation/dp/1439222436/

The Black & White 2nd edition is in print and available for only $20.99 (+S&H) ea – a 16% savings over the 1st edition. This is also available in a combo pack with the DVD for only $39.99 (+S&H) ea. – only from http://www.gnosticmedia.com.

B&W edition at Amazon.com http://www.amazon.com/Astrotheology-Shamanism-Christianitys-Revolutionary-Reinterpretation/dp/1439222428/

THE PHARMACRATIC INQUISITION DVD and online version – FOREIGN LANGUAGES

We’re happy to announce that the free online version of The Pharmacratic Inquisition DVD is now available in German, Spanish, Portuguese, and Dutch. Greek subtitles will be available soon. Russian subtitles have been completed for a re-release of the DVD in Russian. The Pharmacratic Inquisition DVD is the companion video to the book Astrotheology & Shamanism. Many thanks to everyone for volunteering their help on these translations. Watch the entire DVD for FREE online at http://www.pharmacratic-inquisition.com

Donations:
To those of you who donated while we were in Peru and Jan was under medical care, we cannot thank you enough. It is you whom have kept the program going and kept us alive.

Gnostic Media is funded primarily by donations and our small book and DVD sales. For those of you who can, we greatly appreciate your support. If you’d like to make a donation, please see the donations page at http://www.gnosticmedia.com/donations.html or you can send your donation in any amount via Paypal to contact@gnosticmedia.com

Transcriptions of the podcast interviews: We still need help with the podcast transcripts, so please don’t hesitate to contact me. We’re looking to transcribe most of the interviews as soon as possible for an upcoming book project.

Thank you all for your continued interest, participation, and support.

Gnostic Media’s May 2009 Newsletter

Upcoming podcast guests. http://www.gnosticmedia.podomatic.com

The Gnostic Media Research & Publishing podcast is continuing to grow with over 45,000 monthly listens. April saw more wonderful guests and this month has more great guests lined up. Dr. Dennis McKenna gave a wonderful interview, as did Marguerite Rigoglioso who talked about the ancient goddess fertility cults. May continues with more fantastic guests with Wolfgang Bauer, Alan Piper and Dr. Neal Goldsmith.
Thanks to all for your kind words of support, enthusiasm, and donations – without all of which, the show would be impossible. Also thanks to all of the wonderful guests who have contributed their time to this project.

May and June scheduled guests:
• May 4 – Wolfgang Bauer – the German author of Der Fliegenpilz – The Fly Mushroom, Amanita muscaria.
• May 11 – Alan Piper – discussing entheogen use in Zoroastrianism and Islam.
• May 18 – Dr. Neal Goldsmith – discussing psychedelics and consciousness
• May 25 – G. Edward Griffin – author of The Creature from Jekyll Island – discussing the Federal Reserve.
• June 01 – Prof. Benny Shanon – author of Antipodes of the Mind – Ayahuasca

April guests:
• April 06 – Professor Carl Ruck – Boston University – discussing Eleusis and his last book The Hidden World. This is Carl’s second time joining us.
• April 13 – Dr. Dennis McKenna – will be on to discuss ayahuasca, Novelty theory, plant intelligence, and Terence McKenna
• April 20 – Prof. Em. Marlene Dobkin de Rios – discussing her most recent book – A Hallucinogenic Tea, Laced with Controversy – Ayahuasca in the Amazon and the United States.
• April 27 – Dr. Marguerite Rigoglioso – discussing her new book The Cult of Divine Birth in Ancient Greece – that will be released on April 27.

Subscribe at http://www.gnosticmedia.podomatic.com or search Gnostic Media on iTunes.

Donations:
Thank you to everyone who has continued to donate to Gnostic Media and the podcast. Times have been really tough lately and we really appreciate everyone who has helped contribute to the continuation of these projects and interviews.
Gnostic Media is funded primarily by donations and our small book and DVD sales. For those of you who can, we greatly appreciate your support. If you’d like to make a donation, please see the donations page at http://www.gnosticmedia.com/donations.html or you can send your donation in any amount via Paypal to contact@gnosticmedia.com

Transcriptions of the podcast interviews: We still need help with the podcast transcripts, so please don’t hesitate to contact me. We’re looking to transcribe most of the interviews as soon as possible for an upcoming book project.

The Pharmacratic Inquisition DVD – Foreign Language versions

The Pharmacratic Inquisition DVD is now available for FREE viewing on the http://www.Pharmacratic-Inquisition.com website in Dutch, Portuguese and Spanish subtitles and this month will also be available in German and Russian – which are both now translated, but not finished in the video production process. We hope to have a Polish version available soon too. Thanks to everyone: Claudia, Max, Eduardo, Ivar, Renate and Bart for making these happen.

You may order a copy of The Pharmacratic Inquisition on DVD from http://www.gnosticmedia.com (note: at the present time the DVD is in English only). The price has been discounted 10% for the month of May.

The Holy Mushroom: Evidence of Mushrooms in Judeo-Christianity

I still have copies available of my latest book The Holy Mushroom: Evidence of Mushrooms in Judeo-Christianity is now fully available and shipping. You may order one on the Gnostic Media website at http://www.pharmacratic-inquisition.com/Pharmacratic-Inquisition_Sales_Page.html or discounted at http://www.amazon.com/HOLY-MUSHROOM-Mushrooms-Judeo-Christianity-re-evaluation/dp/1439215170/. All copies from Gnostic Media come autographed as a thank you for your support.

Astrotheology & Shamanism – 2nd Edition – get a FREE DVD with the colour edition!

This is the new version of my first book with Andrew Rutajit, which has been heavily expanded and revised.

The Colour 2nd edition is in print and available now. The first 100 copies are numbered and signed, for only $51.49 (+S&H) ea. (with a free DVD), only from http://www.gnosticmedia.com.
You may also order the DVD on Amazon (though it’s not numbered or signed – no free DVD) at: http://www.amazon.com/Astrotheology-Shamanism-Christianitys-Revolutionary-Reinterpretation/dp/1439222436/

The Black & White 2nd edition is in print and available for only $20.99 (+S&H) ea – a 16% savings over the 1st edition. This is also available in a combo pack with the DVD for only $37.99 (+S&H) ea. – only from http://www.gnosticmedia.com.
B&W edition at Amazon.com http://www.amazon.com/Astrotheology-Shamanism-Christianitys-Revolutionary-Reinterpretation/dp/1439222428/

Donations:

Thank you to everyone who has continued to donate to Gnostic Media and the podcast. Times have been really tough lately and we really appreciate everyone who has helped contribute to the continuation of these projects and interviews.

Gnostic Media is funded primarily by donations and our small book and DVD sales. For those of you who can, we greatly appreciate your support. If you’d like to make a donation, please see the donations page at http://www.gnosticmedia.com/donations.html or you can send your donation in any amount via Paypal to contact@gnosticmedia.com

Transcriptions of the podcast interviews: If you are someone who can’t afford to donate financially, but maybe you can help us with transcribing the interviews, please don’t hesitate to contact me. We’re looking to transcribe all of the interviews as soon as possible.

Upcoming podcast guests.
The Gnostic Media Research & Publishing podcast is continuing to grow. March saw some wonderful guests and this month has more great guests lined up. Acharya S.’s interview managed to get the podcast into the TOP 10 on Podomatic for nearly a week. Thanks to all for your kind words of support, enthusiasm, and donations – without all of which, the show would be impossible.

April Scheduled guests include:

· April 06 - Professor Carl Ruck – Boston University – discussing Eleusis and his last book The Hidden World. This is Carl’s second time joining us.

· April 13 – Dr. Dennis McKenna – will be on to discuss ayahuasca, Novelty theory, plant intelligence, and Terence McKenna

· April 20 – Prof. Em. Marlene Dobkin de Rios – discussing her most recent book – A Hallucinogenic Tea, Laced with Controversy – Ayahuasca in the Amazon and the United States.

· April 27 – Dr. Marguerite Rigoglioso – discussing her new book The Cult of Divine Birth in Ancient Greece - that will be released on April 27.

March guests:

· March 30 – Dr. Brian Akers – Sacred Mushrooms of Mexico

· March 23 – Dr. David Hillman – The Chemical Muse

· March 16 – Prof. Michael Winkelman (Ariz. State) – Supernatural as Natural – A Biocultural Approach to Religion – editor of journal Time & Mind.

· March 09 – D.M. Murdock (Acharya S.) – Christ In Egypt

· March 02 – Prof. Thomas Roberts – Psychedelic Horizons

Subscribe at http://www.gnosticmedia.podomatic.com or search Gnostic Media on iTunes.

The Pharmacratic Inquisition DVD – Foreign Language versions

The Pharmacratic Inquisition DVD is now available for FREE viewing on the http://www.Pharmacratic-Inquisition.com website in Dutch and Portuguese subtitles and in the next week or two will also be available in Spanish. We hope to have Polish and Russian versions available soon.

The Holy Mushroom: Evidence of Mushrooms in Judeo-Christianity

A reminder that my new book The Holy Mushroom: Evidence of Mushrooms in Judeo-Christianity is now fully available and shipping. You may order one on the Gnostic Media website at http://www.pharmacratic-inquisition.com/Pharmacratic-Inquisition_Sales_Page.html or discounted at http://www.amazon.com/HOLY-MUSHROOM-Mushrooms-Judeo-Christianity-re-evaluation/dp/1439215170/. All copies from Gnostic Media come autographed as a thank you for your support.

Astrotheology & Shamanism – 2nd Edition is NOW SHIPPING! Get a FREE DVD!

This is the new version of my first book with Andrew Rutajit, which has been heavily expanded and revised.

The Black & White 2nd edition is in print and available for only $20.99 (+S&H) ea. This is also available in a combo pack with the DVD for only $37.99 (+S&H) ea. – only from http://www.gnosticmedia.com.

It is also now available at Amazon.com http://www.amazon.com/Astrotheology-Shamanism-Christianitys-Revolutionary-Reinterpretation/dp/1439222436/

Order a 2^nd, colour edition (numbered and signed) and receive a FREE Pharmacratic Inquisition DVD.

For those of you who are interested in ordering a copy of the colour edition, the first 100 orders will receive a free Pharmacratic Inquisition DVD to thank you for your support of Gnostic Media. Each book is also numbered and signed, and may one day become a collector. Less than 60 remain. $51.49 (+S&H) ea. Order at http://www.gnosticmedia.com.

The Colour edition is now discounted on Amazon at 11% off with free shipping. If you don’t want a copy of the DVD or the numbered, autographed copy, you can save some money! Check out http://www.amazon.com/Astrotheology-Shamanism-Christianitys-Revolutionary-Reinterpretation/dp/1439222436/

For those who have not ordered a copy of the books but are interested in doing so, times are very tough right now and we appreciate your support.

Gnostic Media, Feb 2, 2009

Upcoming podcast guests.
The Gnostic Media Research & Publishing podcast is continuing to grow. In our 16th week, we surpassed 32,000 monthly listens, and it’s growing rapidly. Thanks to all for your kind words of support, enthusiasm, and donations – without all of which, the show would be impossible.

The scheduled upcoming shows include:

· Feb. 2: Dr. John Loftus – Former top US prosecutor (www.john-loftus.com)

· Feb. 9: Jack Herer and Rick Simpson – Run from the Cure (possible guests Dave Jordan from New Zealand’s new Hemp Fuel company. Websites: www.jackherer.com www.phoenixtears.ca and www.biogascompany.co.nz

· Feb. 16: Ernest Werner – Rod of Jesse, On Doubt of Jesus’ Existence. www.rodofjesse.com

· Feb. 23 – not yet scheduled

Other upcoming guests – dates not set:
•    Dr. Dennis McKenna – Ethnobotany and new research
•    Judith Anne Brown – John Marco Allegro: The Maverick of the Dead Sea Scrolls
•    Prof. Michael Winkelman (Ariz. State) – Supernatural as Natural – A Biocultural Approach to Religion – editor of journal Time & Mind.

· Prof. Carl Ruck (Boston University) – The Hidden World.

· Prof. Thomas Roberts – Psychoactive Sacramentals

· Peter Webster – On the Eleusinian mysteries, LSD and Salience.

· Dreamspore – on Amanita muscaria and its religious use.

· Prof. Bart Dean (U. of Kansas) – Shamanic use of Tobacco.

Subscribe at http://www.gnosticmedia.podomatic.com or search Gnostic Media on iTunes.

Donations
For the month of January I thank Matthew, Brandon, Jesse, Michael, Mark, Caeli, Martin and Prof. Rush for their kind donations. Gnostic Media is funded primarily by donations and our small book and DVD sales. For those of you who can, we greatly appreciate your support. If you’d like to make a donation, please see the donations page at http://www.gnosticmedia.com/donations.html or you can send your donation in any amount via Paypal to contact@gnosticmedia.com

We still need video equipment to start shooting a new documentary. If you are someone who can provide such equipment, either on donation or loan, please don’t hesitate to contact me.

The Holy Mushroom

A reminder that my new book The Holy Mushroom: Evidence of Mushrooms in Judeo-Christianity is now fully available and shipping. You may order one on the Gnostic Media website at www.gnosticmedia.com or discounted at www.amazon.com

Astrotheology & Shamanism – 2nd Edition.

This is the new version of my first book with Andrew Rutajit, which has been heavily expanded and revised.

The Black & White 2nd edition is in print and available from both www.gnosticmedia.com and www.amazon.com

$20.99 (+S&H) ea.

Colour Edition delays

The colour edition is about 2 weeks behind the B&W edition in the production process.

We ran into more delays with red and yellow color issues on some of the images. The book has been resubmitted for print and I will have a new proof copy on Wed. February 4 to verify print quality. If it passes this time, it will officially be in print on February 4. It will take me about two to three weeks after that to start shipping copies.

Pre-Order a 2^nd, colour edition (numbered and signed) and receive a free Pharmacratic Inquisition DVD.

For those of you who are interested in pre-ordering a copy of the colour edition, the first 25 orders will receive a free Pharmacratic Inquisition DVD to thank you for your support of Gnostic Media. http://www.pharmacratic-inquisition.com/Pharmacratic-Inquisition_Sales_Page.html. Each book is also numbered and signed, and may one day become a collector.

Astrotheology & Shamanism – 1st Edition
The first edition is out of print and sold out.

No presentations are scheduled at this time. If you’re interested in having me speak in your area, please feel free to contact me contact@gnosticmedia.com

Gnostic Media’s January 2009 Newsletter

A reminder that my new book The Holy Mushroom: Evidence of Mushrooms in Judeo-Christianity is now fully available and shipping. Only 12 copies of the first 100 numbered and signed, remain. If you are interested in getting one of these, which hopefully will become a collector, then you may order one on the Gnostic Media website at www.gnosticmedia.com. After the first 100 numbered and signed are gone, I will have ‘signed only’ copies available.

The Holy Mushroom – discounted on Amazon.com
We understand that during these financially trying times, not everyone can afford to buy the new book at $42.49 +S&H directly from us (a price set by the printer), and not everyone is interested in a signed copy – though for those who can, we do appreciate your support in buying directly from us. However, The Holy Mushroom is now available on Amazon.com at a greatly discounted price of $33.48 for those who want a copy, but can’t afford the cover price. http://astore.amazon.com/gnosmedi-20/detail/1439215170

The Holy Mushroom – write up for the journal of Time & Mind
I’ve been invited to write an article for the academic journal Time & Mind by Prof. Michael Winkelman of Arizona State University on my new book The Holy Mushroom. The journal is edited by Prof. Michael Winkelman and Paul Devereux, et al., and comes out twice a year, so I’ll let you know when my article goes to print.

Donations
This month I thank Matthew, Kristopher, Bartlomiej, Yariv, Dubfront, Hawkworld, Brad, Adam, Patrick, Garth, Max, Mario, Chris and Tiffany and Prof. Rush for their kind donations – without which, we would not have made it through December, which was a very tough and trying month this year. Gnostic Media is funded primarily by donations and our small book and DVD sales. For those of you who can, we greatly appreciate your support. If you’d like to make a donation, please see the donations page at http://www.gnosticmedia.com/donations.html or you can send your donation in any amount via Paypal to contact@gnosticmedia.com

We still need video equipment to start shooting a new documentary. If you are someone who can provide such equipment, either on donation or loan, please don’t hesitate to contact me.

Upcoming podcast guests.
The Gnostic Media Research & Publishing podcast is continuing to grow. In our 11th week, we surpassed 22,000 monthly listens, and it’s growing rapidly. Thanks to all for your kind words of support, enthusiasm, and donations – without all of which, the show would be impossible.
This Monday I released my interview with John Lamb Lash on the Gnostics. It’s a great show, so don’t miss it.

The scheduled upcoming shows include:
• Jan. 5: Dr. Stanislav Grof – LSD research
• Jan. 12: Dr. Roland Griffiths – Psilocybin research
• Jan. 19: Stephen Buhner – Ancient and sacred beers

Other upcoming guests – dates not set:
•    Dr. Dennis McKenna – Ethnobotany and new research
•    Judith Anne Brown – Daughter of John Marco Allegro – the re-printing of The Sacred Mushroom and the Cross – debunking the attacks on Allegro.
•    Ernest Werner – former minister of 50 years, former Cornell University Chaplin’s staff. Questioning the historicity of Jesus
•    Prof. Michael Winkelman (Ariz. State) – Supernatural as Natural – A Biocultural Approach to Religion – editor of journal Time & Mind.
•    Prof. Bart Dean (U. of Kansas) – Shamanic use of Tobacco.

Subscribe at http://www.gnosticmedia.podomatic.com or search Gnostic Media on iTunes.

Astrotheology & Shamanism – 2nd Edition.
Ok, well, it was finished and then it wasn’t. We had some font size issues that we didn’t catch until after it had been submitted. So there are more hang-ups, but hopefully not for long. By now you’re all used to waiting, right? I suspect it will be in print by the end of January – but don’t turn blue in the face holding your breath. But the book is on it’s way. It’s been a long, tiring battle.
If you’re interested in pre-ordering a copy, you can contact me directly at contact@gnosticmedia.com. There will be two versions of the 2nd edition, one in color that will be $51.49, and one in Black and White that will be $20.99 (+S&H). If enough people express interest in ordering early copies of this book, then I’ll set something up right away to do so. I will be doing the first 100 copies numbered and signed – the color version only.

Astrotheology & Shamanism – 1st Edition
The first edition was scheduled to go out of print last month, but to my knowledge, it’s still in print for a few more days, but not for long. For those of you who are interested in getting a copy from me, I have 8 remaining (I bought 6 more last week to hold things over, but I will not be buying any more), which I will autograph for you. Order it from the website at http://www.pharmacratic-inquisition.com/Pharmacratic-Inquisition_Sales_Page.html
No presentations are scheduled at this time. If you’re interested in having me speak in your area, please feel free to contact me contact@gnosticmedia.com

Gnostic Media December 2008 Newsletter.

Sorry for the delay on getting this out. I’ve been so busy that I completely forgot about it.

My new book The Holy Mushroom: Evidence of Mushrooms in Judeo-Christianity is now fully available and shipping. Only 43 copies of the first 100 numbered and signed, remain. If you are interested in getting one of these, which hopefully will become a collector, then you may order one on the Gnostic Media website at www.gnosticmedia.com

The Holy Mushroom – discounted on Amazon.com

We understand that during these financially trying times, not everyone can afford to buy the new book at $42.49 +S&H directly from us (a price set by the printer), and not everyone is interested in a signed copy – though for those who can, we do appreciate your support in buying directly from us. However, The Holy Mushroom is now available on Amazon.com at a greatly discounted price of $33.48 for those who want a copy, but can’t afford the cover price. http://astore.amazon.com/gnosmedi-20/detail/1439215170

Donations

This week I thank Matthew, David, Graham, Geir and Marc for their kind donations. Gnostic Media is funded primarily by donations and our small book and DVD sales. Your support is greatly appreciated. For those of you who can, we greatly appreciate your support. If you’d like to make a donation, please see the donations page at http://www.gnosticmedia.com/donations.html or you can send your donation in any amount via Paypal to contact@gnosticmedia.com

Live presentation in Huntington Beach – 2.

I will be giving another presentation at The Living Temple in Huntington Beach on December 20^th at 6:30 PM. Seating is limited and we ask that you RSVP in advance. There will be a $15 charge at the door. Please go to www.thelivingtemple.com for more information.

Upcoming podcast guests.

I’m happy to announce that the launch of the Gnostic Media Research & Publishing podcast has been very successful. In our 7^th week, we surpassed 17,000 monthly listens, and it’s growing rapidly. Thanks to all for your kind words of support, enthusiasm, and donations – without all of which, the show would be impossible.

The scheduled upcoming shows include:

· Dec. 8: John Major Jenkins – The 2012 Meme, Part 2.

· Dec. 15: Dr. James DeMeo – Saharasia part 2.

· Dec. 22: Rick Doblin, Ph.D. - MAPS – psychedelic studies.

· Dec. 29: John Lamb Lash – on the Gnostics

· Jan. 5: Dr. Stanislav Grof – LSD research

· Jan. 12: Dr. Roland Griffiths – Psilocybin research

· Jan. 19: Stephen Buhner – Ancient and sacred beers

Subscribe at http://www.gnosticmedia.podomatic.com or search Gnostic Media on iTunes.

Astrotheology & Shamanism Second Edition.

I’m happy to announce that we’re almost finished preparing A&S 2. I know I’ve been saying that for months, but this time I feel that we’re really getting close to getting it ready for print. Unfortunately it likely won’t be ready for shipping for the holidays, but if you’re interested in pre-ordering a copy, you can contact me directly at contact@gnosticmedia.com. There will likely be two versions of the 2^nd edition, one in color that will likely cost around $50, and one in Black and White that should be about the same price as the current version. If enough people express interest in ordering early copies of this book, then I’ll set something up right away to do so. I will likely be doing the first 100 copies numbered and signed – probably the color version only, but time will tell. Feel free to contact me with any questions or comments.

Astrotheology & Shamanism 1^st Edition.

The first edition is scheduled to go out of print this month. It will probably go OoP on

Dec. 17 or so. For those of you who are interested in getting a copy from me, I have 18 remaining, which I will autograph for you. Order it from the website at http://www.pharmacratic-inquisition.com/Pharmacratic-Inquisition_Sales_Page.html

Gnostic Media’s November 2008 Newsletter. The Holy Mushroom – ORDER NOW!

There are many things happening right now. It’s been an exciting month, and much has been accomplished.

1) I’m excited to announce that my new book The Holy Mushroom: Evidence of Mushrooms in Judeo-Christianity, is now in print and available on schedule for pre-order on www.gnosticmedia.com The book has many color illustrations, and is a perfect companion to John Rush’s book, Failed God, Fractured myth in a Fragile World. I’m currently selling the first 100 copies, numbered and autographed. The cost is $44.99 including shipping. For international orders, please include an additional $5 shipping and handling. Please allow 3 to 4 weeks for delivery for all order.

The Holy Mushroom

The Holy Mushroom by Jan Irvin

Christianity and the Piltdown Hoax share many similarities: In both stories the information was constructed and then salted into the information stream, and, through the word of noted scholars, presented as fact, the truth. Scholars have egos and once committed to their ideas through scholarly publications, faculty meetings, and conferences, have difficulty seeing, hearing, or even appreciating an adverse view. To waver from a strongly held opinion could spell academic ruin and withdrawal of acclaim. This leads to lively debate, counter stories, and even character assassination if one side or the other is being out trumped in the symbolic mêlée.

Jan Irvin (The Holy Mushroom) has captured what we might call an “anthropology of clarification” regarding whether or not mushrooms, and mind-altering substances in general, played any role in the development of not only Judaism and Christianity but the total culture in play at that time. It is now recognized in many academic communities (anthropologists, sociologists, psychiatrists, psychologists) that sufficient evidence exists of the importance of these substances, both textual and visual, to say “yes” in very large letters. It is no longer theory. The questions Irvin asks is this: “If mind-altering substances did play this major role, then how would this affect our interpretations of the Bible and the Qur’an? Would this shed light on the origins of mystical experiences and the stories, for example Abraham hearing voices and Ezekiel’s convenient visions? What would this suggest about the shamanic behavior of Jesus? What impact would this have on organized religion? These are bold questions. This is a very useful volume for those interested in the Holy Mushroom, and the politics of truth. Detailed and wonderfully illustrated; great bibliography.

~ Professor John A. Rush, Sierra College

John Allegro’s revelation of the sacramental role of a sacred mushroom in the ancient religions spanning the agrarian region from Mesopotamia to the Near East was immediately and unfairly rejected by a chorus of scholars less competent than him, but continuing research into early Christianity and the mystery religions of the Greco-Roman world and their perpetuation in alchemy and European folkloric traditions has vindicated the correctness of his discovery.

~ Professor Carl A. P. Ruck, Boston University

Jan Irvin has produced a most thoughtful and valuable account of debate around the use of hallucinogenic mushrooms in early Christianity. Irvin’s careful account of the main protagonists, their sources and intellectual motivations shows the importance of continuing research on this significant moment in early Christian thought, as well as how academic research itself is affected by the cultural attitudes of the day. In adducing new textual evidence and showing the iconographic prevalence of the mushroom motif Jan Irvin is to be warmly congratulated – all serious scholarship for the future will have to take account of his achievement.

~ Professor Neil Whitehead, University of Wisconsin, Madison

2) I finally started the Gnostic Media podcast! http://gnosticmedia.podomatic.com/ Podcast #001 is the long awaited interview with Professor Carl Ruck from Boston University – the famed pioneering entheogenic researcher and inventor of the word “entheogen”. Richard Andrew Grove of 8thestate.com and Paul Verge of Divergent films go along for the interview. Ruck discusses his support for John Allegro’s research in The Sacred Mushroom and the Cross, and has decided to go public with his endorsement of Allegro’s work.

This week I also recorded and released podcast #002 – an interview with Professor John Rush regarding his new book Failed God. In this book, Professor Rush also argues that Allegro was correct. This is an amazing interview, and was recorded and released on Oct. 28, the day of the book’s release.

These are excellent interviews – don’t miss them!

Podcast #003 will be released this coming week with Dr. Martin Ball, author of Mushroom Wisdom. This is an excellent interview and Ball has some fantastic new ideas to progress toward spiritual freedom.

Over the next couple weeks I also have interviews scheduled with Dr. Charles Grob of Harbor UCLA Medical Center, who is conducting experiments with Psilocybin on cancer patients. I also have Prof. John Hoopes, Director of Global Indigenous Nations Studies at Kansas University, Lawrence, who will be discussing 2012 and the historical facts surrounding this event and ancient Mayan texts.

4) John Rush’s book, Failed God is now available for purchase from Amazon and other book sellers. Professor Rush is the first academic to publish that Allegro’s work in the Sacred Mushroom and the Cross was correct. Rush further argues that Allegro was correct about Jesus being a mushroom. Order your copy now: http://astore.amazon.com/gnosmedi-20/detail/1583942742

5) I’ve finally updated http://www.hemp4fuel.com into a user interactive news website for all kinds of alternative fuel and energy information. I encourage people to submit any news on alternative fuels they think is important to the news submission form on the new website. http://www.hemp4fuel.com/submitnews.php For those that sign up to the website, forums and other news feeds are available.

6) The event at the Living Temple was a blast. I really enjoyed it. And thank you to all of the wonderful people who showed. Because the event was so successful, we’re planning another one in December for those who missed it. I’ll be sending out information as we get the date confirmed.

7) Lastly, donations.

I’d like to thank those for two very generous donations that we received last month which enabled us to finally buy a much needed new computer. The new machine has not crashed once in a month – that’s compared the 4 crashes per day with the old system. I can not say thank you enough for this kind gift. You both know who you are.

Things are still tight at Gnostic Media and the tough economy has not helped – and last month our last camera died. We still need donations for equipment: a new camera, a video camera, and other equipment and software purchases that are necessary for a planned video project that can not be started until we get the camera and other equipment issues resolved. If you can help us either with equipment donations or money donations, please contact me directly at contact@gnosticmedia.com

Thank you everyone for a wonderful month and for the numerous kind emails and letters received. It’s your encouragement and donations that keep this all going.

I’m happy to announce that I’ve finally gotten the podcasts finished. And not just Prof. Carl Ruck’s interview, but also one recorded just today with Prof. John Rush.

Podcast #002 (Oct. 28, 2008)

An interview Professor John Rush regarding his new book Failed God: Fractured Myth in a Fragile World.

This is the first academic book since the publication of John Allegro’s The Sacred Mushroom and the Cross (1970) that argues Allegro was correct – and provides ample support for the mushroom foundations of Judeo-Christianity. This is a very interesting interview, so don’t miss it!

John Rush is Professor Anthropology, Sierra College, Rocklin, California. He teaches Magic, Witchcraft, and Religion, Physical Anthropology, and Physical Anthropology Lab. He’s

Naturopathic Doctor and Medical Hypnotherapist in Private Practice. His specialty areas of study are Human Communication, Systems Theory, and Symbolism; Cults (He participated in a cult for three years – asked to leave); Tattooing and Scarification (He’s gone through 400 hours of tattooing); Herbs both medicinal and hallucinogens (He maintains a large herb garden full of legal magical herbs.); Clinical Anthropology – the use of anthropological concepts/models in clinical settings. His books include: Witchcraft and Sorcery: An Anthropological Perspective of the Occult, 1974; The Way We Communicate, 1976; Clinical Anthropology, 1996; Stress and Emotional Health, 1999; Spiritual Tattoo, 2005; The Twelve Gates, 2007; Failed God, 2008.

Buy the book now: http://astore.amazon.com/gnosmedi-20/detail/1583942742

Download: http://gnosticmedia.podomatic.com/enclosure/2008-10-28T14_02_00-07_00.mp3

Podcast #001 (Oct. 23, 2008)

An Interview with Professor Carl A.P. Ruck and Richard Andrew Grove

For this episode I play a recording that I did back in April of this year, 2008. I went with Richard Andrew Grove of 8thestate media and Paul Verge of Divergent Films to the home of pioneering entheogenic researcher, Professor Carl A. P. Ruck of Boston University. Professor Ruck co-authored Persephone’s Quest with Gordon Wasson, he also co-authored Apples of Apollo with Clark Heinrich and Dr. Blaise Staples. He’s the author of the book Sacred Mushrooms of the Goddess, Secrets of Eleusis, and more recently he co-authored The Hidden World, Survival of Pagan Shamanic Themes in European Fairytales. In this episode we’ll discuss the entheogenic rites of the Eleusinian mysteries, John Marco Allegro’s research in The Sacred Mushroom and the Cross, and Ruck’s upcoming books.

Download: http://gnosticmedia.podomatic.com/enclosure/2008-10-23T11_40_29-07_00.mp3

Please distribute this and make sure you also subscribe.
You may subscribe on iTunes at: http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?id=294157083 or podomatic at: http://gnosticmedia.podomatic.com/