Copied from the Long House as its more appropriate here.
http://www.spiritplants.org/phpbb/viewt ... 94&start=0 (http://www.spiritplants.org/phpbb/viewtopic.php?t=994&start=0)
In relation to the recent Sacred Elixirs conference in CA.
sacredelixires.com
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I've been listening to the tapes. It sounds like many interesting subjects were covered. I really like the Places of the Vision Seekers talk. Perhaps a investigation into modern sites is in order?
The speaker mentions some of the common characteristics of these places that are often overlooked. When looking at these sites, one should consider things that would take on significance in altered states. Archeologist typically look at these matters in a mundane way (ordinary consciouness) and overlook many things.
Places of the Vision Seekers
Paul Devereux
Sacred Elixers Conference
The importance of set and setting is well known in regard to the use of psychoactive substances. This presentation looks at the properties of some Old World and New World ancient sites where vision questing took place, and where traditional entheogens were definitely or probably used. This environmental aspect of traditional usage of entheogens has been poorly covered to date, yet the properties of the sites can tell us much about the nature of the visions had at them and about how they could enhance and direct ASCs. In particular, the newly-discovered acoustic properties of some sacred places is discussed.
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Brief outline of characteristics.
1. Look unusual - sometimes subtle, sometimes obvious.
-Buffalo Rock in Manatoba.
2. Astronomic significance
-Stonehendge / great circles
3. Light and Sound
-Waterfalls
-echos
-acoustics
-natural amplification
4. Geophysical Effects
-unusual compass readings
-radioactive
5. Luminousity - creates moods