I Lucy Wyatt - Psychedelics, Alchemy and the Hidden History of Civilisation

Psychedelics are proposed as an alternative lens to understand the development of early civilization, arguing against the conventional farming-led model. Evidence suggests a connection between shamanic ritual, alchemy, and the foundational structure of ancient cities, specifically linking the use of psychoactive substances to the emergence of early urban centers. Ancient Egyptian culture serves as a key case study, with its rituals and symbols described as potentially rooted in the same shamanistic traditions found among indigenous tribes. Alchemy, commonly associated with the transmutation of materials, is redefined as a journey to fixed points in consciousness through the use of psychoactive substances. This ritualistic grounding, involving a priest/king class and the manipulation of metaphysical planes, is presented as the actual foundation of cities rather than simple trade or marketplace evolution. These insights challenge the traditional historical narrative, suggesting that humanity's early development was significantly shaped by a deep and structured connection to transcendental states of being.