S3-E5 – Thomas Hatsis

Thomas Hatsis is a historian of psychedelia, witchcraft, magic, pagan religions, alternative Christianities, and the cultural intersection of those areas, who holds a master’s degree in history from Queens College. The author of The Witches’ Ointment and Psychedelic Mystery Traditions, he runs psychedelicwitch.com, a site dedicated to promoting the latest and best information pertaining to the Psychedelic Renaissance. He lives in Portland, Oregon.

In this interview Rudolf and Thomas, after a first introduction of the author and his background, start by defining certain terms often used in the context, like the difference between psychedelia and entheogens. 

Hereafter they talk about certain time periods in history and the use of psychoactive substances within them, like the early centuries C.E. (Gnostisicm), Ancient Greece, Middle Ages and Renaissance etc. Also the influence of ethnobiology on the research is discussed. Discover for yourself!

In his recent book, “Psychedelic Mystery Traditions”, which is part of our discussion in this episode, Hatsis shows how psychedelics have been an integral part of the human experience since Neolithic times and describes how different peoples in the Western world, including ancient priestesses, Christian Gnostics, alchemists, wise-women, and Victorian magicians, utilized sacred psychedelic plants and entheogens for divination, sex magic, communication with gods, and more.

Thomas Hatsis’ home page

Thomas Hatsis’ author’s page

Buy his books here