The history of psychoactive plant and fungi use in Scotland and globally, is an important area of research which could further enhance political policies. SPRG celebrate the role that plant medicine has played and continues to play in Scottish medicine, spiritual and community life. Through a celebration of Scotland’s indigenous apothecary we will explore historical and sociological perspectives of psychedelic substances and use, continuing to break down barriers of psychedelic censorship through reviewing, delivering and investigating the history and sociology of psychedelic substances.
The aspect of of the celebration is to explore the role psychedelics played in the Celtic and communities spanning from Scotland to Spain. Given that many, if not all, indigenous populations that have not had contact with monotheistic religions retained their use of both psychedelic medicines/plants and altered states of consciousness, it is not unreasonable to hypothesise that Celtic, and in particular the Druidic and wise women traditions used them too. Indeed, there is evidence emerging in different disciplines about the role psychoactive plants played in ritual and pleasure in the ancient world. See our Oral Histories Project for more information on that.
Another key aspect of this celebration has been a series of events bringing the community together to celebrate, share knowledge, and affect policy change. We are calling for the decriminalisation of nature – #decrimnature- so that we can re-connect without fear of prosecution, with the indigenous practices of our own land.