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Imbas Forosnai- the ancestral Irish use of psilocybin mushrooms

By February 19, 2025February 21st, 2025No Comments

Imbas Forosnai- Visionary Inspiration

In ancient Ireland, there existed a ritual called Imbas Forosnai that the filídh, poets or seers, would practise to achieve visionary inspiration. The filídh were the successors of the druids, as the old gaelic tradition was an oral one, wisdom was passed down by word of mouth. In Brehon law times in Ireland, the poets were also the law givers, as the law was sung in verse.  This ancient oral tradition was partially written down by the druids of Tara, and St Patrick, in the 4th century in the Senchus Mór (pictured). The brehon law of the gaelic old order survived from time immemorial in Ireland until the 17th century.

mbas Forosnai was a ritual used to invoke altered states of consciousness, and achieve visionary inspiration, or manifestation that enlightens. One of the oldest written records of Imbas Forosnai comes from the Sanas Cormaic, written in 908 AD. At this time the old pagan and druidic ways were already being forced underground, or assimilated, by the emergence of christianity. Imbas Forosnai is also frequently mentioned in much older Fenian Mythological cycle, An Fhiannaíocht, from the 2nd century AD, and is referenced in the Senchus Mór itself, the oldest surviving written gaelic law. Imbas Forosnai is even mentioned in the oldest of all celtic, irish mythology, the pre-christian era Táin Bó Cúailnge of the Cú Chulainn cycle. 

Imbas Forosnai is  described in Sanas Cormaic as a ritual involving eating the ‘red flesh’, thought to be a reference to the fly agaric, a psychedelic mushroom which grows in great abundance in Ireland. In shamanic rituals, it would have been combined with the liberty cap psilocybin mushroom to achieve altered states of consciousness.

 

Like the Mazatec indigenous tradition in Oaxaca, Mexico, where psychedelic mushrooms were used for healing, an indigenous tradition of psilocybin use existed in Ireland. Centuries of colonisation and suppression damaged this tradition, but it is not true to say that it became entirely extinct. Our old ways got passed down through the wise women, the mystics and the healers, and there exists to this day in Ireland, elders who remember some of our old traditions, and it came down to us through our music, folklore and mythology. Every Autumn, the psilocybin mushrooms grow in great abundance on our ancestral sacred sites and ancient places of worship.

At Inwardbound Psilocybin Retreats, we see ourselves as remembering our own ancestral, Irish, indigenous tradition of psilocybin use for visionary inspiration and healing. In Ireland, after a long colonial legacy of disempowerment, we are reclaiming our indigenous, gaelic culture, our ancestral memory, and tradition for ourselves.

 

Interested in joining one of our Psilocybin retreats?

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Isaac Horowitz
20:25 11 Feb 25
This is by far the best experience I’ve could’ve asked for. Amazing facilitators. Amazing location. Amazing peopleAnd don’t forget about the amazing journey They were able to guide us on.Highly recommended for anyone that wants to make a transformation in their life
Ultan Molloy
22:29 22 Oct 24
Fantastic and life affirming experience beautifully curated over months by the inbound team. Thank you!
Orsolya Gabriel
15:39 22 Oct 24
It was my very first experience both with Inwardbound and with psilocybin. I cannot imagine how could it be better or more transforming than it was. In all aspect – it was perfect!The venue was great, providing all one needs for a retreat like this: beautiful nature, comfortable room, spacious common spaces, delicious healthy food, etc.I am forever grateful to the amazing Inwardbound team (Rob, Helena and Kalyani) for creating this safe, loving and supportive ceremonial space that allowed me to have this magical, l ife changing experience.What a profound journey!
Renata Mikolajczyk
09:12 21 Oct 24
I participated in a 5-day psilocybin retreat in the Netherlands. I had a profound experience under the influence of the mushrooms, but equally important was the presence, advice, support and all the activities offered by the therapists/facilitators. They are amazing people, experienced and professional, passionate about what they do and dedicated to ensuring the best, safest and most inspiring setting. Thanks to them, I believe, I can process and integrate the psilocybin experience in a way most beneficial for my healing and growth. They helped me understand how important it is to work with the body, to take a more holistic approach to healing and lifestyle, and they showed me ways to do it. I am immensely grateful not only for the safety they provided, but also for the joy, music, movement and companionship. I can recommend Inwardbound to anyone wanting to experience psilocybin.
Lauri Tuomisto
15:16 08 Jul 24
My experience in all was transforming , even life changing. The inwardbound provided the perfect conditions including the caring professionals and personnel, well thought process in total, beautiful location and what not. That all formed a unique container in which I felt safe, and in good professional hands. You and your own quest remain the central part of everything but they sure provide all the resources and support you would expect to need to succeed. My recommendations and good luck !
Banacinn
07:04 14 Sep 23
It's hard to put into words how profound this extraordinary experience was. Several weeks afterwards, I am still processing and unravelling the wonder of it.The team, headed by Darragh, are such a special combination of truly dedicated and extraordinary people, whose ability to hold space cannot be matched. I really appreciated the equal mix of male and female facilitators - something I hadn't fully grasped the importance of during the experience, but I am so, so grateful for in hindsight.Truly the best money you will ever spend. The depth of the collective experience and group sharing was profound. I have so much gratitude to everyone who participated, and of course to the plant medicine that knows all 🍄