Synopses & Reviews
"Dale Pendell reactivates the ancient connection between the bardic poet and the shaman."-Terence McKenna
In Pharmako/Dynamis,Dale Pendell continues his exploration of psychoactive plants begun in Pharmako/Poeia.Pharmacognosy is the study of the composition, production, use, and history of drugs of natural origin. Pendell covers these topics and more in this volume, charting a voyage around the world of plant teachers. Through poetry, chemistry, and a generous sprinkling of arcane lore, Pendell weaves and twists the many threads of tradition into a singularly bewitching brew. Pendell's voyage is a true circumnavigation. It divulges what Gary Synder called "dangerous knowledge" that is a formidable weapon against "even more dangerous ignorance."
Dale Pendellis a poet, software engineer, and longtime student of ethnobotany. His poetry has appeared in many journals, and he was the founding editor of KUKSU: Journal of Backcountry Writing. He has led workshops on ethnobotany and ethnopoetics for the Naropa Institute and the Botanical Preservation Corps.
Synopsis
Cultural Writing. In PHARMAKO/DYNAMIS, Dale Pendell continues his exploration of psychoactive plants begun in PHARMAKO/POEIA. Pharmacognosy is the study of the composition, production, use, and history of drugs of natural origin. Pendell covers these topics and more in this volume, charting a voyage around the world of plant teachers. Through poetry, chemistry, and a generous sprinkling of arcane lore, Pendell weaves and twists the many threads of tradition into a singularly bewitching brew. Pendell's voyage is a true circumnavigation. It divulges what Gary Snyder called "dangerous knowledge" that is a formidable weapon against "even more dangerous ignorance."
Synopsis
An exploration of psychoactive plants by the author of the award-winning "Pharmako/Poeia."
About the Author
Dale Pendell is a poet, software engineer, and longtime student of ethnobotany. His poetry has appeared in many journals, and he was the founding editor of Kuksu: Journal of Backcountry Writing. His work appeared in Entheogens and the Future of Religion. He has led workshops on ethnobotany and ethnopoetics for the Naropa Institute and the Botanical Preservation Corps.
Table of Contents
On the nature of poison -- Nigredo : a turn of darkening -- Excitantia : provokers and agitators -- Speed limits -- Coffee : Coffea arabica -- Tea : Thea sinensis -- Chocolate I : Theobroma cacao -- Plant wars -- Chocolate II : Theobroma cacao -- The black drink : Ilex spp., guarana -- Cola : Kola nitida -- Khat : Catha edulis and amphetamine -- Ma huang, Ephedra spp.-- Speed freaking (amphetamine) -- Coca : Erythroxylum coca -- Stealing from tomorrow -- Wandering and the vision quest -- Empathogenica : mammalian raptures -- Intro chapter? -- Nutmeg reveries -- MDMA, ecstasy -- GHB -- Dream stutters.