Magic Mushrooms Ceremonies & Our Approach
It's the sides of the mountain which sustain life, not the top.
― Robert M. Pirsig
The Approach
We work with psilocybin mushrooms – sacred beings in many traditional cultures, now receiving increasing attention in the Western societies.
Our approach weaves in various elements of the modern and traditional perspectives, existing at the intersection of the scientific and the spiritual. We draw from various modalities, particularly mindfulness, transpersonal psychology, narrative and somatic therapies.
What does this mean in practice? We help you to stay present—before, during, and after the journey—whatever unfolds. We believe in the sacredness and interconnectedness of life so our framework is less about “what’s wrong with me” and more about how we can heal the systems (families, communities, societies) together and our connective tissue with nature. The goal is not to intelectually understand the “root” of your issues but to feel the shift in your whole being—and to start leading your life aligned with that shift.
Our program and actions are built on the premise that everyone is their own best healer. We don’t “heal” you. We assist you, present with some tools helpful for the journey and provide a non-judgemental, loving care and attention. Our role is to create a safe space, not to provide answers or solutions. Everything you need is already within you. In other words, we don’t preach or coach—we listen, deeply.
We are committed to be culturally informed, respecting your unique background, personal beliefs, and life experiences. The the space we create is designed to support your values and not impose ours.
The Ceremony: Before, During, and After
The ceremony with magic mushrooms is a unique, beautiful experience.
However, it’s just a part of the whole process - the preparation before and the integration after are as important and worth taking care of.
Preparation
This is the phase, in which you can get ready as much as possible for what’s impossible to be ready for.
After we evaluate your personal questionnaire, you meet over a video (at least twice) with your sitter to discuss the doubts you might have, your intention, and anything else you might need. This phase builds trust between you and your sitter and helps tailor the experience to your personal situation and goals.
Right before the ceremony you can additionally learn practical tools, like breathing techniques and somatic exercises to navigate challenging moments, might they arise.
This is not to say that the preparation is going to eliminate all the anxiety, fear, or other difficult feelings that can accompany you here. It’s normal to feel this way—you’re a step from digging deep into your unconsciousness.
If you arrive before the ceremony day, preparation can include in-person meetings and additional activities. We can discuss options individually.
Ceremony
The ceremony is a time carved out from everyday life; time outside of timelines; felt and lived reality, beyond the meanings and descriptions.
Held in a carefully prepared setting, each ceremony is unique and personalized. Beforehand, we will discuss the dose, music, and any other elements that may shape the experience.
Then, with drinking the mushroom brew, you will open the doors of perception—perhaps wide, perhaps just slightly. Whatever awaits, the sitter is there with unwavering care, attention, and support.
This support may includes: comforting words, sitting close to you, offering a drop of a calming essential oil, holding your hand or other type of non-sexual touch (always with consent). Often the support is non-direct and will mean solely being present, attuned to, and no-judgemental toward what’s happening.
The sitter’s guidance combines knowledge, experience, and intuition to meet your needs moment by moment.
After the ceremony:
Right after, we usually sit together. You may feel like talking—or not. Altered states of consciousness are famously ineffable and words may not always be necessary. Sometimes a hug, gazing at the sea, or a dip in the pool is what’s needed most.
Slowly, at your pace, meaning-making begins. Integration is a crucial phase— full of potential for habit shifts, and deeper connections with human and beyond-human life. Our role is to support you during this special time, so that the ceremony doesn’t stay a beautiful memory but becomes a fully-embodied, lived experience.
About a week later, we will meet again over the video to discuss your feelings, insights, and interpretations. We will explore how these insights can weave into your daily life and what new narratives might be emerging within you.
The encounter with magic mushrooms is most often, well, magical. But it also might be overwhelming or underwhelming; it might stir up difficult emotions or memories. During the preparation, we discuss the possible outcomes and strategies for navigating challenges. If needed, integration can include further sessions with a psychedelic integration specialist.
If you stay at Osnova after the ceremony, integration can include in-person meetings and additional activities. We will tailor these to your needs.