22 November 2024
Psychedelic Rituals in the Planetary Era
By Ana Nascimento
MAPS Bulletin: Volume XXXIV Number 1 • 2024
Welcome, reader, as we delve into the impact of psychedelic festivals on cultural paradigm shifts and their relationship with the call to the “ancestral future” (Krenak 2022) echoing throughout the planet. From an early age, I have been a sensitive and observant person, fascinated by human complexity, which led me to study psychology. During my education, I became acquainted with alternative electronic music festivals, which profoundly altered my worldview and perception of reality. While psychology helped me understand human behavior, it offered little on altered states of consciousness. This gap was bridged during my engagement with NEIP (Interdisciplinary Studies on Psychoactives) in Brazil, while pursuing my master’s degree in Anthropology, focusing on “Psychedelic Festivals in the Planetary Era” (Nascimento, 2006).
In 2001, I attended “Earth Dance,” a synchronized global festival celebrating Earth Day. I was seeking fun and did not imagine what I would encounter: my first experience of expanded consciousness with psychedelics, dancing for hours to trance-inducing music. This experience deepened my connection with nature, myself, and others, revealing a “global psychedelic culture” (Larkin 2003) that integrates electronic music, visionary art, dance, nature, and psychoactives like LSD and MDMA (Saunders 1996). This sparked my deep interest in the transformative effects of altered consciousness; a topic barely touched upon in my psychology education due to its taboo nature. My master’s research in anthropology thus explored the universal aspects of music, dance, and psychoactives as transformational tools in both ancient and contemporary rituals (Macarteer, 2002).
In this planetary era, technology has connected the entire world, creating complex interactions as cultures merge and adapt. Amidst this interconnected yet individualized landscape, new social practices like electronic music festivals have emerged, celebrating life through limitless possibilities. Despite technological advancements, humans still seek rituals to navigate life and death (Perniola, 2000). In psychedelic festivals, the universal appeal of electronic music acts as a medium for transformative experiences, ranging from recreational enjoyment to spiritual awakening. While they appear modern and technological, these gatherings reflect a deep human desire for altered states of consciousness, a theme recurrent across ancestral cultures Anthropological studies highlight how these states have historically been linked to nature, rhythmic music, dance, and psychoactive substances.
Trance music, particularly psychedelic trance is closely associated with the psychedelic culture. Psytrance features repetitive beats, pulsating rhythms, and hypnotic melodies designed to induce trance states and facilitate spiritual experiences on the dance floor (Rouget, 1985). In the Psychedelic Festivals, dance is a form of ritualistic expression and spiritual practice. Dancing to psychedelic music can be a transformative experience, allowing individuals to connect with their bodies, emotions, and the collective energy of the dance floor. Dance is a tool for accessing higher states of consciousness and exploring the depths of the psyche (Natale, 1998). Psychedelic Trance Festivals provides space for individuals to come together, share experiences, and celebrate their interests and values. The dance floor becomes a space for collective expression, self-discovery, and spiritual exploration.
Psychedelic festivals employ what Eliade termed “archaic techniques of ecstasy,” combined with modern technology, to create spaces where ecstatic communion unfolds on dance floors. Participants unite and spend many hours dancing in a trance induced by the “psychedelia” of electronic music and symbolic art that transmits codes, language, and culture. Through multiple examples drawn from various cultures worldwide, it can be observed that trance is a result of the relationship between music, dance, and psychoactive substances, which have always been present in human history as means used to mediate communication with the supernatural. In ancient rituals, the use of sacred plants served as portals to the spiritual world, employed in rites of passage, healing, and transformation. In the current context, the wide variety of available substances and the exchange of knowledge and experiences among people worldwide expands the range of discoveries and generates a long-term social impact due to the shift in consciousness regarding reality.
Electronic music festivals have undergone significant changes over the years, reflecting shifts in cultural norms, music trends, and audience preferences. In the early 2000s, electronic music festivals often had a more ritualistic purpose, with an emphasis on community, spirituality, and self-expression. However, in recent years, there has been a trend towards a more club atmosphere, with a focus on partying, dancing, consuming, and hedonism. This shift can be attributed to various factors, including the commercialization of festivals, music and psychoactive substances businesses. Drug use has been a longstanding issue in festival culture, but there has been increased attention on this issue as festivals have become more mainstream. While drugs have always been present in this environment, some events have gained notoriety for excessive drug use, leading to concerns about health and safety. Organizers and authorities have implemented measures to address drug-related risks, such as harm reduction initiatives and increased security.
In 2006, I volunteered at the Boom Festival’s Kosmicare in Portugal, assisting those facing difficult experiences. This space, supported by a multidisciplinary team including MAPS researcher, is crucial for integrating contemporary ritual experiences with scientific and psychological research, ensuring safer and more effective substance use in these settings. The Kosmicare team embraces a tribal ethos of communal responsibility and individual well-being, essential for collective health.
“Those of us who work at Kosmicare believe that the world is a shared responsibility, where we must care for and take care of each member, just like in a tribal environment. We believe that the well-being of each individual is vital to the well-being of the whole.”
The psychedelic rituals affirm two essential tenets: the ancestral knowledges is essential to human life, and we are all connected. Contemporary rituals with the timeless rhythmic beat of a drum that connect people worldwide through psychedelic culture in spaces created to promote transformative experiences at both individual and collective levels, offering what is ancestral: connection with humanity, life, death, freedom, peace, love, respect for nature, and access to consciousness and direct experience of spirituality. The disseminated psychedelic culture in electronic music festivals has paved new paths for art, science, and spirituality, culminating in the emergence of new paradigms that currently reflect in scientific research on ancestral knowledge and the therapeutic use of psychedelics for healing. Advances in neuroscience are revealing many promising discoveries about altered states of consciousness promoted through music, dance, and psychedelics, proving to be healing and self-awareness tools. The new knowledge sheds light on this vast field of research on the topic, which has been significant in human society since ancient times.
Nowadays, many electronic music festivals have become large-scale commercial ventures, attracting corporate sponsors, mainstream artists, and a broader audience. As a result, some festivals have shifted their focus from fostering underground music scenes and countercultural movements to maximizing profits and appealing to a wider demographic. This shift has led to changes in the overall vibe and atmosphere of festivals. These changes have sparked debates about their impact on the community and psychedelic culture. Some argue that the authenticity and the spirit of the underground scene have diluted. Others see it as a natural evolution reflecting the changing tastes and preferences of festivals. Overall, the evolution of electronic music festivals reflects broader cultural and social trends, including changes in music consumption, the influence of technology, and shifting attitudes towards leisure and entertainment. While some may lament the loss of the “old-school” festival experience, others embrace the diversity and dynamism of today’s festival landscape.
In recent years, some festivals, mostly organized by former members of the psychedelic culture, have emerged with a new proposal focused on ecological awareness, healing, and spirituality. These events provide an alternative to traditional festivals by creating environments that are free from alcohol. They focus on music, art, and social connection without the need for alcohol consumption, promoting a more mindful and health-conscious experience. They often incorporate practices such as waste reduction, renewable energy usage, and eco-friendly infrastructure to create an environmentally responsible event. These festivals emphasize personal growth, self-discovery, and holistic well-being. They offer workshops, seminars, and activities focused on meditation, yoga, mindfulness, and various forms of therapy to help attendees deepen their understanding of life. They value the use of entheogens over synthetic psychoactive substances due to their healing and spiritual potential. These innovative ritual formats mark a significant shift away from conventional cultural norms, drawing inspiration from traditional counterculture festivals and blending ancient wisdom with contemporary values and concerns. These rituals prioritize personal development, connection to nature, and the cultivation of community, nurturing a deep sense of belonging and a purposeful life in harmony with both the Earth and one another. Emphasizing alternative healing and spiritual practices while respecting ancestral traditions, these rituals advocate for a more mindful way of living enriched by the insights and transformations fostered by psychedelic culture.
References
Krenak, Ailton. Ancestral Future. Companhia das Letras, 2022.
Nascimento, Ana Flávia Nogueira. Festivais Psicodélicos Na Era Planetária. PUCSP, São Paulo 2006.
NEIP – Interdisciplinary Studies on Psychoactives – https://neip.info/
Larkin, Christopher B. Turn on, tune in and trance out: the exploration of entheogens and the emergence of a global techno-shamanic ritual. Lewis and Clark College, 2003.
Saunders, N. E comme ecstasy, MDMA, raves et culture techno. Paris: Editions du Lézard, 1996.
Macarteer, Michael Belden. Redefining the Ancient Tribal Ritual for the 21st Century: Goa Gil and the Trance Dance Experience. Reed College, 2002. 3.
Perniola, Mario. Pensando o ritual: sexualidade, morte, mundo. São Paulo, Nobel 2000.
Rouget, Gilvert. Music and trance: a theory of the relations between music and possession. Chicago: The University of Chicago Press, 1985.
Natale, Frank. Trance dance: the dance of life. The Natale Institute, Texas: Element Books, 1998.
Eliade, Mircea. O xamanismo e as técnicas arcaicas do êxtase. Tradução de Beatriz Perrone Moisés e Ivone Castilho Benedeti. São Paulo: Martins Fontes, 2002.
Kosmicare – Boom 2023 – boomfestival.org
Instituto Phaneros – www.institutophaneros.org.br
Ana Nascimento
Ana Nascimento, a Brazilian psychologist and anthropologist from PUCSP, has been profoundly influenced by festivals, shaping her research on therapies and healing. Specializing in Yoga and Yoga Dance, Ana has expanded her expertise into Vedanta, Transpersonal Psychotherapy, and Bioenergetics, exploring the therapeutic potential of integrating body, mind, and spirit. Her approach uniquely combines ancestral wisdom with contemporary knowledge in a therapy centered on self-awareness, seen as the key to unlocking human potential and facilitating healing at individual, community, and societal levels. Ana continues her educational pursuits at the Instituto Phaneros, a pioneer in Brazil, engaging in courses on psychedelics and mental health and researching psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy. She plays a critical role in the anamnesis for ceremonies of Shavorã Medicines of the Forest (Yawanawa Tradition), which uses ayahuasca and rapé ritually in urban contexts. There, she screens and supports individuals experiencing their first ceremony and offers integration psychotherapy to help them navigate the emotional content surfaced during the experience.
