The Hero’s Journey: How Archetypes and Metaphors Help Us Prepare for Psilocybin Therapy

I hated the word epic before it was cool to hate the word epic. My aversion was so strong that my friends would deliberately troll me by using the term in random and trivial contexts just to see my face scrunch up and start ranting about Beowulf. That said, as we look for an adjective to aptly describe the breadth and depth of a psilocybin journey, epic is emphatically there, in the front of the room with her hand up and just begging to be called on.

The Epic Journey

I went to Iceland about a decade ago. As I started to plan, one thing became very apparent—this nearly treeless hobbitland where horse milk and fermented shark define local palates and mini-ponies dot the landscape was unlike any place I’d ever been. I was of two minds—do I close my Reddit tabs right then and there—and welcome the bravado of a spontaneous adventure through exotic territory—or do I continue to research and make sure I don’t miss out on all the island has to offer?

Iceland is what a psilocybin journey feels like. The landscape dazzles and confounds compared to the view from your ordinary state of consciousness. Now, it is totally possible to drop into a mushroom trip with an open mind, adventurous spirit and without preparation, just as it’s possible to fly to Iceland with the shirt on your back and immerse yourself in the culture of the island. That said, arriving at the mouths of ethereal glaciers is easier with hiking poles, a map and a guide with a satellite phone.

Likewise, most of us consult psilocybin for guidance around real issues; we are often seeking clarity and looking inward at difficult things. If we are not ready to arrive at those dimly lit terminals within us, our journeys might prove to be a little turbulent. However, once we’ve already looked inward and formed a conceptual packing list for an epic journey, we’ll be more equipped to handle the rough terrain and bask in the beauty of profound revelation.

The Rowboat on the River

Iceland thing too convoluted? Let’s try this instead. We’re performing a play called the Rowboat and the River. You are the passenger. The facilitator is the captain. The mushrooms are the river. 

It’s a gorgeous day in the grand canyon of the soul, and the forecast calls for moments of insight and a 100% chance of inspiration. As an experienced captain, the facilitator knows how to navigate the boat through tight corridors and even roaring rapids. You’re welcome to gasp at the landscape and grasp at the handrails, but your job today is to cede control and let someone else drive for once :).

This stretch of river is always beautiful and always changing and even among the darker eddies, you’ll find support and solace as your peer into the water. That said, If you start to second-guess the route of the river, you could essentially lock yourself out of a potentially transformative experience. 

The Kitchen Sink Metaphor

Let’s just take the word trip and run with it. Think about all the trips you’ve taken in your life and how much you generally plan and what you tend to pack. Treating the psilocybin experience as an actual trip should help you prepare for your own hero’s quest. 

After all, it’s easier to slay dragons and find treasure if you’ve got a sword and a map.