powerful visions

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Jimson weed seedpods, a.k.a. thornapples

Even in winter, there's mischief about. File this one under "witches' weeds."

Admittedly, these ripening seedpods, know as thornapples, look dangerously foreboding. Darn-it-all scary, if you ask me. But, they come in handy if you want to go on a trip but cannot afford an airline ticket.

Consider this a WARNING!! Watch out for the genus Datura, i.e. "could kill you." Most parts of the plants in this group contain toxic hallucinogens, and have a long history of use for causing delirious states and death. 

For centuries, Jimson weed (Datura stramonium) has been used as "a mystical sacrament which brings about powerful visions—lasting for days—and opens the user to communication with spirit world." 

Hello Jimmy Hoffa, just where are you?

The ancient inhabitants of what is today central and southern California "used to ingest the small black seeds of datura to commune with deities through visions." 

We're talking the portal of Gozer kind of paranormal and "Who ya goin' call?" The Ghostbusters have retired. 

Across the Americas, other indigenous peoples including the Tennessee/Carolina Cherokee "also utilized this plant in sacred ceremonies for its hallucinogenic properties."

But seriously, don't try this at home. Buy the plane ticket!

Jimson Weed

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