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Julian Vayne
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Getting Higher: The Manual of Psychedelic Ceremony Paperback – October 2, 2018

by Julian Vayne (Author), Pete Loveday (Illustrator)
4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 102 ratings
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Getting Higher is a manual for exploring the use of psychedelic substances in the contexts of spirituality, self-transformation and magic. This is the psychonaut s essential guide. The techniques presented here work whether you're a scientist or a shaman; there's no requirement to believe in anything other than the wonder of your own neurochemistry and the value of the psychedelic experience. Getting Higher describes the psychedelic triangle of Set, Setting and Substance. It suggests strategies to hold and enhance the psychedelic experience; from games to play when you are high, through to complete entheogenic ceremonies. It will help you to intelligently explore the territory of both traditional sacred plants and modern magical molecules. Getting Higher is a toolbox for technicians of the sacred; ideal for both novices and experienced psychonauts. Inspired by the wisdom of ancient cultures, and informed by the latest advances in psychedelic science, this book is a powerful ally for all those following the Medicine Path.
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  1. Print length
    140 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publication date
    October 2, 2018
  4. Dimensions
    5.06 x 0.32 x 7.81 inches
  5. ISBN-10
    0992808871
  6. ISBN-13
    978-0992808877
  7. See all details
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Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Psychedelic Press; Reprint edition (October 2, 2018)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 140 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0992808871
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0992808877
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.41 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.06 x 0.32 x 7.81 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 102 ratings

About the author

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Julian Vayne

Julian Vayne

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Julian Vayne is a British independent scholar and author with over three decades of experience within esoteric culture: from Druidry to Chaos Magic, from indigenous Shamanism through to Freemasonry and Witchcraft.

Growing up in the Britain of punk and then rave culture Julian immersed himself in the philosophy and techniques of magic. His journey into group ritual practice began within the Western Esoteric Tradition when he was 16. Since then he has worked in ceremony with practitioners from many different lands and lineages. Julian is a senior member of the Magical Pact of the Illuminates of Thanateros and widely recognized as one of Britain’s leading occultists. Julian can be reached at julianvayne.com

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
4.4 out of 5
102 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Chad Brown
5.0 out of 5 stars awesomeness
Reviewed in the United States on December 19, 2022
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Great manual jam packed with lots of insight and useful information. I highly recommend this book. I found it to be a very useful guide.
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David Wilder
4.0 out of 5 stars Chock Full of Practical (and Fun!) Advice for Psychonauts
Reviewed in the United States on January 16, 2018
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Whether you are an experienced psychonaut or a first-time tripper, absorbing understandable and accurate advice about the psychedelic experience before embarking on an entheogenic journey can be extremely valuable. Although I have several years worth of personal experience and tips and tricks that I have picked up from many sources along the way, I was pleasantly surprised to find Julian Vayne's book Getting Higher: The Manual of Psychedelic Ceremony to contain plenty of suggestions and ideas that were new to me, which I will gladly be able to bring to my own psychedelic practice.

A section titled "Setting Out" describes a variety of things that someone may consider doing before embarking on a psychedelic journey, including cleansing the body with a bath or shower, fasting or making other intentional dietary changes, carefully choosing the clothes they are going to wear, cleaning and decorating the physical space, saying prayers or setting an intention, and lighting candles or incense. Additionally, choosing a group of people to trip with that have mutual trust and respect should be a priority. The end of a psychedelic ceremony can involve a formal conclusion to the session. For example, you could give thanks to the spirits of the medicine, extinguish a fire that has been burning through the night, or open the curtains to let the light in, if the experience has happened inside.

The next chapter introduces the concept of practices that can be done outside of psychedelic ceremony that will help you navigate the psychedelic experience. These include breathwork, meditation, various activities involving sound (such as listening to pre-recorded music, making music, drumming, singing, chanting mantras), and a vast array of different types of movements (synchronized or freeform spontaneous dancing, checking in on one's posture and balance, gestures, sensual and sexual activities, etc.).

Another chapter focuses on activities that can be done while high that will guide or intensify the experience for the psychonaut, such as artistic explorations like drawing or painting, consciously consuming content, holding or observing objects that are significant to the tripper, playing games, going on a journey in nature, venturing into a museum on a "museum level" dose, participating at a rave or music festival, experimenting with divinatory practices like tarot or the I Ching, and creating an environment of sensory deprivation like with a float tank. Vayne also goes into great detail about how to plan, organize, and execute an effective medicine circle, which is a way to have a structured—yet highly meaningful—psychedelic experience in a group setting. In fact, there are several descriptions of ceremonies scattered throughout the book that are provided so the reader can gain ideas and inspiration for creating their own unique practice.

Although there can sometimes be a feeling in the psychedelic community that it is imperative to the success of the movement for its members to approach and speak about psychedelics exclusively in a serious manner, Vayne suggests that strict divisions between the concepts of using psychedelics for spirituality, play, and enjoyment are not needed. I tend to agree.

While it is not a primary focus of the book, it does include some scientific research. For example, there is a small section regarding the effects that psychedelics have on the physiological health of the human brain. Research has shown that psychedelics may enhance organic brain processes such as neuroplasticity (the ability of the brain cells to form new connections), and the compounds found in some psychedelics have been demonstrated to cause neurogenesis (the formation of neurons from neural stem cells) in vitro. There are a few more scientific snippets in the book, but it mainly looks at what one can do to create the most optimal conditions for a psychedelic experience.

I was ultimately extremely impressed by Getting Higher, which contains plenty of legitimate advice for psychonauts wishing to take their trips to new levels of intensity or learn how to move through the psychedelic space more effectively. This book is certainly worth reading, regardless of one's skill level with psychedelics, but I do feel like it may be appreciated more by people who have had a few trips under their belt than by complete novices. Perhaps this will even increase the re-readability of this book—for me at least. Only time will tell. However, I am confident that the suggestions in Getting Higher that I highlighted and/or wrote down in my own notes will be helpful for my own psychedelic practice for years to come.
15 people found this helpful
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Daniel Shankin
5.0 out of 5 stars The real "How to Change Your Mind"
Reviewed in the United States on January 3, 2024
You might know why you want to change your mind, and this book will help you with the how. It's full of actionable tools and information that will make your journeywork fun and effective.
One person found this helpful
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Review
5.0 out of 5 stars the authentic insights and sacred serving suggestions found in this invaluable handbook were not arrived at in the arms of an ea
Reviewed in the United States on May 2, 2017
'Getting Higher: The Manual of Psychedelic Ceremony' (Psychedelic Press, 2017) invites those just embarking on or simply intrigued by the Medicine Path, as well as seasoned veterans, to follow the White Rabbit in a balanced state of well-informed clarity and exuberance. With a definite focus on the numinous yet never dissing the dancefloor, this essential guide is penned by self-proclaimed occultist and drug geek Julian Vayne, a recognized authority in these and other dimensions as evidenced by a series of intriguing works. Without question, the authentic insights and sacred serving suggestions found in this invaluable handbook were not arrived at in the arms of an easy chair—but the embrace of direct experience. While indispensable for group work, most especially 'Getting Higher' will prove a blessed boon to the solitary, spiritually-geared psychonaut without easy access to supportive comrades or community. From prep to launch, liftoff, and return flight, Mr. Vayne provides conscientious doses of wise instruction and practical steps to keep explorers safe and satisfied on their journeys. In the opening paragraph of Lewis Carroll’s seminal mind-blowing adventure, our heroine posits quite rightfully so: ‘And what is the use of a book,’ thought Alice, ‘without pictures or conversation?’ Appropriately then, while Mr. Vayne’s refreshingly unpretentious style engages the reader at every turn, this compact yet deeply rich text is graced throughout by Pete Loveday’s charming illustrations and a stunningly kaleidoscopic cover design. And renowned psychedelic researcher Dr. David Luke sets the scene with a welcoming foreword. 'Getting Higher' illuminates Wonderland with a mind-expanding, heart-opening, and soul-soaring light. – Michael Orlando Yaccarino, author of 'Heart Vision: Tarot’s Inner Path' and co-author of 'Infinite Variety: The Life and Legend of the Marchesa Casati'
7 people found this helpful
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Howard Lee Myerhoff
4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent manual
Reviewed in the United States on August 9, 2017
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Step by step rituals for your psychedelic journey. He maintains a positive, joyful focus no matter what your purpose, religious/spiritual, psychological insight or pleasure.
2 people found this helpful
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bluefluke
5.0 out of 5 stars A masterwork and an instant classic.
Reviewed in the United States on August 22, 2017
I cannot overstate how refreshing it is to finally have a reliable manual on this subject, written by an experienced practitioner, that guides the reader step by step in plain language. As condensed as this book may appear, no stone is left unturned. From proper dosage to the tiniest ceremonial nuance, Vayne walks the reader through an astonishing number of technologies used throughout the world from the infancy of humanity to the modern age. Regardless of whether you are a beginner taking your first steps along the path or a seasoned veteran looking for something new, if you are exploring chemignosis, this manual is an invaluable resource and should be considered the defacto guide on the subject.
5 people found this helpful
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S. Davies
5.0 out of 5 stars A great manual for deeper exploration
Reviewed in the United States on May 12, 2017
This is a really helpful exploration of how we as human beings can get the most of the magical journeys we take. Julians writing is as lucid and accessible as usual and his passion for psychedelic ceremony infuses this work. What I enjoyed most was his exploration of techniques and the creation of the ritual setting and how these could be applied whether the sacrament at hand was either a cup of builders tea or something decidedly more psychedelic.

Viewed through the lens of his own deep personal exploration, he considers issues around belief, the use of the body and concerns about participant safety in a manner that are deeply helpful.

Whether you are new to this work or a seasoned psychonaut, there are few other works out there that are as clear,thoughtful and as infused with the aim of personal healing.
2 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

Karlllllll
5.0 out of 5 stars Very interesting
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 1, 2023
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Really interesting read.
Highly recommended
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Allan Jones
4.0 out of 5 stars Cool Book
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 24, 2017
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Worth a read for travellers of entheogenetic voyagers. Info to keep the trip good, keep the head there. I want to go to that museum, sounds cool 😎... Bye
4 people found this helpful
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CateK
5.0 out of 5 stars A great book full of practical suggestions
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 15, 2017
Verified Purchase
A great book full of practical suggestions, lyrical language, enthusiam and playfulness. If you have any interest in using psychedelics in any way, or you're already using psychedelics and want to go further then I recommend giving it a read.
5 people found this helpful
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Great
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 6, 2019
Verified Purchase
Well written, interesting and and useful. Enjoyed the read and learnt a few things. Great for those who wish to explore
2 people found this helpful
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Ollie B
5.0 out of 5 stars Very useful manual.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 6, 2019
Verified Purchase
Full of good ideas, useful suggestions and written in an engaging and accessible style.
One person found this helpful
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