Psilocybin and psilocin are potent psychoactive tryptamine compounds with a rich history of shamanistic use. Psilocybe species of mushroom can be found to grow naturally near-globally and have existed at least as long as humans. The psychoactivity of psilocybin mushrooms was known by the… Continue Reading
In many ways, the old Norse beliefs of Scandinavia are strange and wonderful. The old pagan religion had gods and goddesses of music and fertility, nature deities, elves, dwarves, giants, magical weapons and modes of transportation, werewolves and other magical… Continue Reading
Ixel Balamke’s Wine Punch – This is one recipe that is a favorite of mine that uses Riesling with Cointreau and is refreshing spring like drink. 1 small cantaloupe or honeydew melon 1/4 cup honey 2 tablespoons warm water One… Continue Reading
More than 1.2 million rotations of the Earth on its axis since her death, Queen Hatepshut has not been eradicated from memory by her ancient successors. Far from it. Still today, nearly 3,500 years after she died, scholars are working… Continue Reading
Cigar Zin Old Vine Zindfandel Ixel Balamke’s wine notes Color – purple (love the color) Aroma – dense black fruits and tobacco (not surprised given the name) Initial taste – Huge black fruits with dark chocolate and tobacco. Finish –… Continue Reading
An ancient Maya mural found in the Guatemalan rainforest may depict a group portrait of advisers to the Maya royalty, a new study finds. Most Maya murals depict life within the royal sphere, but the new found mural, uncovered in… Continue Reading
Cline Cashmere Ixel Balamke’s wine notes Color – Dark Ruby Aroma – lush red fruits and spice Initial taste – Raspberries and cherries with notes of chocolate Finish – a lovely medium body wine with lush cherries, chocolate, and hints… Continue Reading
A perfectly preserved amber fossil from Myanmar has been found that provides evidence of the earliest grass specimen ever discovered — about 100 million years old — and even then it was topped by a fungus similar to ergot, a… Continue Reading
If you arrived at the Taj Mahal in India before the sun rises on the day of the summer solstice (which usually occurs June 21), and walked up to the north-central portion of the garden where two pathways intersect with… Continue Reading
The skull of a man who was beheaded in the 15th century was at the center of a mystery until experts revealed the cranium was harvested to be used as medicine. – See more at: http://www.ancient-origins.net/news-history-archaeology/ancient-skull-was-drilled-and-harvested-medicine-18th-century-002666#sthash.xU2Nmeoc.dpuf