History of Cannabis Hemp & Religion
Paleobotanical evidence (including fossilized pollen & leaf samples from a range of eras & locales) indicates that the cannabis hemp plant/species originated around 19.6-22 million years ago (during the Oligocene epoch, about the same time the first elephants and primates start appearing in the fossil record) in the general vicinity of Qinghai Lake on the northeastern edge of the Tibetan Plateau. From there, the current understanding is that cannabis first traveled west: 6 million year old cannabis pollen has been found in Europe (suggesting that cannabis hemp’s presence in Europe predates human settlement), then east, reaching China by 1.2 million years ago and India by 32,600 years ago…
Spiritual artifacts & relics have been found indicating cannabis being used for ceremonial/religious purposes for at least the past 2,600 years as a sacramental means for communing with and increasing connection to one’s faith. Many spiritual traditions mention cannabis in their scripture/sacred texts where the holy herb is ascribed as having divine/heavenly origins:
Paleobotanical evidence (including fossilized pollen & leaf samples from a range of eras & locales) indicates that the cannabis hemp plant/species originated around 19.6-22 million years ago (during the Oligocene epoch, about the same time the first elephants and primates start appearing in the fossil record) in the general vicinity of Qinghai Lake on the northeastern edge of the Tibetan Plateau. From there, the current understanding is that cannabis first traveled west: 6 million year old cannabis pollen has been found in Europe (suggesting that cannabis hemp’s presence in Europe predates human settlement), then east, reaching China by 1.2 million years ago and India by 32,600 years ago…
Spiritual artifacts & relics have been found indicating cannabis being used for ceremonial/religious purposes for at least the past 2,600 years as a sacramental means for communing with and increasing connection to one’s faith. Many spiritual traditions mention cannabis in their scripture/sacred texts where the holy herb is ascribed as having divine/heavenly origins:
“Then the angel showed me a river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb down the middle of the main street of the city. On either side of the river stood a tree of life, producing twelve kinds of fruit and yielding a fresh crop for each month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations.”
Holy Bible, New Testament, Revelation 22:1-2
“Then the angel showed me a river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb down the middle of the main street of the city. On either side of the river stood a tree of life, producing twelve kinds of fruit and yielding a fresh crop for each month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations.”
Holy Bible, New Testament, Revelation 22:1-2
Cannabis found in 750BC Judaic temple incense:
In the 1950s, a relatively small but remarkably intact Judaic temple shrine was excavated in Arad, Israel in which were found 2 incense altars; the altars and the incense residue they still contained were recently re-analyzed using modern analytical techniques (see 2020 research paper Cannabis and Frankincense at the Judahite Shrine of Arad in the Journal of the Institute of Archaeology of Tel Aviv University).
The temple shrine was owned & administrated by the Kingdom of Judah and saw its most active use over the 50-year period between 715-755 BC (~2800 years ago).
Two north-facing limestone altars were found, one altar contained frankincense residue, the other altar had incense residue containing THC, CBD, CBN, and a range of terpenes commonly found in cannabis (such as caryophyllene & borneol) which indicate very well-preserved residues of cannabis flower, leaves and/or oil.
The Arad discovery provides the earliest undisputable evidence for the use of cannabis in the Ancient Near East. Hallucinogenic substances are known from various neighboring cultures, but this is the first known evidence of hallucinogenic substance found in the Kingdom of Judah.
Cannabis found in 750BC Judaic temple incense:
In the 1950s, a relatively small but remarkably intact Judaic temple shrine was excavated in Arad, Israel in which were found 2 incense altars; the altars and the incense residue they still contained were recently re-analyzed using modern analytical techniques (see 2020 research paper Cannabis and Frankincense at the Judahite Shrine of Arad in the Journal of the Institute of Archaeology of Tel Aviv University).
The temple shrine was owned & administrated by the Kingdom of Judah and saw its most active use over the 50-year period between 715-755 BC (~2800 years ago).
Two north-facing limestone altars were found, one altar contained frankincense residue, the other altar had incense residue containing THC, CBD, CBN, and a range of terpenes commonly found in cannabis (such as caryophyllene & borneol) which indicate very well-preserved residues of cannabis flower, leaves and/or oil.
The Arad discovery provides the earliest undisputable evidence for the use of cannabis in the Ancient Near East. Hallucinogenic substances are known from various neighboring cultures, but this is the first known evidence of hallucinogenic substance found in the Kingdom of Judah.
Cannabis declared kosher mitzvah
In December 2015, Rabbi Chaim Kanievsky and Rabbi Yitchak Silberstein, considered the leading living ultra-Orthodox authorities on halacha (Jewish religious law), ruled that medicinal cannabis is kosher (for Passover & other high holy days) and using medicinal cannabis products to relieve pain should be regarded as a mitzvah (an imperative, a commandment).
Cannabis is one of the Five Sacred & Essential Plants of The Vedas
Cannabis (aka Indra’s food, bhang, soma, charas, amrita, heavenly nectar) is one of the five sacred & essential plants mentioned in the Vedas (Hindu scriptures, some of whose authorship dates have been astrologically calibrated/dated at ~6,000 years ago which indicates cannabis’s religious use is at least that old…):
“Asvattha [sacred fig]; Darbha [meditation grass]; King of Plants is Soma [cannabis/bhang/charas], deathless sacrifice; Barley and Rice are all healing balms, the immortal sons of Heaven.”
From Atharvaveda, Book 8 Hymn VII [A charm to restore a sick man to health], Verse 20
Cannabis is one of the Five Sacred & Essential Plants of The Vedas
Cannabis (aka Indra’s food, bhang, soma, charas, amrita, heavenly nectar) is one of the five sacred & essential plants mentioned in the Vedas (Hindu scriptures, some of whose authorship dates have been astrologically calibrated/dated at ~6,000 years ago which indicates cannabis’s religious use is at least that old…):
“Asvattha [sacred fig]; Darbha [meditation grass]; King of Plants is Soma [cannabis/ bhang/ charas], deathless sacrifice; Barley and Rice are all healing balms, the immortal sons of Heaven.”
From Atharvaveda, Book 8 Hymn VII [A charm to restore a sick man to health], Verse 20
Ma Gu The Taoist Mother Goddess Of Cannabis Hemp
Ma Gu is the ancient Taoist goddess of cannabis – the elixir of life, healing and longevity – revered for millennia throughout Asia (particularly China, Korea & Japan), her full name is Her Holiness Princess Ma Gu, Goddess of Cannabis.
She has appeared in Chinese mythology since at least 200 BC, her religious sect has been in existence since at least 500 AD. In Korean mythology she’s known as Mago, a form/aspect of the original Great Mother Goddess.
According to the Taoist Ma Gu scriptures, The Goddess Ma Gu dwells within the cannabis plant, they are considered one and the same being; consuming the cannabis plant produces a mystical union with the Princess of Cannabis, Ma Gu.
Ma Gu’s divine immortal mission is to plant the seeds of the cannabis plant everywhere; in the Taoist cannabis-creation myth the cannabis plant has divine origins as “a gift from the union of Heaven and Earth”.
Ma Gu The Taoist Mother Goddess Of Cannabis Hemp
Ma Gu is the ancient Taoist goddess of cannabis – the elixir of life, healing and longevity – revered for millennia throughout Asia (particularly China, Korea & Japan), her full name is Her Holiness Princess Ma Gu, Goddess of Cannabis.
She has appeared in Chinese mythology since at least 200 BC, her religious sect has been in existence since at least 500 AD. In Korean mythology she’s known as Mago, a form/aspect of the original Great Mother Goddess.
According to the Taoist Ma Gu scriptures, The Goddess Ma Gu dwells within the cannabis plant, they are considered one and the same being; consuming the cannabis plant produces a mystical union with the Princess of Cannabis, Ma Gu.
Ma Gu’s divine immortal mission is to plant the seeds of the cannabis plant everywhere; in the Taoist cannabis-creation myth the cannabis plant has divine origins as “a gift from the union of Heaven and Earth”.
Ma Gu The Taoist Mother Goddess Of Cannabis Hemp
Ma Gu is the ancient Taoist goddess of cannabis: the elixir of life, healing and longevity.
Revered for millennia throughout Asia (particularly China, Korea & Japan), her full name is Her Holiness Princess Ma Gu, Goddess of Cannabis.
She has appeared in Chinese mythology since at least 200 BC, her religious sect has been in existence since at least 500 AD. In Korean mythology she’s known as Mago, a form/aspect of the original Great Mother Goddess.
According to the Taoist Ma Gu scriptures, The Goddess Ma Gu dwells within the cannabis plant, they are considered one and the same being; consuming the cannabis plant produces a mystical union with the Princess of Cannabis, Ma Gu.
Ma Gu’s divine immortal mission is to plant the seeds of the cannabis plant everywhere; in the Taoist cannabis-creation myth the cannabis plant has divine origins as “a gift from the union of Heaven and Earth”.
In a popular story from Chinese mythology, Ma Gu is invited to the Immortal Peach Banquet and offers, as her gift to the divine Queen Mother Of The West, a healing elixir of cannabis flowers brewed with wine upon which the Queen Mother proclaimed “麻姑獻壽 Ma Gu Xian Shou” (Ma Gu’s mantra and a statement/invocation of faith, it means “Ma Gu Offers Longevity ”).
Several temples, shrines, and other Ma Gu sacred sites still exist throughout China and can be visited today (along with the Ma Gu mountains in present-day Nancheng). Ma Gu remains a popular figure, appearing on modern-day birthday cards (China etc.) and other objects as a symbol of longevity, wisdom and good luck. 麻姑獻壽
In a popular story from Chinese mythology, Ma Gu is invited to the Immortal Peach Banquet and offers, as her gift to the divine Queen Mother Of The West, a healing elixir of cannabis flowers brewed with wine upon which the Queen Mother proclaimed “麻姑獻壽 Ma Gu Xian Shou” (Ma Gu’s mantra and a statement/invocation of faith, it means “Ma Gu Offers Longevity ”).
Several temples, shrines, and other Ma Gu sacred sites still exist throughout China and can be visited today (along with the Ma Gu mountains in present-day Nancheng). Ma Gu remains a popular figure, appearing on modern-day birthday cards (China etc.) and other objects as a symbol of longevity, wisdom and good luck. 麻姑獻壽
