The Marriage of the Sun and the Moon

This book is absolutely extraordinary, definitely way ahead of its time. Dr. Weil writes with such enthusiasm and curiousity, I couldn't help but be enthralled by this amazing peice of work. I learned so much about consciousness, psychoactive plants, and the mind. A must read for anyone interested in consciousness, psychology, medicine, or botany. A real treasure to read. Dr. Weil is a gifted scientist.

Mango highs in India? Hot chili pepper highs in Mexico? Solar eclipse highs in Africa? What's going on? Dr. Weil illustrates, in a highly readable and charming prose, the various ways humans enter altered states of consciousness. Yes, traditional mind-altering drugs like cannabis and psylocybe are discussed, but so are coffee, table sugar, and yage. The author refrains from the combative/defensive stance so prevalent in many drug proponents and opponents. Instead, he takes us on a journey to both remote and local regions of our planet, showing us the many ways humans "get high." An indispensible book.

If you have become interestedin Dr. Weil's latter books on health, such as natural health natural medicine, you will love this earlier work that deals with everything from drug use in other cultures,to why chilly peppers get some people "high". And just what does getting high really mean?Well, it means experiencing shifts in consciousness that come from a myriad of sources, and most all don't involve the dangerous use of "refined substances" that people in our culture abuse and destroy themselves with. Read this book and discover this mystery.

In this book, written years before he became a major celebrity on the talk show circuit, Dr. Weil touches on many of his areas of interest, such as ethnobotany, anthropology, consciousness expanding drugs, and the relationship between spirit and matter. The book is at once highly entertaining and enlightening; it's anecdotal format makes great bedtime reading. In the chapters psychedelic drugs, Dr. Weil exhibits an invigorating refusal to reflexively condemn drug use, courageously outlining the possible benefits of drug use, while taking care to document the dangers, This reasoned, balanced approach to issues will be familiar to fans of Dr. Weil.

This book is extremely thought provoking; it is written as a series of essays so its nearly impossible to lose interest. For many people, this book will shatter many conceptions of drugs and medicinal plants that they may have. Doc Weil fans will love this although the style is different (the essays were written on the road during his fellowship). Read especially if you're interetsed in yage, marijuana, and all sorts of mushrooms