A term derived from the Greek 'entheos', directly translated to mean having "God (theos) within" or more loosely translated as "inspired" and 'genesthe' meaning "to generate". 'Entheos' was typically used to describe poets, musicians and other artists who were believed to receive their gifts from the divine.
The word entheogen thus exposes itself as meaning "that which generates God/the divine in a person". The term was first
coined in 1979 as a replacement for '
psychedelic' and 'hallucinogen' which both carry with them certain denigrating connotations. The cultures of those who use psychoactives that
fall within the category of entheogen (or enthnobotanical, a related term which refers specifically to psychoactive plants) and those who use such substances for 'recreational' or secular uses are in some cases, strongly at
ends, and in others allied. Entheogen is a term to be used in strict reverence of substances that
act as divine sacraments and facilitate transcendent experiences.
I participated in the ritual
use of the entheogen, Mescaline/Peyote when I went on a spirit
walk at the Peyote Way Church in
Arizona.
