Psychedelics and the Soul

A Mythic Guide to Psychedelic Healing, Depth Psychology, and Cultural Repair

By: Simon Yugler

Narrated by: Simon Yugler

A mythological journey through 10 archetypes of psychedelic healing: ancient stories, tangible tools, and depth psychology insights

Designed for a new generation of psychedelic facilitators and seekers, Psychedelics and the Soul invokes the traditions of Jungian depth psychology, mythology, and Indigenous cultural wisdom to meet a critical question of our times: How can the emerging field of psychedelic medicine heal the soul amid planetary crisis and collective opportunity?

Psychedelic therapist Simon Yugler invites the listener on a mythological journey, using depth psychology to explore 10 universal themes that transcend our individual experiences—and reveal how psychedelic medicine can heal the soul and our collective unconscious in a time of uncertainty and initiation:

• The Well: The Unconscious, Symbolism, & the Mythic Unknown
• The Temple: Beyond Set & Setting
• The Underworld: Shadow, Grief, & the Descent to Soul
• The Serpent: Psychedelic Somatics & Shedding Your Skin
• The Monstrous: Trauma, Exiles, & the Wound That Heals
• The Trickster: Marginality, the Crossroads, & the Liminal Road
• The Guide: Power, Authenticity, & Inner Authority
• The Sacred Mountain: Vision, Ecstasy, & Becoming Nobody
• The Tree of Life: Animism, Climate Change, & the Ensouled Earth
• The Journey Home: Integration, Community, & Dancing with the Village

Each archetype acts as a prism, using myth, fable, and universal wisdom to reflect back to the listener the collective experiences and unconscious truths that shape our psyches—and that are made more profound and accessible through psychedelics. Yugler shares how entheogens and plant medicine open a gateway to our understanding of our culture, selves, and interconnected reality toward wide-scale social and planetary healing.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2024 Simon Yugler (P)2024 North Atlantic Books

Critic reviews

"This is not just another book about psychedelics. Psychedelics and the Soul effortlessly transitions between our most current understanding of the transformative properties of plant and fungal medicines and the perennial truths embedded in our earliest myths.... We need books like this to remind us to offer something before we take, to inspire us to shed our skin, to teach us how to pray for a vision."—Devendra Banhart, singer-songwriter and visual artist

"Using cogent myths and depth psychology, Simon Yugler acts as a soulful guide to and through the liminal terrains of plant medicines and altered states."—Michael Meade, author of Awakening the Soul and Fate and Destiny

"Holy wow, I can't wait to recommend Psychedelics and the Soul to everyone I know. It's the perfect book at the perfect time."—David Bronner, cosmic engagement officer (CEO) of Dr. Bronner's soap company

Legendary!

I was apprehensive about this book but excited. I was apprehensive of what I could learn from it because it seemed to be about myths and legends, but what I realized really early on was how much they apply to my own journey and life. I gatheres so much insight and loved every moment of it. I can't recommend this book enough!

Grateful for this book

I very much enjoyed this read. I found myself bookmarking throughout the entire book because I enjoyed listening and learning about the different myths, symbolism, indigenous practices, and personal stories. I felt inspired. I felt more inclined (than I already do) to listen and learn more about indigenous practices. Hearing how the author approaches psychedelics and his work with it feels aligned to my own personal beliefs and perspectives. It’s heartwarming to know similar values are shared. A thousand gratitudes to this book.

Storytelling, authenticity, and much more

I had to pace my listening as I wanted to savor the experience and also deeply enjoyed it. As a big fan of Clarissa Pinkola Estes as well as a psychedelic and ecological justice advocate and therapist - Simon’s work landed beautifully for me. I am inspired as well as soothed from listening - which is remarkable at a time when I often am shocked and in despair. Thank you thank you thank you!

Weaving myths and psychedelics

Well done book weaving myths and psychedelics into a digestible story. It gave me a lot to think about. Many of the myths were familiar, however many were not. The book hit home for me on several levels.

Engaging and Thought Provoking

While studying in a master's program in clinical mental health, I stumbled on Yugler's book. I enjoyed the retelling of the myths and the comparative reflection of storytelling and psychedlics. It is a trip worth embarking on.

Psychedelics and the Soul

A resonant journey through the mysterious expanse within and without, and a meditation on that boundary. The myths shared hold wisdom, but also remind us that we do as well, if we can learn to listen. As I swam with the author, exploring the roots that support him in this work, with gratitude I felt my own connection to the soil deepen. 🙏🏻

Artfully curated stories

This book reminds us that ancient stories are in a way our ancestors. They are what survives, what is handed down, what we can still hold, and what we may become whether or not we know them. So, better to know them. If the human task is to remember the secrets of existence over and over then Simon is a damn good rememberer. If not, it’s still a great book, artfully curated, that highlights the importance of intentionality and the hard truth that the taking of the psychedelics is only the very beginning of the journey.