A Tarot and Astrology Reading: The Future and Evolution of Plant Medicine

Guest article by Zan, mystic and astrologer

Zan’s work consists of writing horoscopes, astrological articles, and offering spiritual guidance and foresight through tarot and astrology. Find more of Zan’s articles and horoscopes at One Million Nights.

Due to recognising the exceptional skills Zan possesses, DMT Times asked for a reading into the future and evolution of plant medicine. We hope you enjoy the predictions as much as we have…

“In this present moment, plant medicine is a popular but highly controversial subject. Due to the controversy and very divided opinions, I'm not going to talk about why it works, how useful it is, where exactly it originates from; those things can be researched by the individual. I am going to talk about what the future may hold for this spiritual, alternative medicine practice.

In the first part of the article, I will present what the tarot has to say about the future and evolution of this subject, and I’ll close that section with an oracle card (Gaian Tarot) reading. This is aimed at spiritual guidance for everyone who benefits from this spiritual practice, has embarked on a journey to master it, or wishes to learn its secrets and help others. I will close the article with an astrological reading, looking at how the dance of the planets can influence this field.

The Tarot Perspective

The present

The first column speaks about the present:

Queen of Wands reversed

The Queen of Wands reversed is the symbol of over-ambition and impulsivity. This card tells us that at present, all throughout the world, there are way more people misusing plant medicines than there are people who know exactly what it is for, thus promoting it with great diligence and maximum responsibility. This imbalance has to be reflected in the physical reality is well, so we simply can't expect most people to understand what plant medicine really is. They may witness only its downsides, dangers and the risks attached to it, since certain people (gurus, wannabe spiritualists, psychologists and self-proclaimed healers) use it the way they think or suppose it is going to be effective. This of course leads to lying and deceiving themselves and everyone else.

This practice shouldn't really be about the plants themselves, but about the spirituality and our searching for the ways of the spirit; it should be about healing on the inside, and it is this part which requires true, authentic desire to be honest with ourselves… and most of all, to correctly understand the messages or signs that spirit is showing us. Such signs can promote our healing and purification, finding our own connection and an internal meeting place with spirit.

Plant medicine is merely a tool - a gateway and a helping element towards spiritual enlightenment. It doesn't substitute its essence, so people who offer these kinds of services must learn the true meaning behind it, and more importantly, connect to the spirits of the ancestors where this traditions sources from. When they receive the ancestors’ blessings and support, they may live in spiritual truth and honesty and heal people with the help of plants, standing from a self-empowered place. The very first step is to honour where it comes from, may that be spirits of the ancestors, the spirit of the earth and all the plants, or our own spirits – those that we embody.

Nine of Swords

The Nine of Swords is the card of depression, anxiety and severe mental health problems, where our thoughts turn against us and fill us with self-defeating feelings and subconscious programming. There is a simple reason why this card appears: many ‘patients’ - people who turn to plant medicine - have absolutely nothing in common with spirituality, nature, or anything related to plant medicine. They merely see it as a quick fix. This mentality needs to be deconstructed and changed, because the plants are definitely not a quick fix; using them can even make things ten times worse when consumed by someone with a very disharmonious psyche.

All healing comes from within; it starts with the desire to get better, to develop harmony and become functional. This desire arises from deep within, and after that miraculous moment takes place, the universe offers us many kinds of solutions. That might be a professional psychologist, hypnotherapist, counsellor, spiritualist, light worker, astrologer… and of course it might be a medicine man/woman. It is absolutely true that plant medicine facilitates this healing in a big way and can speed things up, but the purgative aspects - releasing the pain, traumas and all the confrontations - are also much more intense.

Neither plant medicine nor seeing a psychological counsellor will solve anything if you are not willing to face the inner darkness and all the traumas. You must be prepared to release all the pain and soothe the wounded inner child. In other words, it's not the job of the plant or shaman to make things miraculous and so very effective… rather it's the desire of the person to get better. This aspect of plant medicine needs to be highlighted: it's not really a quick fix, it's not just an effortless solution - like all other healing methods, it also needs a lot of willpower, effort and patience.

The Devil reversed

The Devil reversed speaks of freedom, detachment and liberty. This shows us that certain movements, legal actions and initiatives are already being made. Even in this present moment, change is happening in the way the law, authorities and centralised power structures classify plant medicine. On one hand, all of this is very natural, as when the time came that the big religious institutions were no longer allowed to demonise or label as the work of the devil in certain ancient traditions, people became much more tolerant to anything that sourced from the very distant past.

This included plant medicine, and of course what followed was a profound study of this subject - first of all historically and culturally, for it is part of the cultural heritage of many shamanic nations. A scientific analysis is also taking place presently, with trials, experiments and case studies that are inevitably going to lead plant medicines into becoming a legally and officially recognised alternative therapy.

The near future

The second column represents the close future:

Ace of Swords

The first card is the Ace of Swords, a card that promises not only a very fast paced evolution, but also the birth of a new paradigm through research and acquisition of new knowledge. This is meant to complete all the information, customs and traditions that plant medicine representatives possess in the present moment. This card also has a very powerful spiritual connotation, because it means that everything that is going to happen with and through plant medicine is going be directed by the divine, per absurdum; almost like the whole ‘industry’ or this branch of spirituality will be seen in its integrity, will have a life of its own and will go in the direction it ‘thinks’ is for the best.

On one hand this can mean that every successful use of plant medicine makes the spirits and energies behind this practice stronger and stronger, and it consolidates their existence in matter, giving it extra strength and influence. It also offers the opportunity to evolve and merge together with other spiritual currents and practices. On the other hand, this card signifies the 'new’, so this means that the form in which it currently exists and is practiced is becoming incompatible with how society is evolving. Therefore it needs to adapt in such a way that its essence can reach more people.

This is also the card that symbolises the internet, so it relates to spreading awareness, sharing research and experiences, and opening the minds of people through the internet. This is happening in the present moment and is merely the very first stage of its evolution… this will quite possibly lead to the change of laws and regulations that prohibit it.

The Three of Cups

The three of cups is the card of friendship, connection, inspiration and celebration. This is wonderful news as it means that non-governmental, non-profit organisations that promote this type of spiritual practice in a very cautious and responsible manner are not only gaining ground, but they are increasing in popularity. The celebration aspect of this card represents different facets: first it signifies that there are going to be more and more individuals who receive massive benefits from this alternative healing method; they in turn will probably document and share their experiences, attributing a very positive vibe to this practice… this will help to slowly but surely dispel fears and misconceptions.

The other side of this is that because of ceremonies and therapies people are going to do in groups, friendships and relevant life long soul connections are going to be created. This is something that weaves itself into reality permanently. Finally, some people might go to these groups not just to heal or go deep within, but also to connect to other people - so these ceremonies and practices will take on the roles of spiritual meeting platforms within which alliances and friendships - soul tribes, so to speak - are going to be born.

These ceremonies will weave a network of interconnected souls together and it will continue to expand; this automatically implies that any other spiritual practice that’s compatible with plant medicine will find a very good use for these ceremonies.

The Eight of Swords reversed

The Eight of Swords reversed is also a very positive sign. It represents freedom and getting free from shackles and binds. This card symbolises more than one thing: the first symbolism refers to what plant medicine can do in a hyper-modern society, ruled by social media and all the other negative factors. It can help people to break free and fight the manipulative energies, with fewer toxic people being able to gain power online. This will represent a very powerful cleansing of this industry; a cleansing which plant medicine is also going to contribute towards.

That’s because rather than trying to escape their own reality through social media etc., people are going to want to immerse deep within themselves, and this is going to create very palpable effects - a chain reaction if you will, setting the spiritual selves free from the slavery of social media and other such distractions. The other meaning of this card is that certain shamans (and representatives of this spiritual practice) who were wrongly accused of criminal activities - and may have even been prosecuted and imprisoned - are going to find freedom and reclaim their righteous status in society.

The distant future

The third column represents the distant future:

Four of Cups

Four of Cups is the card of epiphany, contemplation and divine gift. This is actually a very pleasant and unexpected surprise, because it promises something really major: in the not so very distant future, certain very intelligent individuals are going to achieve a massive, ground breaking scientific breakthrough with the help of plant medicine. This may be just one person who invents something, inspired by their experiences during a ceremony… or it could be a small group of people, who (similarly) thanks to the divine inspiration they get with the help of plant medicine, are going to come up with either a new scientific thesis, an invention, or some kind of ground breaking methodology; for example, how to reprogram DNA though neural patterns.

This will catapult plant medicine practice to a totally new level of existence, where in the more distant future scientists might use it to naturally increase a person's intellectual or emotional capacity, or unlock or develop telepathic or empathic skills and talents. This can also represent communication with other beings.

The Emperor reversed

On the other hand, the Emperor reversed speaks of quite a negative repercussion in which certain practitioners who are obviously driven by ego and don't get the highly spiritual nature of this practice misuse it, maybe traffic it and abuse its powers and benefits. This naturally leads to a massive conflict, legal battles, even the death of certain individuals who are going to be the victims of such false practitioners. This might give birth to plant medicine and such practices being taken over by an authority of the state in order to control it, regulate it and prevent misuse of it, thus preventing false gurus from using it to gain power and influence.

In other words, because of certain unfortunate happenings, tragedies that are going to be caused by reckless people, schools, courses, and training facilities might occur, so that one may only receive free practice once they learn how to use it properly and assume a certain kind of responsibility. Anyone who might do it outside of legal spheres could risk being prosecuted.

Eight of Cups reversed

Last but not least the reading is closed by the Eight of Cups reversed, which tells us that there is going to be a moment when a big division is created. The spiritual aspects of plant medicine are going to return to their roots and further immerse in the original traditions and customs that gave birth to them. At the same time, the scientific and health related aspects are going to take a purely scientific form; science will study and actively use the complex chemical relations happening in the brain to apply these benefits in various different fields.

All of this is likely to take place in the very distant future, when the spiritual aspect of plant medicine will be seem as a very valuable piece of human history. This is because the spiritual practices of that time are going to be so advanced and sophisticated, that plant medicine in its original form is going to be just a beautiful and treasured memory. However the spirits, entities and powers of nature that are behind it are still going to be just as relevant - if not even more so - than they are today.

The Oracle Guidance

This spread is a short oracle card guidance reading both for shamans and plant medicine masters, as well as anyone who sympathises with or walks this spiritual path.

The Challenge: Five of Water

The first card represents the challenge: what it is that you need to overcome or balance out. The Five of Water is very similar to its tarot version, the Five of Cups. This is the card of disappointment, dissatisfaction and frustration when something doesn't meet your expectations. In the challenge position, the message of this cards is very straightforward: it tells you that in order to truly benefit from plant medicine, it is almost imperative to approach it totally expectation-free; to take each and every single experience as it is, and to use it for what it's actually meant for… be that spiritual evolution, vision quests, or healing; most importantly, for finding answers deep within yourself.

As you can see in the image above, this card depicts a Priestess who is using her scrying bowl to get some answers, yet what she sees saddens and worries her. Despite this she is adapting an attitude of surrender and acceptance, because even though she might not like what she sees, she trusts the universe and knows deep within her heart that everything is for her greatest good - even if things can get uncomfortable. This symbol is very important, firstly because it is telling us that plant medicine is not a miracle cure for everything, even after the ceremony ends; even after you find your answers, or what you seek reaches your awareness, you will have to work with that and do additional inner work. This means self-discipline and following the guidance that you received is necessary, so practically 80% of the true work is done after the ceremony.

Secondly, this card warns you that regardless of what information, vision, communication and guidance reaches you, everything is just a spiritual symbolism - a very profound projection of whatever exists in your subconscious mind - so you need to take everything symbolically, not literally. All information and experiences should be filtered and processed, because what we might perceive as a spirit or an independent spiritual force might just be our own shadow; a part of the self, whether that is the expression of our super conscious or the subconscious. Approaching plant medicine practices with an open mind and without any kind of expectations or auto-programming is going to guarantee the authenticity of your experience.

The Opportunity: Nine of Water

The main symbolism of this card is connecting to source and the deep sensation of bliss and inner harmony that follows. This is almost self-explanatory, because not everyone is in need of healing and not everyone is in need of certain answers. Some people (especially those who are walking a well paved spiritual path) can use its benefits to enter altered states of consciousness, which facilitates their connection to source and allows them to recharge all parts and aspects of their being. It also allows them to communicate with the highest or lowest divine planes, or the world beyond the veil.

This card also suggests that it is not the individual who chooses plant medicine, but rather the other way around. It could be the spirit world, spirits of nature, or a part of the psyche that starts to strongly resonate with this practice, ultimately leading the individual to take part in such a ceremony. Yet the opposite of this can also be perfectly valid; it isn't for everyone, and different spiritualists resonate with different methods. If a person has this opportunity but something inside of them just doesn't resonate, then that is also a clear sign that this form of spiritual practice is probably not ideal for them, or it could damage them.

The Resolution: Lightning

This card is the Gaian correspondent of the major arcana card, the Tower, but with the difference that besides upheaval, chaos and destruction, it also represents a very profound purification. In Celtic traditions it is said that if a tree that was struck by lightning survived, the spirit of that tree underwent a very powerful rite of passage, becoming sacred and magical, and being able to heal other life forms around it. This might have been the original purpose of plant medicine: to serve as a rite of passage for the wisest, most powerful shamans. This ritual would have provided them with knowledge, power, purification, and also forced them to face their deepest and darkest fears and inner demons. They had to overcome all this through love and trust in their own divinity, thus they emerged changed forever after each ritual.

More and more beings became sacred and magical, ultimately becoming living, breathing portals for the spirit world. This aspect remains unchanged even today, even though there are many other benefits, uses and applications for plant medicine. Therefore we need to approach it with the highest respect, knowing that these sacred rituals (parts of which are still kept secret by the original shamans and their spirits) have the potential to turn a human being into the highest expression of their inner God.

This sacred aspect of plant medicine is not available to everyone, for it requires absolute devotion and loyalty to the spirit and the spirit world - a requirement that most people in this day and age find it impossible to meet. Resolution comes with respecting the true potential and sacredness of this spiritual practice, and knowing our limits and which boundaries not to cross. To ignore these things can be extremely dangerous and lethal, especially if one seeks greater power and stronger magic.

The Astrological Perspective

Plant medicine is primarily ruled by Neptune and Pisces

From an astrological perspective, there isn't a shadow of a doubt in my mind that this spiritual practice is so very popular in the present moment because it is one of Neptune's manifestations; it is his spiritual gift to the world, respectively to all those generations who are alive today. Neptune relates to all things spiritual and metaphysical. It pertains to the deepest and most profound layers of our consciousness and symbolises the higher self, source energy… the super-conscious, so to speak; the connection, the touching point of the internal and external Universe, and the inner and outer God.

Anything related to spirituality, spiritual practices, the occult, psychology, parapsychology, the deepest and most profound psychological states and emotions, dreams, visions, altered states of consciousness… everything that is beneath the veil falls under the rule of Neptune (although some are shared with Pluto and the sign of Scorpio). Therefore, plant medicine - or at least the spiritual side of it - is also influenced by Neptune.

All of us alive today are really fortunate, because we incarnated into a timeline when we have the rare chance to feel through the vibes and all of the manifestations of Neptune being in its home sign of Pisces. This is something very rare, because Neptune only enters into this part of the sky every 160 years or so. This is due to the fact that it moves extremely slowly, so it takes more than 150 years for it to traverse all of the 12 signs… thus very few people get the chance to experience these highly magical, spiritual, dream-like, surreal vibes, and all the benefits that come with it.

Pisces is also a very powerful spiritual water sign that rules the subconscious, past lives, karma from our past lives, and all that is concealed and hidden from our sights. When the ruling planet of a sign stays in its home, its symbolism, manifestation and influence are 3 times stronger than usual, so we still have until 2026 to enjoy all the blessings Neptune can shower us with. Among those are the benefits, magic and mysteries of plant medicine.

Plant medicines offer the solution to human ills

So what does this mean for the future? It is rather simple: we live in a day and age when mental health problems, depressions, traumas, all the illusions, turmoil, and dishonesty of society is taking a huge toll on all of us - especially when it gets down to the subconscious, where we store all our repressed and refuelled, emotions, energies, memories and traumas etc. Since all of these have much to do with Pisces, with the ruler of the 12th astrological house, the subconscious, the solutions and cures can also be found here.

Since the problem is spiritual/psychological and emotional in nature, so is the solution. One of many is none other than plant medicine, which is a highly effective tool in the hands of diligent, disciplined and responsible spiritual masters. It confronts us with whatever we are struggling with subconsciously, psychologically, or even spiritually, for it has the power to take us back to previous existences and return with self-knowledge, wisdom and inspiration.

Plant medicine is also a very effective tool for astral projections, achieving the highest possible frequencies by navigating alternate states of consciousness, connecting to our ancestors, etc. With the presence of Neptune in the astrological house of spirituality, humanity’s spiritual practices are evolving, perfecting themselves, upgrading, modernising, and becoming much more efficient and practical.

Plant medicine is evolving, and attracting science and psychology

The plants are gaining a never seen before popularity, and since Neptune is also the ruling planet of the spiritual awakening movement, it is without a shadow of a doubt that plant medicine is also evolving. It is also perfecting itself, fusing together with other spiritual practices and philosophies that had nothing to do with it in the very distant past; it is also drawing the attention of scientists and psychologists, for some of its effects and benefits are quite powerful and miraculous. Therefore it is only natural for science and psychology to leave their imprints on and benefit plant medicine.

One way plant medicine can evolve is by finding a much more practical applicability in neuroscience and psychiatry, as besides the spiritual effects, chemical reactions, biological modifications also take place in the body. This physical aspect can also represent major benefits if enough research is invested in studying and perfecting it. The chances are that even psychologists and practicing hypnotherapists can incorporate its blessings in their works, but this also requires more study and research, as well as detailed examination of individual cases.

From a strict spiritual perspective, it is obvious that plant medicine needs upgrades; it needs to be aligned or adapted in such a way that it can incorporate even the principles of modern mysticism, which involves breaking customs, traditions, as well as rigid and misaligned beliefs in the spiritual community about plant medicine use.

We must break down rigid customs and traditions in favour of fresh approaches

However, before plant medicine can receive a fresh, more practical, less rigid and tradition-based form, we need to return to the past and appreciate its origins. We must give thanks to all those great shamans and all the wise men and women of indigenous cultures who scarified their lives to study it; those who (through incomprehensible work, effort, selflessness, and maximum dedication to the spirit and the divine) created this tradition and laid its foundations.

At the same time, we need to bow down before their spirits in apology for the suffering and injustices imposed upon their cultures at the hands of “civilised” nations. We simply cannot accept their gift selfishly and develop it further, without honouring all those souls who actually brought it into existence. This might even be the reason why in some parts of the world it is illegal and labelled dangerous. Why would the spirits of all those wise spiritualists who sacrificed everything to give this gift to humanity allow everyone to enjoy it freely, without so much as considering all the sacrifices made for it?

Change is afoot in terms of legality

The legal side of things is definitely going to change; a change heralded by Jupiter traversing the sign of Capricorn. In other words, the planet of truth and justice transiting the sign of customs and traditions, so from a legal perspective, it is likely that plant medicine won't be seen as something dangerous, or as drug use anymore. This may be on condition that highly experienced professionals take responsibility for the education of the masses with regards to how to use it safely - and when not to use it.

The very first signs of these changes can happen by the very end of 2020, and we can expect completion around 2026, as Neptune exists Pisces. Uranus, the planet of greater awareness and the future and technology is traversing the sign of Taurus, where it's going to stay for the next 7 years. This is also very important and significant, because Taurus can be seen as Mother Earth, plants and agriculture. Therefore plant medicine is also linked to this. Uranus promises evolution, or better put, a technological and ideological revolution in which the way we used to do things doesn't matter as much as practicality, finding solutions and the common good.

Attitudes to status change and a new paradigm unfolds

What used to be labelled a poison or hallucinogenic substance can all of a sudden (thanks to research) gain a totally new status of medicine or revolutionary alternative treatment. It can also represent new herbs, plants and mushrooms being discovered, which can facilitate the miracles of plant medicine. It can also represent genetic manipulation, making some plants and organic substances easier to grow.

Last but not least, another very relevant moment may occur in December 2020, when there is going to be a very powerful solar eclipse in Sagittarius. This represents the birth of new spiritual movements, religions and philosophies that can greatly benefit plant medicine, for it can allow followers of this practice to exist in the world legally, being recognised and protected by authorities.

On the 21st of December 2020 the Saturn and Jupiter conjunction takes place at zero degrees of Aquarius, the sign of society, the collective and humanitarianism. The emphasis is put on the individual and distinctiveness, meaning that it is the beginning of an era in which personal differences and uniqueness are no longer seen as something negative; rather, it becomes a great virtue, opening the mind of the collective to everything that is unusual. People will desire to try out new experiences that they might have strongly opposed previously due to judgment, preconceptions and bias.

The birth of this new paradigm can also indirectly benefit the evolution of plant medicine, and it might gain a totally new role. With the help of the plants, more people might want to go on journeys of profound self-exploration.

Thank you for reading and for giving me this opportunity to share my insights into the future of plant medicine.

Zan