Astrotheology & Shamanism: Christianity's Pagan Roots. A Revolutionary Reinterpretation of the Evidence (Black & White Edition) [Paperback]

Jan Irvin (Author), Andrew Rutajit (Author), Nicholas Zervos (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 22, 2009

Jan Irvin and Andrew Rutajit delve deep into Judeo-Christian symbolism and mythology in Astrotheology & Shamanism to reveal the true origins of Christianity in fertility cults and entheogenic drug use. The authors show, with the use of numerous images, textual citations, and etymological analyses, how the symbols used in Christian art and encoded in sacred texts reference sacramental use of psychedelic mushrooms as well as ancient astronomical knowledge. This knowledge has been kept secret from the public, however, and the truth has remained concealed behind a campaign to prohibit access to entheogenic sacraments through a Pharmacratic Inquisition (of which the current “War on Drugs” is the latest manifestation). Along with a call to wake up to the true history of Judeo-Christian tradition, the authors call for a return to direct spiritual experience through visionary sacraments unmediated through dominating religious institutions. This is a powerful and provocative book that is sure to challenge and inspire. - Martin W. Ball, Ph.D. Author, The Entheogenic Evolution: Psychedelics, Consciousness and Awakening the Human Spirit

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Linking Christianity to its nature-based, shamanic roots, this wide-ranging, lavishly illustrated, and exhaustively referenced book establishes a new benchmark for scholarly (and controversial) views in the field.

Rick Strassman MD

University of New Mexico School of Medicine

Author, DMT – The Spirit Molecule



We live in a world of paired opposites—all things in the field of time come in twos. This offers comfort and predictability by allowing neat compartments for diverse things, but also leads to elaborately complex symbols and belief systems over time. Christianity, as with Hinduism, has been conceptualized as a tree growing up from a solid platform, but what you don’t see are the roots and fruits, the mystery that helped spawn these traditions. The mystery is, however, revealed in various art forms often hidden away or obscured in some clever fashion. All these traditions—Egyptian, Mesopotamian, Indus Valley—have their origins in shamanic experiences with mind-altering substances. This was not recreational; this was serious business. Jan Irvin and Andrew Rutajit have captured this tone and perspective in, Astrotheology & Shamanism. Well written with clear definitions, but if you think Jesus was a real person, you’re in for a bumpy ride.

John A. Rush, Ph.D.,

Sierra College, Department of Anthropology

Author, Failed God: Fractured Myth in a Fragile World



This is a mind-expanding book. It helps us share the perspective of a shaman (a seer or wise man) on the world and on the interplay of sun and stars…. Ideas put forward by John Marco Allegro about the origin of religion in The Sacred Mushroom and the Cross in 1970 – which met universal condemnation – are here largely vindicated…. The dry philological approach in The Sacred Mushroom and the Cross is here supported by a wider study of symbols, iconography and mythology and further work on word derivation.

Judith Anne Brown

Daughter of John Marco Allegro

Author, John Marco Allegro: The Maverick Of The Dead Sea Scrolls



Having studied many of the same sources listed in Astrotheology & Shamanism; we find the presentation of facts in this 2nd edition to be a refreshingly rational and logical viewpoint- which empowers the reader to observe many perspectives simultaneously. This book decrypts the minutiae and ideology of religion, in which we are all immersed between cradle and grave. It will open your mind to critical thinking and new choices; producing a brilliant ray of hope in an almost post-literate world.

– Richard Grove, 8th Estate Media & Research

Product Details

• Paperback: 246 pages
• Publisher: BookSurge Publishing; 2nd black & white edition (January 22, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1439222428
• ISBN-13: 978-1439222423
• Product Dimensions: 10 x 8 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #376,247 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Paradigm Shift, January 18, 2011

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Truth Seeker - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Astrotheology & Shamanism: Christianity's Pagan Roots. A Revolutionary Reinterpretation of the Evidence (Color Edition) (Paperback)

I grew up Christian my whole life. I was a preacher's kid, and even went to a Christian University. As the years progressed, I never really felt that connection to Jesus as I expected. I began to question and doubt myself as to whether something was wrong with me. As I sat in Bible/Christian related classes, the answers given simply seemed to lead to more questions. Things didn't add up for me. The miracles, the words, the interpretations/variations of many things.

I began to study myself introspectively. I stopped going to Church and saw it for what it was. Any time ideas came up out of the norm, I would attempt to discuss them with my friends. Obviously, due to their being in the Christian environment too it had a clear bias towards the scripture. Everything and every answer was supposedly contained from within God's Word. They could pull passages, chapters, books to support their ideas, but it still didn't give me a fulfilling answer. I found many answers to my questions in this book. This book has changed my perceptions on what Christianity is (and isn't) forever.

I've taken apologetics classes, "Christian Evidences" classes and they simply do not address what is in this book at all. It is a stream of knowledge so guarded over thousands of years (older than the supposed time of Christ himself). Nothing in this book is mainstream, and I find that to be a great thing. If you seek truth, this book is a must.

Contained inside you'll find very detailed information cited with footnotes. You can tell the authors have taken the time to thoroughly flesh out their conclusions. The progression of the book starts in the law of Duality, then Astrology (or Astrotheology as the title indicates) as the "Part 1" to the book. This isn't your basic useless vague horoscope Astrology you see in a newspaper, I'll tell you that. Read the footnotes, if you have questions then reference the books that are cited. The "Part 2" of the book covers the suppression of information over thousands of years by specific groups of people. Within, you will find several detailed pictures of ancient and modern symbolism hidden within. Unless you have a guide, or the key to reading into the details you'd never understand what they meant and would just think "oh, that's a nice piece of old art." The authors do an excellent job weaving their tapestry with the golden thread of knowledge. Once you see what they have to offer in this book, you will not see the world the same ever again. That's not to scare you off, but rather encourage you to think for yourself not what a person of "authority" in scriptures tells you. It is only the tip of the iceberg of information, but a great starting place for those who want to understand why things are the way they are today. The best $$ I've spent in my life!

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Truth Be Told, November 5, 2009

By 

Matthew Toussaint - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Astrotheology & Shamanism: Christianity's Pagan Roots. A Revolutionary Reinterpretation of the Evidence (Color Edition) (Paperback)

Jan Irvin and Andrew Rutajit offer open-minded readers an expansive and encompassing--though not exhaustive and overwhelming--look into the depths and origins of religion around the world and throughout history. The underlying themes presented in this well written and expertly illustrated book are certainly evocative; and to the uninformed reader, some of the ideas may come as a shock, in all their profundity. But to those who are willing to set aside cultural bias (and programming), this book provides a wellspring of information that serious seekers will find both refreshing in its authenticity and liberating in its implications. The story that emerges contains within it the seeds of transformation that could play a formative role in bearing the fruit of a completely new worldview, one that reconnects humanity with our deepest and most vital selves. This book may be ahead of its time, but that time is coming, and when it does, this is the knowledge that is going to help humanity envision and eventually build a new world, one that is based on ancient and timeless truths. Highly recommended reading.

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Alchemical Gold, November 24, 2009

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Andrew J. Strieby - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Astrotheology & Shamanism: Christianity's Pagan Roots. A Revolutionary Reinterpretation of the Evidence (Color Edition) (Paperback)

A book that is a must own for anyone interested in Christianity's pagan roots and/or shamanism. Jan Irvin and Andrew Rutajit combine brilliant writing, impeccable research, and immaculate illustrations from Nicholas Zervos in a clear and open minded book that will give any reader a jaw dropping tour of Christianity throughout the ages. This book will leave you with a deeper understanding of religious symbolism and will even make sense out of the modern holiday traditions of Christmas and Easter. The authors leave no stone unturned in an attempt to illuminate the reader with the resplendent truth about the origins of Christianity. This work is truly Alchemical Gold! The information in this book is so strong that when you're finished reading it you will pass it along to everyone you know. A great gift for the holidays! Hurry up and buy it already!