We start the conversation delving into the role of substance use across human history and lay some foundations for how to understand the terrain.

Tola explores the organizing framework of prohibition, harm reduction, and the psychedelic renaissance, laying out some core definitions and observations, followed by criticisms of the prevailing models and concluding with a proposal called the “Drug Celebration Paradigm.”

He then goes on to challenge the definition of psychedelics, and uses that as a basis to broaden the range of what can be imagined by validating the positive aspects of seeking substances for self-improvement, awareness, healing, or just enjoyment.

Leila extrapolates to bodily autonomy, specifically women’s and trans liberation and highlights the practical context for harm reduction. We then discuss how criminalization drives more dangerous and intense versions of drugs, and how drug use is driven by legitimate human needs.

This leads to a conversation about the hypocrisy of the scheduling system and the need for self-trust and discernment, especially when we look at the mismatch in language between what our senses tell us and what policies say.

This shifts us into a more philosophical exploration of free will, using astrology as a jumping off point. This takes us into looking at intuition as a real input for analyzing the present time through the lens of interconnectedness of our mass psyche.

We then touch upon ways of framing choice as a Tarot reader and an astrologer and the significance of optionality and intention. We finally wrap up with an outline of some of our own metaphysical views and experiences and how these frame our practices.

Links to things we mentioned:

Who We Are:

Leila Ghazal is the creator of Galactic Blueprint, a platform where she provides guidance through Astrology, Human Design, Shamanic Journeying, and Oracle Readings. In 2020, Leila went from being a psychedelic researcher, coordinating the Psilocybin for Major Depression trial at NYU to an astrologer and galactic shaman. She began providing galactic lineage readings to many who felt like they don’t belong on earth, while maintaining an active voice in the importance of the present moment and the embodiment of our experience. Leila has a background in Research & Psychology having earned a Masters degree in Clinical Psychology from The New School for Social Research.

Tola Cohia Brennan is an artist and philosopher. He has been consulting the Tarot professionally since an intensive mentorship in 2021, and offers readings via Future Present Tarot. Beginning in 2014, Tola has been a diligent student of everything spiritual and esoteric with an inquisitive and open-ended approach emphasizing historical context and primary sources. He has an undergraduate degree in Contemporary Spirituality through Hunter College and a masters degree from the Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at CUNY.