Flying ointment
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Flying ointment is a substance described in European folklore and early modern witch trials as enabling witches to fly, often on broomsticks. These ointments were believed to contain hallucinogenic pl
Preparation for the Witches' Sabbath by David Teniers the Younger. Note on the left an older witch reading from a grimoire while anointing the buttocks of a young witch about to fly to the sabbath upon an inverted besom with a candle upon its twigs
A Witches' Sabbath by Frans Francken the Younger. Note on extreme right pots of magic ointment and older witch applying ointment to back of naked younger witch
Ingredient: Deadly Nightshade, Atropa belladonna
Ingredient: Black Henbane, Hyoscyamus niger
Potion
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A potion is a liquid that contains "medicine, poison, or something that is supposed to have magic powers." It derives from the Latin word potio which refers to a drink or the act of drinking. The term
A bottle of colored liquid labelled as a love potion
A quack or charlatan doctor selling potions from his caravan in 19th century Ireland
1773 painting of a witch reciting a spell over a cauldron
Contemporary portrait engraving of 17th century sorceress and poisoner Catherine Monvoison "La Voisin" - Guillaume Chasteau after Antoine Coypel