Flying ointment

The notorious "Witches Flying Ointment," a dangerous herbal concoction producing psychedelic effects, was said to be used by Witches in the Middle Ages. It consisted mainly of parsley, hemlock, water of aconite, poplar leaves, soot, bat's blood, baby's fat, hemlock, mandrake, deadly nightshade [or belledonna], Henbane and Hashish.

In a large cauldron over a fire, these ingredients would be mixed together with the melted fat of an unbaptised infant and then rubbed on various parts of a Witch's body to enable her to "fly" off to the Sabbat. (Of course, Witches didn't really fly; however, the ointment did induce incredible hallucinations, psychic visions and astral projections.)

Individual witches may use any additives, such as deadly nightshade, which they belive to increase flying speed or increase broomstick range. English witches often like to use a little of the wax from candles that have been used to celebrate a black mass. In southern Europe, the fat of a scapegoat is highly regarded as an additive.

The flying ointment is applied to the armpits and inner thighs immediately before lift-off, and is activated by the usual formula

Go, in the devil's name, go!

The following is a modern Witch's flying ointment recipe. It is safer to use and much easier to concoct. NOTE: For external use only!

- 1/4 cup lard
- 1/2 tsp clove oil
- 1 tsp chimney soot
- 1/4 tsp dried cinquefoil
- 1/4 tsp dried mugwort
- 1/4 tsp dried thistle
- 1/4 dried vervain
- 1/2 tsp benzoin tincture

Using a mortar and pestle, crush the dried herbs until almost powdered. In a small cauldron or saucepan, heat the lard over a low flame until it is melted completely. Add the herbs, the clove oil and chimney soot to the lard base and mix well. Add the benzoin as a natural preservative, stir together clockwise and then simmer for ten to fifteen minutes.

Strain it through cheesecloth into a small heat resistant container and then allow it to cool. Store it in your refrigerator or in a cool dark place until it is ready to be used.

On a night of the Full Moon, anoint your temples and Third Eye with a small amount of the flying ointment prior to astral projection or dream magic.