#witchesofig
Lore-wise, flying ointment is made from the fat boiled off of babies that were not baptized along with wolfsbane, hemlock, and belladonna. This was then rubbed on the witches body to help them fly. This is obviously not true, having started in 1458 at Linz, Austria.
The story goes, a man called Abraham the Jew published an account of a witch giving him an ointment and telling him to spread it over his pulse points. It is said that “Abraham had the sensation of flying through the air to a place he wanted to visit. When he awoke, the witch told him a different tale of her travels” so he then decided to see what was really happening by having the witch do this again while he did not, staying back to watch. “Instead of flying, he observed the witch fall to the floor and remain immobilized for hours; she woke with further tales. He concluded the unguent induced hallucinations of flying and other fantasies (Lois Martin, A Brief History of Witchcraft, pp. 49-50).”
“… the flying ointment would have acted as a “potent hallucinogen,” which adds an interesting twist to the standard relationship between society and witches. When we consider episodes like the Salem witch trials, we think of innocents being falsely accused; witches, however, suffered plenty of their own delusions.“
What would you guys like to know more about? I have a couple post ideas lined up and in progress, but I’m curious to know what everyone’s burning questions are!
Even just stuff like clarifications or another good mythological story summary are fine by me, just comment or reblog and let me know! :)
For any witch who doesn’t know, these signs DO invite the fae, especially when you set things around them like this person set a coin on the sign:
I won’t reiterate my entire fae post, but generally it is a poor idea to make deals with the fae. So unless you specialize in working with them and know EXACTLY what you’re doing, please watch out for these!! Especially in thew spring, these little garden décor things are rampant!
If you want to make a little fae garden without actually attracting anything, do not:
- accept or leave out food or drinks for them
- make a faery ring
- write letters to them
- verbally invite them, even as a joke
- insult them in some way
- give them your personal information like your name (see my fae post)
Here’s another tumblr user who has an amazing post about the fae and is a well educated fae witch - https://phae-undergrove.tumblr.com/post/676918896423550976/faeries
Fae post - https://punkylilwitch.tumblr.com/post/639458230632923136/fae-and-fairies
You can look in thrift stores for old objects that seem powerful, sometimes they have candles too! Not only is it environmentally friendly compared to buying all new stuff, but you can also utilize the old magic to make something new and possibly connect with something new!
Recycling is very good, it’s a nice way of giving back to nature!
A couple things to keep in mind:
- Absolutely keep in mind the auras/general vibes of each item you want to get and take home
- Cleanse things when you get home, even if you like the aura; just keep in mind you want to keep that part as you’re cleansing and your intentions should be set properly