
On one occasion he took one of these potions from the home of a woman accused of being a witch and tested it on another woman. “But the vulgar believe, and the witches confess, that on certain days or nights they anoint a staff and ride on it to the appointed place or anoint themselves under the arms and in other hairy places,” explained the 15th century theologian Jordanes de Bergamo.Ī 16th century physician Andres de Laguna also studied the potions. The best way to do this was through the delicate mucous membranes under the armpits or, for women, the genitals. This was by absorbing the drug through the skin. Undeterred, some creative people quickly realized that there were other ways to enjoy the witches brew besides ingestion that allowed them to avoid these side effects. When ingested they caused rashes, nausea, vomiting or even death. There were, however, some nasty side effects to these hallucinogens. ( Public domain ) But, Where Does the Witches Broomstick Come in? Johann Weyer, a Dutch physician and occultist named all these as ingredients in witches “flying ointment” in his 1563 work Praestigiis Daemonum.Ī witch mixing her cauldron by David Teniers the Younger. This included henbane, mandrake, deadly nightshade and jimsonweed. Unsurprisingly, many people liked this effect and began experimenting with it, as well as with other plants which produced similar results. Bodies Left Behind - A Cruel History of Persecution, Shamanic Ecstasies & the True Witches SabbathĮrgot has hallucinogenic properties, giving those who consumed it an LSD-like high.

The Long History of Witchcraft Persecution.As result many people unknowingly consumed ergot, thinking it was part of the plant. At the time, bread was made primarily from rye which was commonly infected with a disease known as ergot, caused by the fungus Claviceps purpurea. Source: Public domainĭuring the period witch hunts surged in popularity in Europe, people’s diets included large amounts of bread. Preparation for the Witches' Sabbath by David Teniers the Younger. You see, the use of powerful hallucinogens was very popular around this time, and this is intimately related to the reason for why witches were portrayed flying on brooms. While the image of a witch flying on a broom may be the most common depiction, the image of a witch standing over a bubbling cauldron as she prepares a potion is also iconic. Ever wondered why witches have been depicted riding broomsticks throughout history? Well, the reason is a shocker! Witches, Bubbling Cauldrons and Hallucinogens This lady of magic is a whopping 39 inches tall and she rides on a classic witch's broom.What comes to mind when you think of a witch? For most people, the first image that comes to mind is of a witch flying through the night sky on a broomstick.

She's mischievous, powerful, and yes, a little bit evil-but being scared is what Halloween is all about! Product Details While some witches are friendly, helpful, good witches, this hanging witch is.not. Anyone can place a scary item on a table, but it takes real decorating creativity to think about what your guests will see when they look up! Plus, this witch's glowing eyes will make quite a party entrance, as she swings about your foyer, welcoming your guests with her gaze. When it's time to up the game on Halloween decor, then it's time to look up - to the rafters, the trees outside your house, the creepy, cobweb corners of the basement ceiling. No, silly, it's this Hanging Animated Flying Witch On Broom decor, of course! Solve this riddle: What is old, magical, and a tiny bit frightening, and is guaranteed to make your Halloween party an instant smash? No, no, it's not your grandma, even if she is cool enough to get dressed up and come boogie at your bash.
