An exploration of the historical origins of the “witches’ ointment†and medieval hallucinogenic drug practices based on the earliest sources • Details how early modern theologians demonized psychedelic folk magic into “witches’ ointments†• Shares dozens of psychoactive formulas and recipes gleaned from rare manuscripts from university collections all over the world as well as the practices and magical incantations necessary for their preparation • Examines the practices of medieval witches like Matteuccia di Francisco; who used hallucinogenic drugs in her love potions and herbal preparations In the medieval period preparations with hallucinogenic herbs were part of the practice of veneficium; or poison magic. This collection of magical arts used poisons; herbs; and rituals to bewitch; heal; prophesy; infect; and murder. In the form of psyche-magical ointments; poison magic could trigger powerful hallucinations and surrealistic dreams that enabled direct experience of the Divine. Smeared on the skin; these entheogenic ointments were said to enable witches to commune with various local goddesses; bastardized by the Church as trips to the Sabbat--clandestine meetings with Satan to learn magic and participate in demonic orgies. Examining trial records and the pharmacopoeia of witches; alchemists; folk healers; and heretics of the 15th century; Thomas Hatsis details how a range of ideas from folk drugs to ecclesiastical fears over medicine women merged to form the classical “witch†stereotype and what history has called the “witches’ ointment.†He shares dozens of psychoactive formulas and recipes gleaned from rare manuscripts from university collections from all over the world as well as the practices and magical incantations necessary for their preparation. He explores the connections between witches’ ointments and spells for shape shifting; spirit travel; and bewitching magic. He examines the practices of some Renaissance magicians; who inhaled powerful drugs to communicate with spirits; and of Italian folk-witches; such as Matteuccia di Francisco; who used hallucinogenic drugs in her love potions and herbal preparations; and Finicella; who used drug ointments to imagine herself transformed into a cat. Exploring the untold history of the witches’ ointment and medieval hallucinogen use; Hatsis reveals how the Church transformed folk drug practices; specifically entheogenic ones; into satanic experiences.
#727594 in Books 2014-08-22Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.61 x .55 x 6.69l; .86 #File Name: 1615776311242 pages
Review
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful. Find Out Who Is Behind The CurtainBy April DynteraThe author's expertise in laying things out in chronological order; and connecting the dots between people and incidences; made it possible for me to finally begin to understand these two world-changing events in my lifetime. Whether you read this as your first book in learning about these events; or whether like me; this is an additional book in a long line of narrative research; it is a must read. Over the past 50 years I have heard references to a "shadow government"; black-ops; coup d'etat; Kennedy's intentions regarding foreign policy and the intelligence agencies in our government; but like things seen peripherally I found it difficult to grasp the meanings. Mr. Guyenot's writing has evaporated the fog that kept me from getting a clear understanding of the books I have read and the ones that I will read. I am an American and I love my country---the land and the people---and it saddens me to find out about the destructive forces within our government.26 of 28 people found the following review helpful. truly eye-opening. how can this not change minds?By isaac bickerstaffthis is the first explanation i have read of the last half century that makes sense. check it out. there is a somewhat sloppy; work in progress "version" with mark gorton as the author on the web at https://wikispooks.com/wiki/Document:Fifty_Years_of_the_Deep_State this; as the comment below notes; is not the author of the book being reviewed here; but the work on wikispooks looks quite derivative of that book.any rate; i have now read the full book by the french engineer and am extremely impressed. great marshaling of facts; even-handed analysis; willingness to consider even seemingly "out there" solutions that fit the facts best (apple-sized atomic bombs instead of nano thermite to take down the towers; no real planes at all; only video images of them). how can such be true? yet how was molten metal in "ground zero" six months later? watch the "ghost plane" on the news video fly into a column of glass and steel with a tiny puff of smoke on collision; like a cartoon. watch the plane's intact nose project briefly beyond the building after passing through columns of steel. utterly defies logic and physics. you must read this to understand our times.7 of 7 people found the following review helpful. Guyenot does a very nice job of connecting the vary disparate "dots" that interrelate ...By bossaboyMr. Guyenot does a very nice job of connecting the vary disparate "dots" that interrelate to create our very convoluted modern "reality." There is a tremendous amount of research on particular pieces of the larger puzzle; but few works attempt to assemble some of those many important puzzle pieces into some comprehensible form. A very worthwhile addition to our "understanding" a modern events.
