qpqpqpqpqpqpqpqpqpqpqpqpqpqpqpqpqpqpqpqpqpqpqpqpqpqpqpqpqpqp db db qp Exploring the Occult Volume I qp db db qp -=> Magical Recipes <=- qp db db qp Transposed by: qp db Sadistic Smurf db qp qp dbdbdbdbdbdbdbdbdbdbdbdbdbdbdbdbdbdbdbdbdbdbdbdbdbdbdbdbdbdb HERBS have always interested the occultist, who recognizes in them Nature's way of promoting health and curing disease. In addition to their natural properties, however, they also possess certain occult virtues. That is why some of those named in this essay have no known medicinal value but have been included because of their hermetic significance within the universal system of correspondences. Ideally, the herbs you use should be freshly gathered, although dried herbs are almost as good. When no special astrological advice is given, the magician should gather his herbs while the Moon is waning in the spring or early summer months. The best time of day is just after the Sun has evaporated the early- morning dew. Care should be taken to see that the herbs are quite dry when picked, since wet herbs have a habit of turning mouldy. Herbs can be dried by hanging them in bunches in a well-ventilated room, or spreading them out on shelves where they can be turned at regular intervals. In a cold climate the drying process may be accelerated by placing the herbs in a warm oven. When ready, the herbs can be used in any of the following ways: I. Brews These are prepared by putting fresh or dried herbs in a pan of water (usually one large handful of herbs to two cups of water) and heating it slowly almost to boiling-point. The mixture is then allowed to simmer gently for a further five minutes before being removed from the heat and left to stand overnight. If stored in a cool place this brew will keep for up to four days and even longer if intended only for external use. II. Tinctures The preparation of tinctures is equally simple. In general, the combination is two ounces of powdered herb to one quart of liquid (alcohol, surgical spirit or pure vinegar). The mixture is stored in an airtight bottle for two weeks and the bottle shaken vigorously several times a day. The tincture is then ready for use. III. Oils Here a handful of herbs is crushed to a powder and then placed in a half-pint bottle which is three-quarters filled with fine oil and a teaspoonful of pure vinegar. The tightly corked bottle should be placed in hot sunlight and shaken daily. Alternatively, the mixture may be warmed gently for an hour or so each day by placing the bottle in a bowl of water which is then heated slowly. The whole process takes roughly three weeks. A fortified oil can be prepared by straining off the oil every fourth day and adding it to a fresh supply of herbs. IV. Salves In this case the newly ground herbs are pounded into a fatty base, such as that provided by an ordinary, bland cold-cream. The combination is usually one tablespoonful of herbs to three ounces of cream. Another method is to add the herbs to some liquefied lard which is then heated for a further fifteen minutes before being strained off into a suitable container. In magic, herbal oils and creams are widely used and were often mentioned during the witch trials. It was alleged that they made the wearer invisible, rendered him immune to pain and enabled him to fly through the air. The nocturnal flights were customary whenever witches and warlocks set forth to attend a sabbat. What they probably entailed was a successful projection of the astral body, although most people, including the participants, were convinced that their physical bodies became capable of flight. Imagination may also have played a part in this, since the most widely used salves contained belladonna or opium, both of which were calulated to produce hallucinations. These concoctions are described in detail by Wierus in his book De praestigiis daemonum et incantationibus ac veneficiis, liber iv (Basel, 1563). The Witches' Ointment given here is based on his writings. 1. OILS AND SALVES (i) Oleum magicale no. 1 This is a general-purpose unguent of proven efficacy. An almost indispensable accessory to magical work, it may be prepared in a liquid (oily) or solid (cold-cream) base. Lycopodium clavatum (devil's claw) Euphorbium (wolf's milk) Clematis vitalba (traveller's joy) Convolvulus arvensis (cornbind) Sambucus nigra (elder) Artemisia absinthium (wormwood) Umbellifera (poison hemlock) Atropa belladonna (deadly nightshade) The plants called ramping fumitory and red spur-valerian may be used as alternatives to any of the first six ingredients, with henbane an alternative to either of the last two. Clematis vitalba and Convolvulus arvensis are advised for open-air work. Among other things they will, if combined with laurel leaf, assure you of good weather! (ii) Oleum magicale no. 2 The second of the general-purpose oils is widely used in modern magic since it is particularly useful when dealing with the elemental kingdoms. It can have a liquid or solid base. Unfortunately, its narcotic ingredients mean that this oleum is sometimes difficult to prepare. The quantities should be carefully noted. Betel 30 gr. Potentilla (cinquefoil) 6 gr. Hyoscyamus niger (henbane) 15 gr. Opium extract 50 gr. Atropa belladonna (deadly nightshade) 15 gr. Cantharides 5 gr. Indian hemp 250 gr. According to some authorities these ingredients should be added to a base composed of powdered sugar and gum tragacanth. (iii) Oleum Angelorum (Oleum magicale no. 3) This salve induces a pleasing numbness of the body and a sweet languor of spirit which are conducive to both meditation and the perception of astral forms. Often the adept will drift off after a time into a gentle sleep during which his subconscious will learn many things about the inner planes and their inhabitants. Base: almond oil Apium palustre (wild celery) Aconitum lycotonum (wolf's-bane) Populus balsamifera (popular) or Betula lenta (sweet birch) Atropa belladonna (deadly nightshade) or Hyoscyamus niger (henbane) (iv) Witches' Ointment This recipe, given by Wierus, was greatly favoured by medieval witches. It must be prepared on the day of Mercury and in his hour. It is important, too, that at the hour of its preparation the Moon should be in one of the air or earth signs and waxing. The appropriate signs are Taurus, Gemini, Virgo, Libra, Capricorn, Aquarius. Umbellifera (poison hemlock) Frondes populeae balsamiferae (popular leaves) Aqua aconiti lycotoni (juice of wolf's bane) Fuligo (soot) 2. TONICS (i) Aurum Potabile Melissa officinalis (balm) Ocium bassilicum (sweet basil) Lonicera periclymenum (honeysuckle) Calendula officinalis (marigold a.k.a. Aurum Solis) Heather honey to sweeten (ii) Universal Medicine Mentha virdis (mint) Convallaria majalis (lily-of-the-vally) Lonicera periclymenum (honeysuckle) Senecio vulgaris (groundsel) Erica (heather) A standard brew is prepared using wine as a base. (iii) Balm of Azoth Tanacetum vulgare (tansy) Scabiosa arvensis (scabious/gipsy rose) Ruta graveolens (rue) Helianthenum canadense (rock rose) or Adiantum capillus veneris (maidenhair fern) or anthriscus sylvestris (chervil) _ (iv) Ros Vitae Orchis maculata (orchis) Rosmarinus officinalis (rosemary) Medicago sativa (alfalfa) These ingredients are used to produce a small quantity of essential oil based on an oil of roses which can be prepared from fine oils and rose petals. Before use, the orchis tubers are finely ground and mixed with a little honey. (v) Potio Priapi (Herbal Aphrodisiac) Much nonsense has been written about aphrodisiacs - from rhinoceros horn to oysters and champagne. This little recipe depends on the amoritic virtues of vervain or Herbis Veneris when used in conjunction with fennel. Both herbs may be combined in an infusion; or fennel water, obtainable from herbalists, may be used to prepare an infusion of vervain. These herbs are native to Britain, and should be gathered on a Friday, preferably during the passage of the Moon through the first ten degrees of Taurus or Virgo. The Moon should also be well aspected with Saturn and Venus. Verbena officinalis (vervain) Foeniculum vulgare (fennel) 3. COSMETICS (i) Witches' Eye-bright Boil one dessertspoonful of celandine (Chelidonium majus) and one of elderflowers (Sambucus nigra) in a pint of water. When required for use mix the herbal brew with one part milk and apply as an eye lotion. (ii) Skin Lotion Gently warm half a pint of buttermilk to which has been added a handful of elderflowers (Sambucus nigra), marigolds (Calendula officinalis), some geranium leaves and one or two garlic cloves. The mixture should simmer for forty minutes before being removed from the heat and left for five hours. It must then be reheated and have an ounce of honey added to it. When cold it may be used as a first-class restorative for jaded complexions. (iii) Anti-wrinkle Lotion Follow the previous instructions using half quantities and substituting the following herbal ingredients: Arthemis nobilis (chamomile) Nymphata alba (white pond-lily leaves) Fragaris vesca (strawberry leaves) or Sambucus nigra (elderflowers) Dispacus fullorum (teasel) (iv) Wart Cure Among the many wart removers recommended by folklore are the following applications: Juice of greater celandine (Chelodinium majus) Juice of poppy seed (Papaver rhoeas) Pulped houseleek (Sempervivum tectorum) Supplement your efforts with a caustic pencil (causticum medicamentum!) obtainable from any chemist's shop. qpqpqpqpqpqpqpqpqpqpqpqpqpqpqpqpqpqpqpqpqpqpqpqpqpqpqpqpqpqp db db qp Call the Miami Connection AE/BBS/Cf for the complete qp db online experience! 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