Online Reference For Body, Mind & Spirit

Term: Flying Ointment

DEFINITION:
A formula supposedly used by Witches to “fly” to rituals. Today, it is generally assumed that the formula was psychoactive and caused the hallucination of flying rather than inducing a physical flight. The formula was put in code, and one of the ingredients, cooking fat, was unfortunately described as coming from an “unbaptized baby,” often leading to attacks on supposed Witches. Psychoactive ingredients may have included belladonna and mandrake. The ointment was rubbed on the skin rather than swallowed; however some have suggested that it was quickly absorbed by going through the membranes of a female Witch’s genitals. Beside the sensation of flying, the ointment might also cause feelings of transformations such as becoming an animal or participating in orgiastic rites.