The Spell Book of the Half-Blood Princess
One thing we haven’t spoken about much, but that I strongly associate with witchcraft, is potions. It’s a common ingredient in most fables and fairy tales about witches, and even presents itself in modern witch literature. In “Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince”, the students take a class about potions that require ingredients like human hair, moondew, porcupine quills, infusion of wormwood, and other ingredients. These potions can make the drinker exceptionally lucky, disguise them as someone else, breathe underwater, or make them tell the truth.
Our textbook “A History of Magic, Witchcraft and the Occult” gives several examples of potions used throughout the history of magic. Potions were a part of ancient Greek magic, called pharmaka (potions) and philtra (love potions and poisons), and are described in classic literature like the Odyssey. Ancient Roman female soothsayers, or praecantrices, sold love potions. Ancient Chinese potions were made to give emperors eternal life. In Medieval Europe, potions and folk magic were tolerated for many centuries, but gradually Christian sermons began to disapprove of magic, including potions, and that contempt became more black and white by the end of the era. Wiccans continue to make potions in traditional and iconic cauldrons as a part of their practice into the 21st century. So while potions have existed throughout history, have they always been classified as occult?
Looking at common potion ingredients, mandrakes are a common ingredient in potions because of their physical effects on the body like dizziness and hallucinations that were thought to help witches “fly”. Another ingredient, blue vervain, was used in love potions.
This investigation of potions has led me to consider the line between a potion and a drink. What ingredient or effect pushes a liquid into the potion classification? My understanding is that a potion is a drink which has extraordinary properties beyond nourishment, like healing, love, sleep, poison, or transformation. But I’ve certainly made a drink with an extraordinary property before. Does that make me a witch or practitioner of the occult?
THE SPELLBOOK OF THE HALF-BLOOD PRINCESS
THE BLOOD OF MAN
One of the recent potions I’ve brewed in light of All Hallow Eve, I call The Blood of Man. To concoct this potion, here is what you shall require.
1 oz of whisky, aged under the Irish moon for at least 4 seasons
1 oz of distilled fermented sun-ripened peaches
1 oz of juice from a lime smaller than your heart
and a splash of tart cranberry juice. You can add more or less if you like.
Shake all the ingredients with ice, and strain into a glass garnished with honey and blood from your preferred victim, and enjoy.
Now let me assure you, this is no mere beverage, The Blood of Man is certainly a potion as it induces laughter, silliness, and spontaneous lectures to your less-than-enthusiastic guests, before encouraging the drinker to fall into a deep slumber. Drinker beware, the more glasses of The Blood of Man you drink, the greater its effects. In large quantities, The Blood of Man, can lead the drinker to take actions they may regret; please use caution.
Now while The Blood of Man is intended to increase socialization and fun, a Yellow Bellied Sap Sucker is a healing potion. However, it’s not for the faint of heart. A Yellow Bellied Sap Sucker increases immunity, fortifies the body against disease, and decreases inflammation. For this hard to down potion, you shall need to collect
Twin lemons
¼ cup of root of turmeric
¼ cup root of ginger
a generous sprinkling of freshly ground black pepper
and a micro splash of olive oil
Blend all ingredients until a homogenous liquid has arisen. Take half the potion and try to mask your grimace. While pungent and strong, it shall cure your ills.
Another potion, this one in which I partake daily, is the Roasted Jolt. It is primarily used to draw the drinker from a state of sleepiness with incredible increased feelings of alertness. There are many variations on how to brew Roasted Jolt, but here’s my recipe.
½ a glass from the juice of milked almonds
½ a glass of milk from a brown cow
2 shots of espresso from beans roasted as dark as your soul (for me that’s a light/blonde roast)
Dash of cinnamon
Heat the milks together and pour the espresso over them. Top with cinnamon and stir your brew. Here is a photo of my lovely mother with a Roasted Jolt I brewed for her, in a mug of her own crafting.
Lastly, I shall touch on love potions. This is a potion I have not dared to yet concoct, but which promises to boost love and lust. This recipe is a Chili Martini, and while it’s called “chilly”, legend claims that it heats things up. Capsaicin in the chilis is said to stimulate the body through increased circulation, while the alcohol lowers inhibitions, leading to potentially greater attraction and desire.
All these recipes from my spell book are drinks with magical properties. So are we all practitioners of the occult? Are we all guilty of witchcraft?
This is wonderful, thanks. I smiled the whole time while reading. I think you have persuaded me of the link between drinks and potions, particularly in your description of The Blood of Man and The Chili Martini. I gave up alcohol, but your descriptions of both are tempting. You twice asked if we are not all practitioners of the occult, or guilty of witchcraft. The easy answer is yes, of course, by the old Puritan standards. The more complicated answer depends on the accusations and the accusers. Great blog.
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