Weird Notions and Curious Potions

From Gerina Dunwich's Book, "Magick Potions"

Here is the abbreviated intro for the chapter:
This chapter which is the result of many months
of researching old grimoires, ancient herbals and books
on folklore and will show some of the strangest
potions ever to be brewed in a Witch's cauldron!
Some of these potions can be viewed as humorous,
while others are just amazingly outrageous, clearly
reflecting the unusual superstitious beliefs, fears
and magickal practices of an earlier time.
The potions in this chapter are by no means intended
for actual use by Witches today.
Rather, they are included here strictly for their
historic, as well as entertaining, value.

Scrying Salve
A strange scrying salve recipe published
a long time ago in a medieval grimoire
of natural magick called for the gall
of a male cat and the fat of a white hen.
These two ingredients would be mixed
together and then used to anoint the eyes of the scryer
prior to crystal gazing or whatever method
of divination her or she employed.
According to the grimoire, after the greasy
(and most likely unpleasant-smelling) concoction
was applied to the eyes, is supposedly gave the user
to "see what others cannot see."
Of course, applying anything to the eyes
is definately not recommended for scrying or any
other purpose apart from the obvious that it may
harm the eyes or cause blindness,
but that an eye salve is unecessary in divining.
The reason being that visions and sensations
are created by the scryer's own clarvoyant
mind and not due to any external applications.

Invisibility Potion

Riches for Witches
It was once believed in many parts of the world
that the plant known as the fumitory possessed
the supernatural ability to attract money
to those who knew how to use its secret powers.
According to occult folklore, if a Witch desired riches,
all she/he had to do was prepare a magickal
infusion of fumitory when the moon was
at the beginning of its waxing phase and then rub
some of it onto her/his shoes once a week!
(there is no mention of what fumitory plant is though)

Alchemists Potion
Henbane Love Potion
Moonwort Horseshoe Potion
Marijuana Magick
Wahoo Hex-Breaking Potion

Omens of the Witch's Brew (miscellaneous tidbits)

If a Witch's brew continues to boil after it has been
removed from the fire, it is said to be a sign that
the Witch will live to be a ripe old age!
This omen originated in Europe in the Middle Ages.

A quarrel with a friend or family member is portended
if a Witch's brew should accidentally be spilled on the carpet.
However, it is said to be a sign of good
luck to accidentally spill some upon yourself.

It is bad luck to brew philtres (love potions)
when the moon is in a waning phase or during
the time known as the dark of the moon.
The ideal time is during a waxing moon,
especially on Valentine's day.

If two Witches stir the same brew,
they will be stirring up strife, according
to an old superstitious belief from England.
If they both drink it from the same cup,
it will bring them bad luck unless they
are married or handfasted to each other.

It is said to be extremely unlucky for any
Witch to heat his or her own brews and potions
in a tea kettle or cauldron belonging to another.
(To avoid this, a good rule of thumb
is to always use your own magickal tools.)

If a lady and a gentleman pour out a cup of brew from
the same pot, this is an omen that a child will be
born to them. If two women pour, one of them will give
birth to a red-haired set of twins within the year.

It is an invitation to poverty and misfortune should you
throw away herbs that are leftover from potions and brews.
For good fortune to smile upon you, always
dispose of used herbs by casting them into a fire.

A stranger will soon be arriving on your doorstep
if you accidentally leave the lid of the teakettle or cauldron
off while preparing a magickal brew.
This superstitious belief hails from Victorian-era England.

It is said to be unlucky to stir a Witch's brew
in a counter-clockwise direction.
To do so creates bad
vibrations and attracts negative influences.
Always stir in a clockwise direction.

If your left eye itches while you are brewing a potion, this
is an omen that sorrow shall soon find it's way into your life.
An itching of your right eye indicates precisely the opposite.
How and where these originated is a mystery.


Lyz
OilsandIncense




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