• Tantra - An Indian cult which its adherents maitain is older than Hinduism: this would make it a religion of the Indus Valley civilization of 2000 BD. Its followers see Yoga as being essentially Tantric, but although Yoga is now considered one of the six orthodox systems of Hinduism. Tantra has suffered constant persecution and suppression. For the purposes of this website which is concerned only with collecting some ideas about sexuality from different cultures (including the West's own folk tradition), Tantra and Yoga must be regarded as very similar. There is the same emphasis on breath control and asanas, but Tantra has more to say about sex than Yoga. That is not because Tantra is only to do with sex. The philosophy of Tantra covers every aspect of human life and embodies many highly-sophisticated concepts. There are many different sects and sub-sects, but it is a misconception that Tantra is concerned principally with sex - but this website is.
    Perhaps the most important sexual point Tantra has to make is that lovemaking can be protracted. For a Westerner not interested in mysticism this does not mean that sex must always be a marathon, but given the difference in sexual response between men and women it is good if it sometimes can be. Many of those sexual positions identified as showing Tantric influence are specifically designed to maintain sexual tension while delaying (male) orgasm.
    The other Tantric sexual truth which comes naturally out of the first is that the whole body can, and should, be used in lovemaking. This is the opposite of the orgasm-targetted, penis-centred approach of most Western males. In Tantra, the sexual unit is the couple, the importance of the woman paramount.
    (See also: Bandha, India, Yoga)
TANTRA - Click here for a bigger Image!
  • Tarragon - This powerful herb has a wide range of culinary applications and has been used in some traditional aphrodisiac recipes.
    (See also: Bride Cakes and Wedding Food)
  • Thyme - One of the herbs most commonly used for 'strewing' by the ancients to provide a scented floor covering which releases its aroma as it is bruised by the feet. A combination of thyme and roses was considered especially aphrodisiac and was used to prepare Roman houses for orgies.
    (See also: Honey)
  • Tiger's Tread - In the Arab tradition this sexual position is called Camel's Hump. The woman bends from the waist in a standing position and her partner enters her from the rear.
  • Tomato - Once called 'Love Apples', or 'Peruvian Apples' which indicates their South American origins, tomatoes were still regarded as a mainly ornamental plant in eighteenth century France. Unfortunately the unique musky scent and taste which were the origins of their aphrodisiac reputation is largely absent from many tomatoes now available in the shops.
    The herb basil has a particular affinity with tomato. The chopped fresh herb sprinkled over sliced tomato with olive oil and lemon juice (or vinegar) makes a superb sallad.
    (See also: Basil)
  • Tongue Bath - This is licking your lover's body as an arousal technique. The idea is to stimulate the skin, slowly building the tension towards oral games and lovemaking. In Japan this technique is called the Tree. Some lovers like to anoint one another with honey, yoghurt or some other suitable substance. It is interesting that the word 'lechery' is derived from licking.
TONGUE-BATH - Click here for a bigger Image!
  • Tortoise - The woman sits on her lover's thigh. Both partners have their knees drawn up and a hand free for fondling.
TORTOISE - Click here for a bigger Image!
  • Touch - 'Angoisse du toucher', an aversion to being touched which is rare in its pathological form but otherwise widespread in Northern Europe and America. This denial of our biological inheritance is sad because - as some generous eccentrics understand - touch can be reassuring, comforting or simply friendly as well as sexual.
    The hysterical aversion to being touched is usually explained by sufferers as a quite natural dislike of being touched in a sexual manner by ill-intentioned people. The point is of course that they are probably not being touched sexually in their own lives and therefore cannot take a balanced view of well-intentioned bear hugs or occasional pats.
    Years of social conditioning are not easily overcome but the place to begin is in bed. Touching another's body and having them touch yours is the most wonderful part of sex: simply being together naked is extremely pleasurable. If touch is given its proper place in the bedroom then it will automatically take its rightful place elsewhere.
  • Transcendent - Although many Tantric lovemaking positions have applications to those not interested in the ritual others, like this bandha, do not.
TRANSCENDENT - Click here for a bigger Image!
  • Trident - The woman assumes a widely-yawning position and her lover 'strides' into her. Good for clitoral stimulation if he rides high. In all yawning and deep penetration positions the man must never lunge awkwardly: bruising an ovary is as painful as hitting a testicle.
TRIDENT - Click here for a bigger Image!
  • Tripod - One of the less hazardous standing positions: if your balance is not good use a wall for support. The Chinese name for this is the mysterious Bamboo at a Shrine. The Tripod is sometimes a useful postition for spontaneous al fresco sex.

TRIPOD - Click here for a bigger Image!
  • Truffle - Entire books have been written on the aphrodisiac value of this pungent fungus which is found in white, black and red forms. Truffles grow underground which makes the gathering (usually with dogs) difficult and the price high. It is not possible to cultivate truffles commercially.
    The Romans enjoyed truffles, as did George IV who instructed his ambassadors to establish a regular supply to the royal kitchens. Truffles were recommended to Napoleon as a means of increasing his potency.
    Many patés contain truffles which is so strongly flavoured that only a minute amount is needed. Finest of all is the black truffle which is particularly good with game and is an essential ingredient in mush aphrodisiac cooking.
    (See also: Erotic Cuisine)
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  • Turnaround - In this technique the woman mounts her lover and after a few strokes swings one leg over his chest until she is facing the other way. The same pattern is then repeated.
TURNAROUND - Click here for a bigger Image!
  • Utpiditaka - A sexual technique meaning 'high squeeze'. In this position the man supports the woman but is, essentially, passive. She is the active partner, milking his penis with her vagina by using the holding technique.
    (See also: Kabbazah)
UTPIDITAKA - Click here for a bigger Image!
  • Valerian - (Valeriana officinalis) - A perennial herb with a very long history of use as an aphrodisiac. Among the Celtic peoples women wore a sprig of valerian between their breasts to attract lovers. In the Middle Ages valerian was known as cetwale and was added to beer; later it became known as 'drunken sailor' and was used by tavern prostitutes.
    The roots should be collected after the leaves have died back, washed and dried in the shade. One teaspoon per cup of water can be taken as an infusion, but not more than the equivalent of one cup a day and not for long periods.
    (See: Wild Plants for methods and precautions)
  • Vanilla - Its name happens to be the diminutive of vagina, but vanilla owes its reputation as an aphrodisiac to Madame Pompadour. The stimulants with which she excited Louis XV were mostly delicious: vanilla was added to whipped cream or chocolate.
    (See also: Erotic Cuisine)
  • Vervain - (Verbena officinalis) - Its name means 'sacred herb' in Latin which since it also has a reputation as a sexual stimulant may indicate a connection with an ancient fertility cult.
    Vervain is available as a herb tea, especially in Germany. To make your own infusion dry the flowering plant in the sun and add two teaspoons per cup of water.
    (See: Wild Plants for methods and precautions)
  • Victory - The painting from Jaipur shows a traditional stage. having penetrated his lover the man is moving forward until he is straddling her with his penis bent away from him under tension 'to polish the jewel of her clitoris'.
VICTORY - Click here for a bigger Image!
  • Vienna Oyster - Sexual gymnastics and training were the vogue in fin de siecle Vienna. This position is only of interest to gymnasts: the woman lies on her back, crossing her feet behind her head. Her lover then penetrates her by lying on top of her.
  • Vine - This striding position, Lataveshta, demands considerable suppleness in the man. If he is long and rides high this position give good clitoral stimulation.
VINE - Click here for a bigger Image!
  • Voice -
    'One accent from thy lips the blood more warmes,
    Than all their philtres, exorcism and charmes'.

    These lines from Robert Burton's Anatomy of Melancholy, refer to the erotic excitement which the human voice can create. While higher tones are thrilling, both men and women find deeper voices more aphrodisiac.
    Of course the voice of a loved one is thrilling even if he or she speaks like Mickey Mouse. Nature does not bless everyone with a deep voice or indeed prodigious sexual equipment. In both cases how you use them is the important thing.

  • Water - Fire may be the most passionate of the elements, but water is the most erotic. Everything about water is sexual: the sound it makes, the way it moves, the way it caresses every part of the skin surface when we swim. The goddess of love came from the sea: Aphrodite means: 'born of the surf'.
    Water is also a very useful way of overcoming gravity, and buoyancy can enable lovers to achieve most of the Hindu standing postures which on dry land are difficult and even hazardous. Even if you have access to a private swimming pool the sea is better - for buoyancy, aesthetically, because salt is preferable to chlorine.
  • Wheel - The naive perspective of the painting rather confuses a simple asana where the woman rides the man, constantly turning on him to vary the visual and physical sensation for both of them. Unless you are agile, rising and falling on your lover's penis while turning is easier if there is something overhead to grasp.
WHEEL - Click here for a bigger Image!
  • Wheelbarrow - This popular position gives good perineal stimulation for the woman but it is better as an intermediate stage in lovemaking rather than a final posture for orgasm unless she is already very excited.
WHEELBARROW - Click here for a bigger Image!
  • Wife of Indra - A famous lovemaking posture from Kama Sutra. The woman is in the yawning position fully supported by pillows and cushions. Her partner kneels or squats before her, riding higher and pressing down on her as they approach orgasm.
WIFE OF INDIA - Click here for a bigger Image!
  • Wild Plants - It is strongly recommended that you OBTAIN ALL HERBS FROM A QUALIFIED AND REPUTABLE HERBALIST. If you want to collect them yourself remember that this book is not intended as an identification guide although some wild plants are illustrated. Each plant is given both its popular and botanical name to enable you to find it in botanical reference books. There are several exellent guides to edible and medicinal plants which you must consult before attempting to gather any of the plants mentioned in this book. Even then you would be welladvised to go collecting with an expert as many plants look similar to untrained eyes. Remember, many of the most deadly poisons known to man are present in large quantities in some plants.
    The details of how to dry and store plants are also important. Where you pick plants is significant too since many fields have been sprayed with pesticides. The laws protecting plants are another factor and with some plants one part is edible and another is poisonous. A GOOD PLANT IDENTIFICATION GUIDE IS ESSENTIAL, preferably with an expert companion: there are always local botanists and societies who are pleased to help - even if it is only to identify plants after you have collected.

    Preparation and Dosage:
    Because plant identification guides may not give the dose and precaution method this has been indicated, together with the part of the plant to be used. The method of preparation in most cases is infusion. place the recommended quantity of the plant in the bottom of a standard-sized teacup (not metallic). The chopped or shredded material should be measured in teaspoons - not heaped. Fill the cup with boiling water and cover with a saucer. Leave this to stand for the time indicated where this is important. Drink as soon as possible thereafter. Maceration is used where plants have delicately balanced ingredients and are steeped in cold water. The time differs and is given with each plant.
    Unless otherwise indicated the maximum daily intake of the prepared herbal 'tea' is one cup per day.

BACCHUS ET ARIANE
  • Wine - One of the world's great sensual pleasures. There are wines to suit every taste, every mood, every occasion - and every pocket. Wine should delight the eye, the nose and the taste before it goes on to delight the rest of you. Treat it as part of the ritual of lovemaking, hone your senses with it, enjoy it together - but not too much. The old saying is 'one cup for health; two cups for love; and three for sleep'. You can of course choose your 'cup' which need not be the exiguous restaurant object. But try not to cheat like the Emperor Charlemagne who boasted that he seldom had more than one cup of wine in an evening but failed to mention that a Frankish cup resembled a bird bath.
    The white wines best suited to lovemaking - before and after only, unless you are making a day of it - are those with intense perfume and good fruit rather than the flinty-dry types. For the rich there are great German wines, but Sancerre is also wonderful as are many of the fragrant wines made from the Chardonnay grape in Australia and California.
    Red wine is a little more difficult in an erotic context but more rewarding if you get it right. Fine clarets demand (and deserve) too much attention but could be enjoyed during a long pre-lovemaking meal if table and bed rate of similar importance for both of you. Burgundy is probably better or intensely-flavoured Italians like Venegazzu. The spectacular red wines of Australia may be best of all for lovers.
    Dessert wine offers many possibilities from Beaume de Venise with its female muscat scent and taste, to the rich wonders of port and madeira.
    (See also: Alcohol, Champagne, Erotic Cuisine)
  • Woodruff - (Asperula odorata) - This perennial herb is one of those which European herbalists believed to be 'provocative to venery'. The fresh or dried herb (preferably picked just before flowering) can be taken as an infusion. Two teaspoons of the chopped herb per cup of water, allowed to stand for ten minutes.
    (See also: Wild Plants for methods and precautions)
WRESTLER - Click here for a bigger Image!
  • Wrestler - This position is a sexual variant of a Yoga asana and should not be attempted by the untrained.
  • X Posture - When lovers lean back fully, with the penis inserted in a frontal position, they form the X-posture. This position is good for leisurely lovemaking and can be maintained for quite long periods.
  • Yawning - A typical example of a group of sexual postures which all involve the woman's legs being opened as widely as possible, her knees drawn up. All yawning positions involve deep penetration and require controlled thrusting from the man.
    If the man moves in and out with an undulating rhythm it is the technique the Chinese call reeling off silk.
YAWNING - Click here for a bigger Image!
  • Ylang-Ylang - An intensely sweet and flowery essential oil derived form the Ylang-Ylang tree which grows in Madagascar. It has a good reputation as a stimulating aroma for men from the time when it was in vogue as a simple floral perfume.
    (See also: Essential Oils, Perfume and Scent)
  • Yoga - One of the six systems of orthodox Hindu philosophy. There are many different Yogas but that most familiar outside India is Hatha Yoga, the Yoga of physical power. This is an arduous and lengthy voyage of self-discovery in eight stages, each involving greater mental and physical control. In the more advanced stages sex is seen as a hindrance rather than a help in the search for enlightenment, which is one of the main differences between Yoga and Tantra which in many other respects are similar.
    (See also: Tantra)
  • Zulu Style - Various cultures have adopted different methods of controlling adolescent sexuality. The least healthy is surrounding sex with a wall of guilt and shame. The Victorian educators added a sadistic twist by propagating the rumour that even sex with yourself was not only a reason for feeling guilty but also caused everything from blindness to insanity.
    Another method was 'clothed intercourse'. This has been surreptitiously practiced by Western teenagers who would have been surprised to learn that their counterparts in Turkey and among the Xhosa were encouraged to do it. Not very satisfactory, certainly not an effective contraceptive, but more enlightened than guilt and repression.
    Zulu elders in traditional Zulu society had a better method. The young men and women were permitted to make love, at certain times, by moving the boy's penis between the girl's thighs. Lovemaking to all intents and purposes, with good clitoral stimulation for her and a reduced risk of unwanted pregnancy. The Latin term is coitus inter femora which some people indulge in for pleasure rather than from necessity. The Zulus called it 'the Wiping of the Spears'. Whatever else it is, it is not a particularly good birth control method - the great Zulu king Chaka is said to have been conceived during the Wiping of the Spears.
ZULU STYLE - Click here for a bigger Image!



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