2087 – Flying oil

Physical description:

A brown stoneware bottle containing "An May's flying oil" - an oil made by infusing herbs traditionally associated with witches' magic flight.

Museum classification:

Spells and Charms

Size:

130 high, 70 diam.

Information:

With accompanying leaflet giving ingredients and instructions. This bottle of An May's Flying Oil is an infusion of herbs associated with witches' magical flight. A 15th century account describes a wise woman using an ointment to induce visions of flying, and several recipes have survived. Many of the ingredients are powerful (and dangerous) hallucinogens such as deadly nightshade.

Resource:

Object

Materials:

Ceramic, oil, herbs etc.

With accompanying leaflet giving ingredients and instructions. This bottle of An May's Flying Oil is an infusion of herbs associated with witches' magical flight. A 15th century account describes a wise woman using an ointment to induce visions of flying, and several recipes have survived. Many of the ingredients are powerful (and dangerous) hallucinogens such as deadly nightshade.