The stoned witch and wasted wizard
Mind altering substances and practices have always been a part of paganism from the earliest of times, ancient pagan mixed herbs and plants for ingestion or application or even as incense.
These herbs and plants where used by priest, priestess, and shamans too help encourage visions or change their mental state so that they could directly contact the divine source, Higher spirits or spirits on who they could call on the aid in their works.
Many of these herbs and plants where hallucinogenic or have psychotropic properties. These mind-altering substances are used today as recreational drugs or as pharmaceutical drugs to treat illness.
The big question regarding drugs and legal or illegal in neo pagan paths is a matter of ethics. Although as part of reclaiming our heritage we have to understand that these herbs have benefits and a uses.
According to Carlos Castaneda in his books he spent the beginning of his training under Yaqui shaman Don Juan Matus using drugs so that he could learn what is was like to connect the forces and forms of the divine, he claims that the drugs where used just to shift his perception just enough so he could see, after he new what he was looking for drugs where no longer used as he could then reach the state of mind where he could recall the feelings and senses that he experience. He claims that each hallucinogenic induced session was like gaining the pieces of a map to the available natural spirits and powers and once the map was completed the hallucinogens where no longer need to see the pathways.
The oracle of Delphi who was one of the most famous and accurate Oracles is claimed to of gained her insights from hallucinogenic vapours, which emanated from the 2 faults under the temple. There is academical evidence to support the fact that the Oracle was tripping comes from a reported in Geology magazine, which reveals that two faults intersect directly below the Delphic temple and the study also found evidence of hallucinogenic gases rising from a nearby spring and preserved within the temple rock.
It is also claimed that the much of the witchcraft hysteria during the burning times could have been a result of ergot a fungus produced on Rye and other cereals which produces Ergotism in humans and animals.
The symptoms of Ergotism symptoms include painful seizures and spasms, diarrhoea, paresthesias, itching, headaches, nausea and vomiting as well as hallucinations similar to LSD. All these symptoms at the time would have been seen as bewitchments. It is also believed that the reason why many of the accounts of flying of to Sabbats and having orgies with the devil and demons share similar traits is due to the fact that a similar concoction was used similar to a flying ointment, Flying Ointment a highly dangerous concoction of poisonous plants which was mixed with fats and applied to the body and broomstick would give the ware power of flight, In experiments where these potions have been used researchers and have been tested on live subject whom in questioning on their experiences have expressed the feeling of flight or flying or of travelling also they experienced vivid feeling of sexual arousal (this is likely to be due to the fact that this ointment would be applied to or come in contact with the genitals). It was found that subject reports showed similarities to some confessions gained during the witchcraft trials.
Even today many tribal cultures where magicks still has a place in the day to day the shaman / shawoman or holy man or woman will often ingest herbs which will cause a psychotropic effect which when mixed with ritual and drum beat will help the sha-person or holy person reach a state where they are able to communicate with the spirits.
The states that are created when natural drugs (legal and illegal) are used can be recreated to some extent without the help drugs, Things like fasting, cord magicks and dancing to exhaustion can raise the spiritual conciseness to a higher plane in the same sense as drugs.
Drugs play a major part of modern witchcraft and the reclaiming of the traditions and before everyone goes all Mr Mackey (Drugs ‘R’ bad) they bring about change whether as mind altering substances or a healing cures and medicines or poisons. A good witch will know how sometimes by instinct, which plants, or mix of plants should be used for healing purposes.
It is very important for any pagan, neo pagan, witch, Wiccan or any one dealing with plants for healing and other purposed to understand the law and let deal only with natural drugs or what I consider to be a natural drug.
So lets start with natural drugs: what is a natural drug? It is a plant which only requires chopping, blending with other plants,being dried, boiled or burnt / heated to release it benefits an un Natural drug is something that has been chemically reproduced or is designed some drugs can fall into both categories.
Examples
| Name | Natural version | Unnatural version |
| Aspirin (legal) | Willow bark | Aspirin tablets |
| Cannabis (illegal) | Cannabis herbal such as Weed, grass, sensi etc | Cannabis resins such as soap bar, leb, rocky etc |
| nb. Legal issues if you prescribe a drug without correct legal right to do so will open you up to prosecution | ||
Each country has its laws on drugs and no matter your views on drugs you will have to abide by that countries laws if you live or visit that country.
Since I live in the UK I will look at the law and it interpretations so let start with a definition:-
1. Drug
a. A substance used in the diagnosis, treatment, or prevention of a disease or as a component of a medication.
b. Such a substance as recognized or defined by the U.S. Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act.
2. A chemical substance, such as a narcotic or hallucinogen, that affects the central nervous system, causing changes in behaviour and often addiction
In the UK we have 2 laws that cover drugs the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 and The Medicines Act 1968 and without knowledge a witch can end up breaking the law and find themselves open to prosecution and a jail sentence. In the UK as far as the drug laws go there are huge loopholes, which can turn into a noose. Magic Mushrooms! There is not law preventing you picking them but dry them out and you could face 7 years in prison and a fine if you have too many your sentence could be life under the Misuse of Drugs act 1971 and with the same silliness you have a friend who is stress you say drink camomile tea nothing but say I would prescribe camomile tea in the morning and evening one cup when you wake and one before retiring you can face prosecution under the Medicines Act 1968.
When you deal with herbs plants etc for healing purposes you have an obligation not just to the people that visit you but also to your self to be aware of the law ignorance is not a get out.
I hope that this will encourage all you that read that plants have benefits as well as their flaws and the issues of drugs and magicks are not as simples as they seem.
The issue of drugs in the community has an impact on life and that is an issue that should hit every heart.
On a serious note if your casting a circle with a joint rather than a wand you have a problem! drug issues can effect everyone around you and the more you connect with a drug the less you connect with the magicks Carlos Castaneda explains this in his books.
If you need help or advice on drugs in a pagan life or daily lifecontact:-
Frank http://www.talktofrank.com/section.aspx?ID=108
Pagan federation http://www.paganfed.org/ (sorry can only give home page but call you local group and I am sure that someone will be able to put you in touch with someone one)
The priory http://www.priorygroup.com/
Further reading castaneda
Copyright protected by Digiprove © 2010 Cyber Caulron
Related articles
- 15 Bizarre Drug Ingredients and Origins (popcrunch.com)
- Visions of a psychedelic future (mindhacks.com)
- The Secret History of Psychedelic Psychiatry (3quarksdaily.com)
- Psychoactive drugs: From recreation to medication (newscientist.com)
Originally posted 2011-03-13 22:38:35. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
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16 Responses to “The stoned witch and wasted wizard”
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Having studied the subject for over 30 years I’m afraid I disagree, unless of course you are suggesting early paganism was born of the 1960′s. Psychotropic substances have indeed been around for millennia but apart from use as a medicine or to anaesthetise prior to surgery or sacrifice psychotropic substances were avoided at all costs.
I know you want to believe that it is an intrinsic part of paganism so that it gives you an excuse to get stoned but the reality is fair removed from your belief.
admin
This article is about the use of substance, which can alter someone on a physical or mental level including healing, and anecdotal evidence of the history of mind-altering substances along the history of paganism including the scientific evidence that the oracle at Delphi was exposed to hallucinogenic vapours and to the possibility of ergot being a source for witchcraft trails as well as modern studies I never once stated that that drugs should be used in ritual as an excuses to just get stoned that would be totally un ethical this articles was discussing a serious subject you claim to have 30 years of study on the subject but you are missing out on anthropological studies of indigenous people and their uses of psychotropic substances you claiming “Psychotropic substances have indeed been around for millennia but apart from use as a medicine or to anaesthetise prior to surgery or sacrifice psychotropic substances were avoided at all costs” I suggest you do a bit more research may be you should start with “Shamanism: Archaic Techniques of Ecstasy” I think you need to widen your field of knowledge being that a flying ointment that was mention these has a recorded history which go back to the 15th century I am not sure why you have felt that this article is filled with 60’s hippy mentality and I personal have nearly 30 years studying pagan rites and ritual many of which pre date wicca and neo paganism as a witch I have studied herbs and their effects and their old time uses many of which are still and valid to day and I have rituals and rite which require the used of such herbs as belladonna and henbane which are drugs which can cause psychotropic effects please do not feel you have to respond until you have had time to do a bit more study or at least read the article fully brightest blessing draco
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I thought you were talking in relation to PAGAN use of Psychotropics and now you bring in the Oracle of Delphi which was not pagan, shamanism which again is not paganism(except in modern day mindsets) and “to the possibility of ergot being a source for the witchcraft trails” which is codswallop of course being that there is no evidence for this outside the norm. Ergot fungus is commonly found in archaeological evidence, as it was commonly found on grain before the use of fungicides which destroyed it. If you want to believe this means everybody was knowingly going out of the way to use ergot as a psychotropic then feel free to do so but it doesn’t make it FACT.
How about defining the word paganism as yours seems to include any belief outside of Christianity which is a long way from the ACTUAL meaning of Paganism in historical context.
My field of knowledge is the ritual use of herbs and incenses and I have a reputation world wide for my in depth knowledge of ancient pharmacopoeia and have been producing accurate representations of incense utilised over the last 5000 years by many civilisations and have done so for some of the leading museums and universities around the world, as well as leading occultists and “pagans” over the last 30 years.
I have lectured on the subject at the personal invitation of some of the leading universities around the world and have received an honorary degree in the subject from one of the leading universities in the UK for being acknowledged as being an expert in my field so where exactly would you like me to broaden my field?
If you want to include herbs in your argument that can or could create psychotropic effects rather than those that were actually used why haven’t you included Basil, Rosemary and other common kitchen herbs all of which contain psychotropic substances in one degree or another, rather than just the known poisons like Digitalis and Atropine?
Which flying ointment formula are you referring to, could you be more specific? As I do enjoy debunking most of what is written about as being modern invention.
Feel free to go away and study the subject for a while before answering, as I only have 30 years in depth study which is utilised on a day to day basis as part of my profession to fall back on which in your eyes is totally insufficient to give an opinion.
admin
First things first Paganism a definition :-
A definition of a Pagan: A follower of a polytheistic or pantheistic nature-worshipping religion.
A definition of Paganism: A polytheistic or pantheistic nature-worshipping religion.
As you will see by the definition of paganism that the oracle at Delphi and sharmanism fit in to this category….
I do not state that ergot was the source of the witch trial I stated it is claimed that it could have been a contributing factor to the hysteria this was first mentioned as a possibility by Linnda R. Caporael and then followed up by Mary Matossian.
As for the flying ointment the vision I am talking about is the one used by Dr Erich Peuhart, of the University of Gottingen, Germany as part of his experiment .
With your vast knowledge and an honorary degree in the subject from one of the leading universities in the UK for being acknowledged as being an expert in your field you should be aware of these studies.
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A definition of a Pagan: A follower of a polytheistic or pantheistic nature-worshipping religion.
A definition of Paganism: A polytheistic or pantheistic nature-worshipping religion.
No that’s a modern definition of a Pagan. If you are going to bring history into the argument then you need to use historical definitions of a Pagan which is something you haven’t done as it doesn’t suit your purpose. If there happened to still be an Oracle of Delphi then yes you could suggest this but as there isn’t then your inclusion is misleading.
I am aware of many studies and as far as I am aware there isn’t a single flying ointment formula from any source which is prior to late 19th Century care to explain this.
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So basically your definition of a Pagan is any religion on this planet not including some of modern Christianity, Islam or Judaism. You really know how to insult as many people and their belief systems in one sentence don’t you?
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The defintion of a pagan comes from the pagan federation
and as for source of flying ointments befor the 19th centry what about The Book of the Sacred Magic of Abremelin The Mage’, (1458), by Abraham the Jew, and ‘De Miraculis Rerum Naturalium’, (1560) by Giovanni Battista Porta.
The oxford dictionary defintion of a pagan is
pagan (pagan)
a person holding religious beliefs other than those of the main world religions dated, derogatorya non-Christiana member of a modern religious movement which seeks to incorporate beliefs or practices from outside the main world religions, especially nature worship
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I am yet to see a genuine witches flying ointment are you going to show me one? The quoted sources you mentioned are not WITCHES FLYING OINTMENT or are you now suggesting that Abraham the JEW is now a witch as well as pagan (his name sort of suggests his religion) or that John Baptist Porta who was a Christian (Catholic) and a scientist was also a witch and a pagan to suit your argument.
Have you read ‘De Miraculis Rerum Naturalium (Natural Magic 1558) because I have and it had nothing to do with witchcraft nor paganism and it was in fact a scientific treatise being that he was declared earlier this century as the father of Scientific Disciplines. My advice to you is to actually read something before quoting it to make you look big.
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So I provided you with the source material i also never claimed these books to be anything more the books. I just stated that these books contain flying ointments.
In Abraham’s book he claims to have received a potion from a witch when he rubs on hand and feet gaining the sensation of flight and Since you have read ‘De Miraculis Rerum Naturalium you would have read the section title ‘laiarum unguents’ which describe the recipe for a flying potion. And know i have not read the whole book just relating passages many years ago.
I am not attempting to be big i am responding to your comments politely please do the same
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”So i provided you with the source matrial i also never claimed these books to be anything more the books. I just stated that these books contain flying ointments.”
No they don’t, simple as…
Since when has a drink been something you rub on your skin? A potion you drink(use internally) an ointment you rub on your skin (use externally) what significance is your example when it is imprecise in use?
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“Firstly i am not suggesting anyone is a pagan or a witch i’m responded to your comment”
If you are not claiming your piece is not claiming anything to do with witchcraft and paganism then why use the title “Drugs and paganism-The stoned witch and wasted wizard | Cyber Cauldron
admin
Facebook you started off with some good point discussing a article which you have now tried to pick apart the article in to basic chunks that you can pick holes but you have move past the original article into a debate into flying ointments and where they where sourced from.
i know the differences between an ointment and a potion but I feel you might need to re-read the comments as you will see I have mentioned flying ointment and however much you don’t believe that these book contain flying ointments in reference to effects and the recipes used will not change the fact that they do.
The title of this article was never brought into question it is a pagan piece your trying to split hairs and for what ever reason I am not sure, the comment I responded to in regards to claiming pagan heritage was this (your comment.)
“The quoted sources you mentioned are not WITCHES FLYING OINTMENT or are you now suggesting that Abraham the JEW is now a witch as well as pagan (his name sort of suggests his religion) or that John Baptist Porta who was a Christian (Catholic) and a scientist was also a witch and a pagan to suit your argument.”
To which I responded “Firstly i am not suggesting anyone is a pagan or a witch i’m responded to your comment”
You seem desperate to prove yourself right with this, taking things out of context and twisting to suit your need or with the attempt to make me look foolish or un educated even to the point of blaming me for the dictionary definition of pagan: (your comment)
“So basically your definition of a Pagan is any religion on this planet not including some of modern Christianity, Islam or Judaism.”
I am very happy to respond to any of your comments but if you feel that you have more knowledge and insight on the subject write some I will put it on cyber cauldron that way we can then critique your knowledge and your insights on the subject
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“i know the differences between an ointment and a potion but I feel you might need to re-read the comments as you will see I have mentioned flying ointment and however much you don’t believe that these book contain flying ointments in reference to effects and the recipes used will not change the fact that they do..”
Sorry but they don’t, you have stated already that you haven’t actually read these books whereas I have and yet to persist to make claims in regards to their contents. Wouldn’t it be a good idea to actually read the books in their entirety rather than the odd snippet before making claims in regards to their contents.
“You seem desperate to prove yourself right with this, taking things out of context and twisting to suit your need or with the attempt to make me look foolish or un educated even to the point of blaming me for the dictionary definition of pagan: (your comment)”
I am right in this I have don’t need to twist anything to make my point I have researched thoroughly this particular subject whereas you have made wild claims without any factual evidence to back up your claims with the exception that you have read a book by Carlos Casteneda. You state that you are not making reference to any particular path and yet we find your own paper quote in the title alone Paganism, Witches and Wizards and in the text ancient pagans, etc but yet you persist in denying what you yourself have written.
“You seem desperate to prove yourself right with this, taking things out of context and twisting to suit your need or with the attempt to make me look foolish or un educated even to the point of blaming me for the dictionary definition of pagan: (your comment)”
No your doing quite well without any input fro me. Actually the definition you gave was from the Pagan Federation it was only later you chose to use the reworked (modern) Oxford dictionary definition of Pagan which is still invalid when talking in relation to ancient civilisations. The vapours by the way which was quoted in context to the Oracle of Delphi was sulphides from the volcanic fissure beneath the temple and had nothing to do with psychotropic herbs, rather it was poisoning from the sulphur released in the gas so to make claim as to it’s authenticity within your paper is incorrect.
“I am very happy to respond to any of your comments but if you feel that you have more knowledge and insight on the subject write some I will put it on cyber cauldron that way we can then critique your knowledge and your insights on the subject”
Your not happy at all to response to any of my comments using solid researched evidence just here-say hoping your reader is uneducated and does not know the facts and fancies of the subject matter. I will happily write a paper for your board just email me what you are looking for and I with give you a quote for my time and an estimate of the time I will need (usually 3 months, as my time is limited due to other projects).
admin
1 Sorry but they don’t, you have stated already that you haven’t actually read these books whereas I have and yet to persist to make claims in regards to their contents. Wouldn’t it be a good idea to actually read the books in their entirety rather than the odd snippet before making claims in regards to their contents.
(RESPONSE) Just search google for laiarum unguents’ that will solve the issues of who is correct or not regarding content from book and if your right a lot of people have got it wrong.
2 I am right in this I have don’t need to twist anything to make my point I have researched thoroughly this particular subject whereas you have made wild claims without any factual evidence to back up your claims with the exception that you have read a book by Carlos Casteneda
(RESPONSE) Please see resonce to 1 and again there is no need to be rude!!
3 You state that you are not making reference to any particular path and yet we find your own paper quote in the title alone Paganism, Witches and Wizards and in the text ancient pagans, etc but yet you persist in denying what you yourself have written.
(RESPONSE) Your right I am not refering to any pagan path I am not talking about a particular path the title is the title it mentions a stoned witch and a wasted wizard but they are not mentioned in the text.The article is about mind altering substancies in pagan history sorry the title has caused you such distress.
4 Actually the definition you gave was from the Pagan Federation it was only later you chose to use the reworked (modern) Oxford dictionary definition of Pagan which is still invalid when talking in relation to ancient civilisations.
(RESPONSE) I must be confused you asked me for a defintion of what pagan was so I told you if there is another meaning (apart from country dweller or dictonary defintion) please we are all waiting to be enlightend.
5 The vapours by the way which was quoted in context to the Oracle of Delphi was sulphides from the volcanic fissure beneath the temple and had nothing to do with psychotropic herbs, rather it was poisoning from the sulphur released in the gas so to make claim as to it’s authenticity within your paper is incorrect.
(Direct quote from text) The oracle of Delphi who was one of the most famous and accurate Oracles is claimed to of gained her insights from hallucinogenic vapours, which emanated from the 2 faults under the temple. There is academical evidence to support the fact that the Oracle was tripping comes from a reported in Geology magazine, which reveals that two faults intersect directly below the Delphic temple and the study also found evidence of hallucinogenic gases rising from a nearby spring and preserved within the temple rock.
(RESPONSE) Where do I mention psychotropic herbs In relation to the oracle???
6 Your not happy at all to response to any of my comments using solid researched evidence just here-say hoping your reader is uneducated and does not know the facts and fancies of the subject matter.
(RESPONSE) As you can see I am not unhappy to respond to your comment and have done so reponding to each point that you make clearly and consistenly and again please do not be rude about the educational levels of the reads of this page or the site.
7 I will happily write a paper for your board just email me what you are looking for and I with give you a quote for my time and an estimate of the time I will need (usually 3 months, as my time is limited due to other projects).
(RESPONSE) I will drop you an email re this but was hoping that you have done so many lectures you might has some free to hand that you could just of put up
Although I am enjoying this dicussion I must ask you to remain polite and not insult any member of this site you are free to express your own views whether they are constructive or de-constructive to the subject matter I welcome that .
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