T. Hatsis. Witchcraft Ointments: The Secret History of Psychedelic Magic (Paperback)

Thomas Hatsis is a writer, educator, and historian with a Master’s degree in Historical Sciences from Queen’s College, and the owner of the website arspsychedelic.com. He has presented his research findings at several universities in the United States, including Yale, and has published articles in the psychedelic journal “Psypress U.K.”

In this unique book, the origins of “witchcraft ointment” and medieval methods of using hallucinogenic concoctions over the centuries are explored.

In the Middle Ages, substances containing hallucinogenic herbs were part of the magic of poisons. This branch of magical craft employed poisons, mushrooms, herbs, and rituals to enchant, heal, prophesy, infect, and kill. In the form of psychomagical ointments, the magic of poisons could induce intense hallucinations and surreal dreams that allowed direct contact with the Divine.

By examining court records and pharmacopoeias of witches, alchemists, folk healers, and heretics from the 15th century, Thomas Hatsis details how the classic stereotype of the “witch” was formed and explains the origin of the term “witchcraft ointment.” He provides dozens of formulas and recipes with psychoactive ingredients found in rare manuscripts from university collections around the world, as well as detailed accounts of the practical techniques and magical spells used in their preparation. The author explores the connection between witchcraft ointments and charms that allowed for shape-shifting, spirit journeys, and love spells. He examines the practices of some Renaissance magicians who used powerful drugs to communicate with spirits.

Through the lens of the little-known history of witchcraft ointments and the use of hallucinogens in the Middle Ages, Hatsis illustrates how, under the influence of the Church, the popular use of narcotic (especially entheogenic) concoctions gradually transformed into the machinations of Satan…

This book is intended for a wide audience.