twisted lies about witchcraft

[ephilution]

Boy, now that is something else... :biggrin:

Quote:[...] in a nutshell, is the working hypothesis of Michael J. Harner's "The Role of Hallucinogenic Plants in European Witchcraft" in Hallucinogens and Shamanism (1973). Harner notes that since antiquity many hallucinogenic plants have been known throughout the world, including some species of the potato family (family Solanaceae, genus Datura) such as jimsonweed, devil's-weed, mad apple, etc., as well as potato cousins like mandrake, henbane, and belladonna (deadly nightshade).

Trolling through the works of medieval and Renaissance writers, Harner finds a number of instances in which witchy hallucinations follow a potent hit of drugs. How were these drugs administered? Typically in the form of an ointment. Where was this ointment applied? To the skin, of course, but more effectively to the mucous membranes. Where can one find mucous membranes? In the vagina, among other places. How would one apply ointment to one's vagina? Well, one can always count on one's fingers, I suppose. But you could also use, uh, a pole. And where might one find a pole in the average peasant household? A broomstick. Bingo.

Harner buttresses his thesis with some choice quotes. From a witchcraft investigation in 1324: "In rifleing the closet of the ladie, they found a Pipe of oyntment, wherewith she greased a staffe, upon the which she ambled and galloped through thick and thin." Also this from around 1470: "But the vulgar believe, and the witches confess, that on certain days or nights they anoint a staff and ride on it to the appointed place or anoint themselves under the arms and in other hairy places."

http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a990903.html

Quote:While in folklore witches rode brooms, W.E. Peuckert, in the Dictionary of Sacred and Magical Plants, suggests that broomsticks were actually used by women as a lubricated applicator for hallucinogenic drugs that brought on a sensation of flying. "The broom became an applicator for the atropine-containing plant to the sensitive vaginal membranes as well as providing a suggestion of riding on a steed," he said.

[...]

Why apply drugs to the genitals? The vaginal mucous membranes are thin and closely located to blood vessels, creating a matchless site for the cream to be applied. Since the toxicity of these drugs is very high, using the broomstick as a lubricated dildo for utilizing drugs, became one of the safest ways to "fly."

Scopolamine, which in varied doses can cause strange hallucinations, including vivid dreams or even death, was rumoured to be able to cause witches to change shape.

French physician Nynauld indicated that "scopolamine is potentially fatal, and orally ingested can easily lead to overdose, due to the time taken to register its effects. When applied to a broomstick, and absorbed through the mucosa of the vagina, the effects of the drug are felt far sooner. When the witch became unconscious, the broomstick would be dropped, thus removing the source of the toxin and potential overdose."

The position of the broom and its alleged role as a genital stimulant, is perhaps a reflection on the notion of females, particularly witches, as insatiable sexual beings. The belief that women were unable to achieve sexual pleasure without men was common, and so "witches" were accued of lollygaging with the devil, in exchange for special powers, like for instance, the ability to fly. Nynauld and Peuckert, on the other hand, maintain that these "witches" were really getting off and getting high.

http://www.themanitoban.com/2001-2002/10...es_2.shtml

http://www.google.com/search?q=witches+b...ick+vagina

...but seemingly true nonetheless. :biggrin: