The witches Sabbath by Luis Ricardo Falero (1880). Wikimedia Commons. Public Domain. The familiar image of a witch flying through the air on her broomstick is deeply ingrained in the Western mind. However, other tools - many now largely forgotten - were also believed to be used for transvection or spirit travel. Although most historical and literary depictions of witches flying suggest they do so ‘in spirit’ or ‘in dreams’, there was some confusion in the Middle Ages as to whether or not a witch could travel bodily through the air as well. Thus, we have some clerics and demonologists who believed in the transvection, or physical flight, of the witch (with the Devil’s help, of course). This article will briefly examine some of the more common tools and methods used to engage in witches’ flight.
Flying Ointments
Flying ointments typically refer to fat-based salves containing a mixture of psychotropic substances, applied by witches to their skin or mucous membranes and producing euphoric, soporific and trance-like effects. The ointment produced hallucinations, sensations of flying, or it basically put the user to sleep, and thereby allowed the witch to travel in the form of her Double to the Sabbat, or engage in other activities, such as shapeshifting. Ointments were also believed to be used by werewolves and others to induce metamorphosis.
Flying Ointments
Flying ointments typically refer to fat-based salves containing a mixture of psychotropic substances, applied by witches to their skin or mucous membranes and producing euphoric, soporific and trance-like effects. The ointment produced hallucinations, sensations of flying, or it basically put the user to sleep, and thereby allowed the witch to travel in the form of her Double to the Sabbat, or engage in other activities, such as shapeshifting. Ointments were also believed to be used by werewolves and others to induce metamorphosis.
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