Black magic production refers to the act of creating and performing rituals or practices that are intended to harm others or manipulate the natural order of things. It is often associated with dark and negative intentions. There are various methods and techniques used in black magic production, with each culture or tradition having its own unique practices. These practices may involve the use of specific objects, ingredients, spells, or incantations to harness supernatural powers and forces. Black magic production is believed to tap into energies and entities that are malicious or malevolent in nature. It is often used to cause harm, instill fear, or gain power over others.
We may never know for sure how the myth of the flying broomstick arose. But the pharmacological actions of scopolamine and atropine, extracted from local herbs, might well be at the heart of this iconic image. If so, the flight to the Sabbat would have been a delirious, drug-induced hallucination – a dream of the deadly nightshade, given contemporary, corporeal form in our ghoulish Halloween costumes.
Even among those few who did confess to witchcraft, there s not much evidence that they made potions for flight, or for other nefarious purposes, he says. If contemporary accounts are to be believed, witches applied this hallucinogenic ointment with the handle of a broom, smearing the ointment onto the length of the broom and then rubbing the handle against their genitals and even inserting it into the vagina.
It is often used to cause harm, instill fear, or gain power over others. Some common objectives of black magic production include revenge, love spells, curses, or hexes. The rituals and spells involved in black magic production are believed to tap into the unseen world of spirits, demons, and other supernatural beings.
Halloween witch: is a travel sickness drug behind flying broomstick myth?
At Halloween, images of witches flying across the night sky astride broomsticks are everywhere. The myth that witches could fly with the help of their broomsticks has been around for centuries, but could its origins be traced to a chemical in over-the-counter medicines found in most of our homes?
In the heyday of witch-hunting hysteria, talk of a mysterious "flying ointment" began to gather momentum among those investigating witchcraft. This herbal unguent, rubbed into the skin, was purported to confer the power of flight, transporting witches to their Sabbat gatherings.
The Spanish court physician Andrés de Laguna, writing in the 16th century, claimed to have taken from the home of a couple accused of witchcraft "a pot full of a certain green ointment … composed of herbs such as hemlock, nightshade, henbane, and mandrake."
That would have been a potent mixture. Nightshade, henbane and mandrake are some of the most toxic plants in the family Solanaceae. Nightshade (Atropa belladonna) is immediately recognisable for its deep purple fruit and was said to be tended by the Devil himself. Like its close relatives henbane (Hyoscymaus niger) and mandrake (Mandragora officinarum), its leaves and berries are packed with chemicals called tropane alkaloids.
One of these, scopolamine (also known as hyoscine), is the active ingredient of travel-sickness medications such as Boot's Travel Calms and the skin patch Scopoderm. Tropane alkaloids are unremarkable additions to a modern medicine cabinet, but if you took the raw plant material and pounded it in molten fat, you'd extract an uncontrolled mixture of the alkaloids in their pure, base form. You will have created the green ointment of de Laguna's alleged witch.
Scopolamine and its close cousin atropine are "muscarinic antagonists" – they bind to receptors in the nervous system that would, ordinarily, bind to the neurotransmitter acetylcholine. Low doses of these chemicals will induce a dry mouth and dilated pupils – and relieve the nausea of travel sickness. But high doses can lead to antimuscarinic syndrome: a state of altered consciousness often characterised by delirium and intense hallucinations.
If contemporary accounts are to be believed, "witches" applied this hallucinogenic ointment with the handle of a broom, smearing the ointment onto the length of the broom and then rubbing the handle against their genitals and even inserting it into the vagina. As the drugs took effect, delusions of flight may have ensued while astride the broomstick's handle. It has been argued that this drug-induced delusion lies at the the root of the myth of witches' flight.
The pharmacology is sound. "Ointment would have been very effective as a delivery method for scopolamine," says Dr Randolph Arroo, head of research at Leicester School of Pharmacy, De Montfort University. "Alkaloids go through your skin into the bloodstream – consider nicotine patches." Tropane alkaloids easily cross the blood-brain barrier, acting on the central nervous system.
"Mucous membranes are particularly good at transporting drugs - that's why cocaine is snorted," he adds. "Vaginal application would be pretty efficient, and the effects of the drugs would be noticeable quite rapidly."
So the ointment may well have been capable of delivering powerful delusions of flight. But the image of hallucinating women astride brooms is so highly sexualised as to seem comic. Did some of those accused of witchcraft really apply flying ointment in this way?
Dr Andrew Sneddon, a historian at the University of Ulster, is sceptical. "Even among those few who did confess to witchcraft, there's not much evidence that they made potions for flight, or for other nefarious purposes," he says. Rather the opposite, in fact: "As far as I'm aware, the material culture of witchcraft, in terms of surviving artefacts, relates mainly to anti-bewitchment measures – amulets and such like – made by cunning folk."
Did the ointment even exist? It's hard to be sure. "Many writers of demonological tracts were convinced that witches flew with the aid of ointments. It's there in the Malleus Maleficarum [a 15th century treatise on the prosecution of witches], with witches using the fat of murdered children as the basic ingredient," says University of York historian Professor Jim Sharpe. Significantly, though, any such admission by a "witch" would have been made under torture.
According to Sharpe, twilight flight has been a remarkably persistent cultural reference, going back as far as the cult of the Roman goddess Diana. Moreover, Aztec shamans in 15th century Mexico used another tropane alkaloid-containing plant – Datura stramonium or thorn apple – to transport their souls on "a magical flight to mythic time and space", reports Bernard Ortiz de Montellano in Aztec Medicine, Health, and Nutrition.
We may never know for sure how the myth of the flying broomstick arose. But the pharmacological actions of scopolamine and atropine, extracted from local herbs, might well be at the heart of this iconic image. If so, the flight to the Sabbat would have been a delirious, drug-induced hallucination – a dream of the deadly nightshade, given contemporary, corporeal form in our ghoulish Halloween costumes.
That would have been a potent mixture. Nightshade, henbane and mandrake are some of the most toxic plants in the family Solanaceae. Nightshade (Atropa belladonna) is immediately recognisable for its deep purple fruit and was said to be tended by the Devil himself. Like its close relatives henbane (Hyoscymaus niger) and mandrake (Mandragora officinarum), its leaves and berries are packed with chemicals called tropane alkaloids.
Practitioners often invoke and communicate with these entities to carry out their desired intentions. This can involve making sacrifices, performing rituals at specific times or locations, or using specific objects or ingredients. While there are individuals who claim to have the ability to practice black magic for positive purposes, such as protection or healing, the majority of black magic production is associated with negative intentions. It is often seen as a means to gain power, control, or manipulate others. Black magic production has been present in various cultures and societies throughout history. It has often been shrouded in secrecy and surrounded by taboos and superstitions. Many cultures have sought to protect themselves from the harms of black magic through the use of amulets, talismans, or protective spells. However, it is important to note that black magic production is not universally accepted or believed in. Many view it as mere superstition or a result of psychological manipulation. Others may see it as a form of witchcraft or occult practices. Regardless of one's beliefs or opinions on black magic production, it remains a topic of fascination and intrigue for many. Whether seen as a form of forbidden knowledge or a dangerous practice, it continues to capture the imagination and curiosity of those interested in the mystical and supernatural realms..
Reviews for "Unlocking the power of black magic production"
1. Sarah - 2 stars:
I was really disappointed with "Black magic production". The acting was subpar and the plot was incredibly predictable. The characters were one-dimensional and lacked depth, making it difficult to connect with any of them. The special effects were also underwhelming and failed to create a sense of magic that was promised in the title. Overall, I found the production to be lackluster and it fell short of my expectations.
2. Mark - 1 star:
"Black magic production" was a complete waste of time for me. The story was confusing and poorly explained, leaving me feeling lost throughout the entire performance. The dialogue was weak and often cringe-worthy, making it hard to take any of the characters seriously. Additionally, the set design was lackluster and failed to capture the essence of magic. I wouldn't recommend this production to anyone looking for an engaging and well-executed theater experience.
3. Emily - 2 stars:
I was really excited to see "Black magic production" but unfortunately, it failed to impress me. The pacing of the play was off, with moments that dragged on and others that felt rushed. The story itself was convoluted and lacked a clear direction. The actors delivered their lines with little emotion, making it difficult to feel invested in their performances. I was disappointed by the overall execution and would not watch this production again.
4. Alex - 1 star:
"Black magic production" was a complete disaster. The acting was wooden and lacked any sort of charisma. The script was poorly written and filled with clichés. The production relied heavily on cheap tricks rather than showcasing any real magic. I found myself checking my watch throughout the performance, counting down the minutes until it would finally be over. Save your money and find another show to watch.
5. Jessica - 2 stars:
I had high hopes for "Black magic production" but unfortunately, it fell flat. The storyline was unoriginal and lacked any real depth. The performances were lackluster, with the actors failing to bring any life to their characters. The special effects were also underwhelming and failed to create a sense of wonder. Overall, I was disappointed by the lack of originality and felt like I wasted my time watching this production.