There were, however, some nasty side effects to these hallucinogens. ( Public domain ) But, Where Does the Witches Broomstick Come in?

Johann Weyer, a Dutch physician and occultist named all these as ingredients in witches “flying ointment” in his 1563 work Praestigiis Daemonum.Ī witch mixing her cauldron by David Teniers the Younger. This included henbane, mandrake, deadly nightshade and jimsonweed. Unsurprisingly, many people liked this effect and began experimenting with it, as well as with other plants which produced similar results. Bodies Left Behind - A Cruel History of Persecution, Shamanic Ecstasies & the True Witches SabbathĮrgot has hallucinogenic properties, giving those who consumed it an LSD-like high.The Long History of Witchcraft Persecution.As result many people unknowingly consumed ergot, thinking it was part of the plant. At the time, bread was made primarily from rye which was commonly infected with a disease known as ergot, caused by the fungus Claviceps purpurea. Source: Public domainĭuring the period witch hunts surged in popularity in Europe, people’s diets included large amounts of bread. Preparation for the Witches' Sabbath by David Teniers the Younger. You see, the use of powerful hallucinogens was very popular around this time, and this is intimately related to the reason for why witches were portrayed flying on brooms. While the image of a witch flying on a broom may be the most common depiction, the image of a witch standing over a bubbling cauldron as she prepares a potion is also iconic. Ever wondered why witches have been depicted riding broomsticks throughout history? Well, the reason is a shocker! Witches, Bubbling Cauldrons and Hallucinogens What comes to mind when you think of a witch? For most people, the first image that comes to mind is of a witch flying through the night sky on a broomstick.

Witch riding broom carton