Philtres by takhisis

[Dept of PMM Artists & things]

Philtre, a potion that causes one to fall in love with
another person, also called love potions, have been
thought to be magical and used since antiquity. They
were popular in the Middle Ages, but lost favor to
charms and spells in the 17th and 18th centuries.
Philtres are still produced in some folk-magic
traditions, but not in neo-Paganism.

Traditionally the philtre generally consisted of wine,
tea, or water containing herbs or drugs. When made by
a wise woman, or man, it was more potent. The giver
gave it to the person that she or he loved, after
drinking it, the recipient fall in love with the one
giving the drink to him.

Of necessity, care had to be taken to assure the
remedy was administered properly. In the tale of
Tristan and Isolde, Isolde's mother obtained a
philtre that was to make her unwilling daughter fall
in love with her betrothed King Mark of Cornwall.
Thinking it to be poison, Isolde shared it with
Tristan, the king's knight escorting her to Cornwall.
They fell irrevocably in love, which proved fatal for
both of them. There is at least one tale of a philtre
that produced insanity instead of love.

According to the Roman biographer Suetonius (69-140
AD), the Emperor Galigula (12-41 AD) was mad after
drinking a love philtre administered by his wife,
Caesonia.

The ingredients varied from country to country. The
most common, throughout history, was the mandrake
root, also known as "love apples," a poisonous
member of the nightshade family. Orange and ambergris
added a little flavor and pleasant aroma. Vervan, an
herb, was commonly used and still is up to the
present. Other common ingredients include the hearts
and reproductive organs of animals, such as the
testicles of kangaroos, used by the Australian
aborigines; and beaver testicles used by North
American Indians.

Philtres of India included betel nuts or tobacco. In
Nova Scotia a woman steep her hair in water that she
gave to her intended to drink. Herbs and plants were
common additives: briony (similar to mandrake) and
fern seeds in England, the latter of which must be
gathered on the eve of St. John's Day (see Sabbats).
The Chinese used shang-luh, a plant resembling
ginseng. In Germany, a red gum called dragon blood was
used. As can be seen a variety of recipes and
ingredients were used in different countries. The
hearts and other organs were ground up.

Philtres begain decreasing in popularity following the
Middle Ages because of their frequent unpleasant smell
and taste. Alternatives were sought; one was to rub
one's hand with vervain juice and then touch the man
or women whom one hoped to inspire with love.

In England using philtres was penalized at one time
under Anglo-Saxon law: for it was made punishable if
any should use witchcraft for another's love,
or should give him to eat or to drink with magick. This
prohibition also prohibited divining by the moon.
Chanute renewed these prohibitions.

In neo-Paganism, the use of such concoctions is frowned
on by many in witchcraft because such actions are
considered manipulating people, which is in opposition
of the Wiccan Rede. It is more preferable to make love
charms to enhance the love which already exists
between two people.

   

 

Sources:
Guiley, Rosemary Ellen, The Encyclopedia of Witches
and Witchcraft, New York: Facts On File, 1989, pp.
267-268 Spence, Lewis, An Encyclopedia of Occultism,
New York, Carol Publishing Group Edition, 1996, p. 143