Those Goddamn ointments: Four histories
Journal of Psychedelic Studies June 1, 2019 Tom Hatsis
Early modern "flying ointments"—psychoactive unguents associated with witchcraft lore—have been understood in at least four distinct ways across history. One view, popularized by anthropologist Michael Harner, treats them as shamanic tools. A second, originating 600 years ago, reflects a theological misreading that fueled witch-hunts. A third, historically grounded tradition describes actual transvection ointments containing tropane alkaloids (henbane, mandrake, belladonna) that could induce sensations of flight. A fourth, skeptical interpretation dismisses them as literary inventions born of religious fear. Careful review of primary and secondary sources indicates that only the transvection ointment has a factual historical basis.