First recorded in medieval Europe, the ointment is deeply entwined with tales of the witches' sabbat, where practitioners were said to anoint themselves before soaring through the night sky, crossing vast distances in a heartbeat, slipping between worlds like the mist that clings to the earth at twilight. But these were not journeys of the body; they were flights of the soul, astral voyages undertaken in deep trance states induced by the potent botanicals within the salve. The infamous inquisitor Johannes Nider wrote of such unguents in Formicarius (1435), as did the demonologist Nicholas Rรฉmy in Demonolatry (1595). The works of Andrรฉs Laguna (1555) and Giambattista della Porta (1589) contain formulas using henbane, belladonna, and mandrake—herbs known for their ability to summon visions, break the boundaries of consciousness, and send the spirit hurtling beyond the mundane.
This ointment was never merely for flight. It was a conduit for deep Shadow Work, allowing witches to slip into the Underworld, commune with spirits, walk with ancestors, and unearth the hidden corners of the self. It was applied during rites of necromancy, divination, communion with the dead, and to move between the waking world and the realm of the unseen.
To use such an unguent is not for the unprepared. The herbs contained within can be both sacred and deadly. The old ways must be approached with knowledge, reverence, and caution.
Traditional Shadow Witch’s Flying Ointment Recipe.
[Experienced Practitioners Only!!!]
This is a historically rooted formula that echoes the recipes of the past, using a base of animal fat, which was the traditional carrier for such potions. The fat acts as a binding agent, ensuring the active compounds are absorbed through the skin, bypassing the liver and reducing toxicity while still inducing profound effects.
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2 oz (56 g) rendered animal fat (goose, duck, or lard; ethically sourced from butchers, or rendered from fat trimmings of pastured animals)
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1/4 tsp dried belladonna leaves (Atropa belladonna)
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1/8 tsp dried henbane leaves (Hyoscyamus niger)
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1/8 tsp dried mandrake root (Mandragora officinarum)
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1/4 tsp dried datura flowers (Datura stramonium or Datura inoxia)
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1/2 tsp mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris)
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1/2 tsp poplar buds or willow bark (for their dream-enhancing properties)
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3 drops essential oil of myrrh (for grounding and protection)
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3 drops essential oil of cinnamon (to stimulate circulation and heighten trance states)
Instructions
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Rendering the Fat – If rendering from scratch, place trimmed animal fat in a slow cooker or double boiler on low heat until it fully liquefies. Strain through cheesecloth and allow it to solidify. If using pre-rendered lard or duck fat, gently warm it until liquid.
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Infusion – Place the herbs in a heatproof jar and pour the warmed fat over them. Let the mixture steep in a warm place for 4-6 hours, using the lowest heat possible. Stir occasionally.
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Straining and Finishing – Strain out the plant material using fine cheesecloth or muslin. Add essential oils and stir while the ointment is still liquid. Pour into a small glass jar and allow to cool.
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Storage – Keep in a dark, cool place. Stored properly, it will last 6-12 months. Adding a small amount of beeswax can extend shelf life.
Usage and Caution
Apply half of a pea-sized amount to the inner wrists, temples, or soles of the feet before ritual. Effects can take 20-40 minutes to manifest. This ointment can induce deep trance states, out-of-body experiences, vivid visions, and intense spirit contact. Use with a guide or protective sigils. Always test a minuscule amount first to gauge personal tolerance. Never ingest.
Contraindications – Avoid if pregnant, nursing, or with any heart conditions. Do not mix with alcohol or other substances. If you experience distressing effects, counteract with lemon balm tea and grounding foods like bread and honey.
Modern Safer Shadow Witch’s Flying Ointment.
For those who wish to experience the effects of an ointment without the toxicity of tropane alkaloids, a modern adaptation using safer yet still potent herbs is ideal.
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2 oz coconut oil or shea butter (vegan alternative)
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1 tsp mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris)
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1 tsp blue lotus (Nymphaea caerulea)
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1 tsp damiana (Turnera diffusa)
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1/2 tsp skullcap (Scutellaria lateriflora)
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1/2 tsp valerian root (Valeriana officinalis)
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5 drops clary sage essential oil
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3 drops sandalwood essential oil
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1 tsp beeswax (optional, for a firmer consistency)
Follow the same process as the traditional ointment, allowing the herbs to steep in the warmed oil before straining and cooling. This ointment is gentler, inducing relaxation, vivid dreams, and a state of deep meditative trance. It is excellent for lucid dreaming, divination, and light Shadow Work, without the dangers of traditional flying ointments.
The Veil Piercer – A Traditional Hallucinogenic Flying Ointment.
[Experienced Practitioners Only!!!]
This recipe follows ancient formulations with animal fat as the base and potent entheogenic plants for deep trance work, astral travel, and spirit communion. It should only be made and used by experienced practitioners who fully understand the properties and risks of these plants.
The Dream Walker – Safer Modern Flying Ointment for Lucid Dreams & Spirit Travel.
This alternative blend contains safer herbal allies that enhance dream work, deepen meditation, and facilitate spirit communication without the risks of nightshade alkaloids.
The Death Shroud – A Necromantic Flying Ointment for Ancestral Work & Spirit Contact.
[Experienced Practitioners Only!!!]
Designed for those who work with spirits, this ointment thins the veil and helps with necromantic rites, graveyard work, and communicating with the deceased.
The Hollow Veil – A Baneful Shadow Witch’s Ointment for Shapeshifting & Hedge-Riding.
[Experienced Practitioners Only!!!]
For experienced practitioners of deep Shadow Work, this ointment bridges the worlds of human and beast, allowing for shapeshifting experiences, vision quests, and hedge-riding.
Storage & Shelf Life of Flying Ointments.
Ointments stored in dark, airtight glass containers can last 6-12 months. Refrigeration can extend their shelf life, especially if they contain animal fat. Adding beeswax can help stabilize the consistency and prevent spoilage.
Flying ointments are sacred tools, not casual experiments. They are vessels of transformation, unlocking doors between worlds, guiding the witch into the unseen. They should be made with care, knowledge, and absolute respect. Whether used for astral travel, necromancy, spirit communion, or deep personal transformation, they serve as a powerful bridge between the mundane and the mystical.
Other Uses for the Ointment
Beyond astral flight, these ointments can be used for:
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Spirit Communication – Apply before sรฉances or ancestral rites to open the third eye.
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Dream Work – Use before bed to encourage prophetic or lucid dreams.
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Ritual Death and Rebirth – Anoint before initiatory rites to mark the shedding of the old self.
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Shadow Work – Apply before deep meditation or mirror gazing to bring buried aspects of the psyche to light.
Final Warnings and Precautions.
The ingredients in traditional flying ointments can be profoundly dangerous if misused. Always use precise measurements. If sourcing traditional herbs, ensure they are from reputable suppliers. Misidentification or improper handling of plants like belladonna and datura can be fatal. If you are uncertain or inexperienced, use the modern adaptation instead.
Ethically sourcing animal fat is also vital. If you do not wish to use animal products, coconut oil or shea butter can be substituted, though the absorption rate will differ slightly. Properly stored, ointments will last up to a year, though their potency will gradually decrease over time.
The path of the Shadow Witch is not one of recklessness, but of deep wisdom, transformation, and respect for the forces at play. Flying ointments are sacred, meant to guide the witch beyond the veil, not as a means for reckless escape, but as a lantern to illuminate the dark corners of existence. Those who walk this path must do so with knowledge, intention, and reverence for both the seen and the unseen.
Notice: Experienced Practitioners Only
The contents of this text, particularly the formulations and rituals involving potent botanicals, are intended strictly for experienced practitioners with a deep understanding of herbal alchemy, spirit work, and trance states.
[Experienced Practitioners Only!!!]
These practices are not to be taken lightly. The herbs, techniques, and rituals discussed herein require extensive knowledge, caution, and respect. Misuse, incorrect dosages, or reckless experimentation can lead to serious consequences, including physical harm, psychological distress, or spiritual imbalance.
No responsibility is taken for those who fail to heed these warnings. If you choose to engage with these practices without proper experience or preparation, you do so at your own risk.
This knowledge is shared for the preservation of tradition and advanced study, not for casual use. Approach with wisdom, responsibility, and reverence.
Myths & Facts About Flying Ointments.
Throughout history, flying ointments have been shrouded in mystery, fear, and fascination. The very name evokes images of witches soaring through the night, communing with spirits, and stepping between worlds. Yet, many misconceptions persist about their ingredients, effects, and historical use. Here, we dispel the myths and unveil the truth behind these legendary brews.
One of the most infamous mentions comes from Grimorium Verum (an 18th-century grimoire) and the writings of Johann Weyer (1515–1588), who documented witches supposedly rendering human fat for their salves. However, these were accounts from persecutors, not practitioners.
That said, it cannot be dismissed that some individuals—particularly in times of extreme darkness—may have experimented with human fat. In a more historically verifiable context, executioners in the 16th and 17th centuries sometimes sold the fat of the hanged as a cure-all for various ailments, a practice more rooted in folk medicine than witchcraft.
In reality, traditional flying ointments primarily used animal fats (such as goose, duck, pig, or bear) due to their stability and availability. Modern ethical witches use plant-based alternatives like shea butter, coconut oil, or beeswax.
Historically, witches may have entered deep trance states, experiencing visions of flying to sabbats, shapeshifting, or riding the wind on their broomsticks (a metaphor for astral travel). The imagery of witches flying through the night likely stems from these vivid and profound hallucinations rather than actual physical flight.
However, overuse or ingestion of certain ingredients (belladonna, henbane, datura, mandrake) can result in:
This is why many modern witches prefer safer alternatives, such as mugwort, blue lotus, damiana, and valerian root, which provide mild trance effects without the risks of nightshade poisoning.
Some witches may have passed recipes down orally, ensuring secrecy and adaptation based on available herbs.
The concept of anointing the body with sacred herbs to enter altered states predates the European witch trials and can be found in traditions from the Druids, Siberian shamans, South American curanderos, and Hellenic mystery cults.
The myths surrounding these ointments have persisted for centuries, shaped by fear, persecution, and exaggeration. Yet, the truth is even more compelling—a blend of alchemy, botany, and spirit work, passed down through whispers in the dark.
Today, witches and practitioners of Shadow Work continue this legacy, with greater knowledge, ethical sourcing, and an understanding of safety. Whether using traditional ingredients or modern alternatives, flying ointments remain one of the most powerful gateways between worlds—if one dares to cross the threshold.
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