In Medieval Europe it became a widespread common belief that Witches could fly. Many people believed that the source of this ability was flying ointment.
Such documents as the Canon Episcopi (c. 900 CE), The Book of Sacred Magic of Abra-Melin, the Mage (1458), Flagellum Maleficorum by Petrus Mamor (1460), Malleus Maleficarum by Heinrich Kramer and Jakob Sprenger (1486), the engraving De Lamiis by Ulrich Molitor (1489), Magia Naturalis by Giambattista della Porta (1558), Discoverie of Witchcraft by Reginald Scot (1584), Disquisitionum Magicarum Libri Sex by Martin Anton Delrio (1599), Sylva Sylvarum by Francis Bacon (1608), records of the trial of the Somerset Witches (1664) all talk about Witch’s flying ointment. Some of these are clearly Christian propagaanda, with claims of such ingredients as “the fat of children digged out of their graves”.
The Gardnerian Book of Shadows includes multiple recies for flying ointments, derived from older works. The traditional English flying ointment includes: 100 grams lard, 5 grams hashish (“first quality”), handful hemp flower, handful poppy flower, pinch powdered hellbore root, and pinch ground sunflower seed. Another European recipe calls for 3 grams annamthol, 50 grams extract of opium, 30 grams extract of betel, 6 grams cinquefoul, 15 grams henbane, 15 grams belladonna, 15 grams ordinary hemlock, 250 grams indian hemp (cannabis indica), 5 grams cantharides, gum tragacanth, powdered sugar, and any oil (olive oil recommended) or creme (lanoline recmmended).
Note that flying ointment was to be applied externally only and that taking even small amounts internally will result in certain death. Belladonna, hemlock, and henbane are all deadly poisons.
Traditionally, European Witches used flying ointment prior to attending Esbats (New Moon and Full Moon) and Sabbats (the eight holy days marking the wheel of the solar year, including the equinoxes and the solstices).
In modern times, many (but not all) Witches smoke cannabis or hashish in preparation for Esbats and Sabbats.
