Showing posts with label magic. Show all posts
Showing posts with label magic. Show all posts

Monday, November 4, 2013

How to Grow an All-Purpose Herb, 1586

"To make an hearb to growe which shall have many savours and tastes. And to doo this: firste take one seede of the Lettice, one seede of Endive, one of Smallage, one of the Bassill, one of the Leeke, & of the parslie, al these put togither in a hole in such sort, that one seede may touch an other: but this remember that you plant these together in the dung of an Horsse or an Oxe without any earthe at all with them. And then after of these seedes shall growe up one proper hearbe, which will have so many savours and tastes, as there were seedes sowne together." 
A Briefe and Pleasaunt Treatise, Intituled: Naturall and Artificiall Conclusions (1586)
With the power of manure, you can grow one herb to rule them all.


Wednesday, June 5, 2013

How to See the Future, c. 1450

"Dear Past, What will the future be like? Regards, The Present"

BL Royal 6 E IX, f. 24 (s. XIV)

Perhaps this divination method will help: 

"'Bismille araathe mem lismissa [etc.]' When he has recited this conjuration, the master should look in the mirror, and he will see an armed knight seated on a horse, and his squire accompanying him. The knight will dismount from the horse... and then the master may ask him about past, present, and future things, and he will at once give full response in writing."

          Anonymous Necromancer's Manual (15th century)


A clairvoyant knight in shining armor who specializes in essay questions? Sign me up.