Deadly Nightshade Alchemical Extract

Deadly Nightshade (Atropa belladonna) Alchemical Extract

Prepared by Coby Michael for The Poisoner’s Apothecary 2022

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This information is for educational purposes only.  I am not a doctor, and this information is meant for academic purposes, not intended as medical advice, diagnosis or suggested treatment.  Using this information is done at your own risk and we are not responsible for the use or misuse of this information.

Atropa belladonna

Spagyric tincture-making is a type of alchemical operation, that creates an energetically powerful and spiritually alive end-result. The word spagyric comes from from Ancient Greek σπάω (spáō, “ I draw, pull ”) + ἀγείρω (ageírō, “ I assemble ”) which essentially means to separate a substance into its basic parts and re-combine them, solve et coagula.  By doing this we are enacting fundamental alchemical laws and processes, which transmute the plant substances that we are working with into something different.  We see the maxim, “solve et coagula” on the arms of Eliphas Levi’s Baphomet, illustrating this important concept. 

Eliphas Levi’s Baphomet

Spagyric tinctures are effective on both a physical, energetic and ethereal level.  They are known for being more medicinally effective at smaller dosages, and work synergistically because all the parts of the whole are maintained.  Here we are working to create the prima materia, or first matter by concentrating the salt, sulfur and mercury of the plant material.  These concepts represent physical processes and characteristics, but also have a spiritual correlation.  Through the transmutation and exaltation of the formula, the alchemist also transmutes themselves. 

The alcohol or menstruum used to make the tincture, represents mercury, the transmutational force.  The sulfur comes from the volatile oils, alkaloids and other components extracted from the marc (plant material).  The caput mortem (dead head) of the extract is the plant material after it has been extracted, this represents the salt (the fixed quality). 

Left: burning the marc

A simplified version of the process is thus, preparing an alcohol extract of the plant material.  Separating the menstruum from the caput mortem, and calcinating (charring) the remaining plant material to ash.  Typically, the ash is calcined until it is a whitish-grey color. The ash (which is the salt) is added back to the mercury (alcohol) and sulfur (extracted constituents) which brings all of the components back together after they have been transmuted.  This is allowed to tincture and is strained.   The remaining lump of material is known as the vegetable stone, a kind of philosopher’s stone of plant alchemy, which can be reserved and used for various alchemical and magical purposes.

The vegetable stone

Deadly nightshade (Atropa belladonna) is a poisonous plant.  It is capable of causing death, but we seek to work with it to recover its medicinal applications, and also to work with this important plant on a spiritual level.  Many of the members of the nightshade family are too dangerous for oral ingestion because of their low-dose potency.  It is only recommended to work with this plant under the guidance of a trained herbalist.  This is NOT to say that plants in the nightshade family have not been used internally because they absolutely have been.  We just have to be very careful about how we do it! 

I wanted to create this formula to offer something that is safe, effective and easy to explore as far as dosing.  By creating a spagyric, observing the alchemical processes and utilizing lunar timing; we are able to enhance, or bring out the spiritual, magical and occult properties of any plant.  Spagyric tinctures are made at a therapeutic dose, meaning they have all the medicinal actions attributed to their phyto-chemistry.  They are intended for entheogenic exploration, plant spirit gnosis and spiritual/emotional healing.  (I am not a doctor.  This information is intended for educational purposes only, and is not meant as medical advice, to offer treatment or prescribe medication)

Primum Ens Melissa

Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) was one of the most important alchemical herbs.  It was taken as a tonic to vitalize the body and spirit, bringing healing on all levels.  I also created a lemon balm tincture which was added separately after completing the process at 50:50 This brings the concentration of the Atropa belladonna tincture to 1:20 Lemon balm is one of the most healing and supportive of the tonic herbs.  It truly is a balm. In contrast to the baneful qualities of the herb belladonna, lemon balm balances some of Atropa’s harsher qualities.  By combining balm and bane, we achieve a powerful synergistic formula.

The formula can be taken for micro-dosing purposes, in a ritual setting with a clear intention in mind.  The amount of formula and manner of which this is approached is at your own discretion.  We recommend finding your own appropriate dose by starting with 1-3 drops taken in a small glass of water or under the tongue.  (These can also be applied topically like you would a flying ointment with the same precautions) If you begin to notice dryness in the throat, this is a sign that it is working.  Don’t take anymore and see how you feel. 

Deadly Nightshade’s Occult Botany

·        A quintessential witching herb, Atropa belladonna helps us to connect with the archetypal forces and spirits associated with witchcraft

·        Sacred to Hekate, the Devil, the Norns/Fates

·        Antinomianism – breaking societal constructs

·        Connecting with the dark feminine: Lilith, Kali, Morrigan, Valkyries, Hel, the Furies and all “monstrous feminine forms” to reclaim power and to destroy the patriarchy

·        Luciferian gnosis – serpent and tree of knowledge

·        Cutting cords- unhealthy attachments to things/people drawing our energy, including negative behavior patterns, addiction and other psycho-spiritual issues

·        Connecting with the dead

·        Working with Atropa belladonna as a plant spirit familiar for meditation and spellwork

·        Spirit Flight- with its entheogenic properties, and association with the Witches’ Sabbath and use in medieval flying ointments, belladonna is a powerful ally for spirit travel

·        Nightshades are proficient allies for divination, specifically scrying, dream divination and spirit communication

·        They are believed to decalcify and stimulate the pineal gland, activating the third eye for initiatory psychic workings

·        An herb of personal power, belladonna is not submissive and teaches us that we are sovereign

Lemon Balm’s Occult Botany

·        An important herb in alchemy and folk magic, lemon balm has so many magical associations that it can be considered a magical catalyst

·        This is a plant that brings all of the other ingredients of a formula together, enhancing their effectiveness and bringing harmony

·        Lemon Balm is used to make the Ens Mellisa an important and foundational formula of alchemical practice

·        Lemon Balm is a healing herb with many soothing and tonifying properties, it is non-toxic

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