MacBeth and what was in the Witches Brew
Eye of Newt, and toe of frog,
Wool of bat, and tongue of dog,
Adder’s fork, and blind-worm’s sting
Lizard’s leg and howlet’s wing
Pretty gruesome stuff, but likely just herbs by other names….names designed to gross out the masses, to stop them from practicing magic. Here are some translations:
Eye of Newt Mustard Seed
Toe of Frog Buttercup
Wool of Bat Holly Leaves
Tongue of Dog Houndstongue
Adders Fork Adders tongue
Lizard Leg Ivy
A Hawk’s Heart: Wormwood
Ass’s Foot or Bull’s Foot: Coltsfoot
Bear’s Foot: Lady’s Mantle
Calf’s Snout: Snapdragon
Graveyard Dust: Mullein
Sparrow’s Tongue: Knotweed
Source(s):
Hans Dieter Betz (ed.), The Greek Magical Papyri in Translation including the Demotic Spells, Univ. Chicago Press, 1986
