love_potions.pdf
TRANSCRIPT
0-681-41771-4
JULlAJONES and
KENNETH AMES
With Photography by DEREK HARHIS
$7·95
T he origins of love potions are shrouded in ancient mystery for they stem from a time
when man was in closer touch with nature. Their use was widespread and thei r i ngred ienrs many and varied. This book contains recipes which have been chosen to include inwetiiel1(s which are readily available, to recreate the potions of yesteryear.
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"Mix me a potion That my love shall partake
Once taken my love Will never forsake. "
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JULIA JONES and
KENNETH AMES
With Photography by DEREK HARRIS
LONGMEADOW
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CONTENTS
Number 1 AN EXHILARATING BLEND OF
S PIC E SAN D HER B S 112
Number 2 H 0 N E Y AND FLO W E R S 116
Number 3 RED WINE, SWEET SPICES AND
CAR NAT ION S /20
Number 4 A P P L E SAN D ] A S MIN E 124
Number 5 THE ROMANCE OF CHAMPAGNE
AND S T RAW B ERR I E S /28
Number 6 BRANDY, SHERRY AND
BORA G E / 32
Number 7 VANILLA AND JASMINE PER FUM ERE D WIN E /36
Number 8 FINE WINE AND
FLO W E R S /40
Number 9 A FLOWER-LACED
SUM MER CUP /44
Number 10 A WAR MIN G S PIC E D WIN E /48
Number 11 SHERRY SPIKED WITH
SA F FRO N 154 Number 12
A CO U N TRY R E C I P E /56
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The Valentine CItP The Spirit of Love Welcomes Y0lt a II
Amor Vincit Omnia! - Love Conq/lers All!
POTION: a medicine based on ingredients of a parricular characrer. From rhe Larin "porio" - a drink
or poisonous draughr.
love porions - rhe very words srir rhe imaginarion. Their origins are shrouded in an ancient mysrery, which srems from rhe rime when man
was in closer rouch wirh narure.
Their use was widespread and rheir ingredients many and varied. In rhis book we have chosen ro include rhose rhar are readily avai lab le ro recreare
rhe porions of rhe pase.
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A
Number 1
OF HERBS B LEN D AND SPICES
In med ieval times, the pretty b lue-flowered herb "borage" was used a "pep" pill to lift flagging spirits and to lighten the heart. Even its
name testifies to its powers. "Borrach" is a Celtic wotd for courage. It was said to induce a state of euphoria, which the drinker would attribute to the
company, rather than to the drink!
INGREDIENTS
100gl4oz toasted bread J50g16oz SlIgar
I sligar 11Imp saturated with orange-flower essence J 14 tsp nutmeg
J 14 tsp cinnamon J 14 tsp ginger
I litrel2 pints brown ale J 12 litrel l pint mead
10-12 borage flowers
METHOD
Put the toasted btead into a bowl, add the sugar and sugar lump saturated with orange-flower essence. Add nutmeg and mix in the ground cinnamon and ginger. Pour in btown ale and mead. St ir well and sprink le with flowers. Leave to
stand for one hour. Strain and serve.
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Parrake of rhis wirh rhe objecr of your desires, bur nor roo liberally! .
M ead has for cenruries been known as rhe honeymoon drink.
"But of all the lunar things that change The one that shows most fickle and strange
And takes the most eccentric range Is the moon - so ca//ed - of honey. "
TIIOMAS Ii00D
In former rimes , honeyed wines were raken as an aphrodisiac during rhe first month of matriage.
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"Ah. drink me up That I 1IIay be
Within your cup Like a mystery,
Like wine that is still In ecstasy.
Glimmering still In ecstasy
Commingled wines Of yOlt and me
In one fit/fil The mystery. "
D. H. LAWHENCl
·'The AI)J/er;"'
Number 2
HONEY AND FLOWERS
Pansies have always been associated with love. Their heart-shaped leaves were a sure sign to the lovelorn of the 17th century
that this flower could cure a broken heart. In earlier centuries, the Celts made a tea from dried
pansy leaves and used this as a love potion .
INGREDIENTS
2 tsp dried heCirtseCise 2-3 cloves
I tblspll clear honey I I" litrel ' h pil7t red wine
METIIOD
P lace lhe herbs and spices inco a warm jug and cover with a little boiling water. Allow co infuse (or 10 minutes. Strain and sweeten with 1 tablespoon o( clear honey. Add II , litre/ Ill pinr ted
wine and warm gently. Serve hot .
According to legend, pansies were once only white. However, one day Cupid, the Roman God of love, shot an arrow which happened to hit a nearby flower. From that day onwards the pansy changed its colour to purples and yellows, wounded by love and bearing its magical powers.
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((Yet mark'd I where the bolt 0/ Cupid /ell, It fell upon a little western flower,
Be/ore milk-white, now purple with love's wound,
And maidens call it Love-in-Idleness. Fetch me that flower - the herb I showed
thee once; The juice of it on sleeping eyelids laid
Will make a man or woman, madly dote Upon the next live creature that it sees. "
WILLIAM SIIAKESPEARE
(lA MidsII1lt1l1er Night 'J Dream"
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"Sweet flowers that in the still hour grew We'll take them home, nor shake off the
bright dew. "
18
JOHN CLARE
"Mary"
'" leClrned lIIy fate bllt ICltely, when lI/Jon Illy bethinking lIIe whether YOIl loved lIIe, not even did the /JojJjJy cOllling in contClct n./CIke CI sound, bl/t ll'ithered ClWCl)' jllst so
u/Jon my soft Clrlll . ..
19
TIIEOCRITUS,
"The Thirel lely/I"
RED Number 3
WINE AND
S WEE T SPICES
Carnations have long been associated with weddings Their flowers were often used to spice the wine given to brides after the
wedding ceremony, in the belief that they were a powerful aphrodisiac. In Italy today, the carnation is sti ll a symbol of ardent love. So why not try this modern interpretation of a very old love potion?
INGREDIENTS
l2 lhg/1 hoz cinnamon 121 hg/'l2oz ginger
7g/'/40Z cloves '/2kg/ lIb soft brown JIIgClr
1 litrel2 pints red bllrgl/ndy wine /letals from two dove carnations
METIIOD
Put all the ingredients into a large pan and heat slowly, stirring until the sugar disso lves. Strain
and bottle.
Given to a loved one, this was g uaranteed to.
bri ng success!
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"Bring carnations and 'sops in wine' worn of paramours. JJ
ED MUND SPENSER
"SopS in wine" was an Elizabechan name for "pinks" . The pi nk was worn as an indication to possible suitors that the wearer's affections were
already taken .
21
y.
"And now St Agnes, play thy part And send to me mine own sweetheart
And show to me sitch happy bliss This night of him to have a kiss!"
"Agnes sweet, Agnes fair Hither, hither now repair Bonny Agnes, let me see
The lad who is to marry me. "
On the 20th January falls St Agnes· Eve.
St Agnes will intercede in affairs of the heart.
NlImber 4 APPLES AND
JASMINE
"As one who drinks from a charmed CliP Of foaming, and sparkling, and mllrmllring
wzne, Whom, a mighty Enchantress filling up,
Invites to love with her kiss divine .... "
PERCY BYSSIIE SHELLEY
uMusic"
INGREDiENTS
1 tsp dried woodrtt// I h tsp dried jasmine flowers
112 litrel l pint dear apple juice ] red skinned apple
METIIOD
Sprink le the herbs and flowers into 1/8 litrel 1/4 pint of clear apple juice, and chill for 2 hours. Strain and stir in the re maining juice. Just before serving add a slice of apple to
each g lass.
The apple was the "forbidden fruit" from the tree of knowledge, with which Eve tempted Adam.
24
ALEXIS: "They have invented a philtre, which, if report may be believed, is simply infallible. I intend to distribute it through the village, and within half an hour of my doing so, there will not be an adult in the place, who will not have learnt the secret of pure and lasting
happiness. "
25
W.S. G ILBERT
"The Sorcerer"
"Let us twine like amorous trees. I!
"This love it was a bud And a secret known to me
Like a flower within a wood Like a nest within a tree. "
26
JOHN CLARE
({Love's Pain"
"You, Helen, who see the stars As mistletoe berries burning in a black tree,
YOH sllrely, seeing I am a bowl of kisses, Should p1lt your mouth to mine and
drink of me. JJ
27
D. H. LAWRENCE
"The Appeal"
Number 5
CHAMPAGNE AND STRAWBERRIES
Champagne and strawberries have long had the reputation, when combined, of being a powerful aphrodisiac. With the added
benefit of verbena, this drink provides a very effective love' potion.
"Wine comes in at the mouth And love comes in at the eye; That's all we know for truth Before we grow old and die. I lift the glass to my mouth, I look at you, and I sigh. JJ
INGREDIENTS
W. B. YEATS
"A Drinking Song"
1 tsp scented rose geranium leaves 1 tsp lemon verbena leaves 1 bottle sweet white wine lOOg/4oz strawberries
1 bottle soda water or cham/)agne
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METHOD
Pur rhe leaves into a jug and pour on rhe wine. Leave ar room rem perature for ar leasr four hours. Srrain and add sliced strawberries. Chill for 30 minures. Jusr before serving pour in chi lled soda
warer or champagne.
Verbena was used in many ways as an aphrodis iac. Pillows were stuffed wirh dried verbena leaves and placed on marriage beds, and irs blossoms strewn
on rhe floor of rhe bridal cham beL
A bowl of por-pourri containing verbena placed on a table near rhe door of your bedroom, being srirred with the fourth finger of rhe left hand on entering the room, is said to induce a mood
of love.
29
"And, when at length in that strange ecstasy The heavy sigh will start There rains lipan my heart
A love so pure and fine That I say: 'Lady, I am wholly thine.!!!
DANTE GABRIEL ROSSETTI
30
"] prithee send me back my heart, Since] cannot have thine
For if from yours you will not part Why then should'st thou have mine?"
SIR JOHN SUCKLING
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N umber 6
BRANDY AND BORAGE
The effi cacy of thi s poti o n re li es on th e co mbination of bra nd y a nd sherry with the exhilarating p roperti es of borage. For
the bes t results it should be used very sparing ly.
INGREDI ENTS
I lemon I litrel2 pintJ dry cider
25g/lozjreJh borage leaveJ 'h litrell pint orangej1lice
'h mp Jherry 'h ClIp bYCIllcly 50g120z JIIgar
Jocla water to taJte
M ETIIOD
Finely peel the lemon and p ri ck all over with a fork . Put into a jug and pour in the cider. Then add chopped borage leaves. Chill fo r 4 ho urs. Add o ra nge jui ce, she rry, bra nd y a nd suga r,
stirring well.
] ust before serving , remove lemon and add soda water to taste.
32
"Here in the garden 0/0111' first embrace, We lost Ollr hecl1'ts
And bless'd this place."
"Iseult's lIIolher gelfhered herbs Clnd flOIl'ers e!lld roolJ CIIld Jlee/Jedlhelll in lcine. emd bYell'ed CI /lolion o/mighl. Clild hell'illg dOlle so, sClid. 'Telke then this /lilcher emd remember lI'ell JJJ)' words. Hide il so thClt 170 eye -rhetll see. 170 li/l go neClr it .... For Ihis is its /loll'e/': Ihey lI'ho drink 0/ it togelher lot'e eClch olher with el'el] single sense emel wilh Iheir eVeI] IhoJJgiJl, forever. in life Cllld
ill deellh . . "
33
"TRISTAN AND h I II.T"
fr(J1II the ',-",wll/firm b)
II i/aire B,I/oc
'''Twas the maiden's matchless beallty That drew my heart a-nigh;
Not the fern-root potion, BIIt the glance of her bllte eye. "
AM)r-;.
34
35
Number 7
VANILLA AND JASMINE
The warm, spicy and slighcly heady seem of cinnamon bark, combined wirh rhe perfume of jasmine and vanilla, makes rhis
porion perfen for serving on a chill wimer 's evening.
INGREDIENTS
2 tsp dried jelS/nine flower" 1/2 vanilla pod
2-3 cloves 1/2 stick cinnalllon
1/4 litre/l/2 pint red wine honey (oll/ional)
METIIOD
Place rhe flowers, vanilla pod, cloves and cinnamon inro a warmed jug. Cover wirh a lirrie boiling warer and allow ro infuse for to minures.
Srrain and add III lirre/ lh pim red wine. Sweeren wirh a lircle honey co rasre if required. Warm
gencly and serve.
36
"Cupid, if storying Legends tell aright, Once fram'd a rich Elixir of Delight.
A chalice o'er love-kindled flames he jix'd, And in it Nectar and Ambrosia mix'd,
With these the magic dews, which Evening brings
brltsh'd from the Idafian star by faery wings: Each tender pledge of Saaed Faith he join'd
Each gentler P leasttre of th' /lnspotted mind -"
SAMUEL TAYLOR COLERIDGE
I'Kisses"
BacchllS, Roman God of Wine, was said
to have drttnk from beechwood bowls!
37
Amethysts u'ere replIted to be an antidote to Iwe potions and charms. They ol/eree! SlIre protection when steeped in
the suspect wine.
38
(Jlle day Bacchlls threw a yo/(ng ll'Glllem /0 the lions. Ven/(s I/(rned her into a co/t",m 0/ q/(tlytz and the yemorse//Il god po/(yed wine Ol'er this, giving it the
puyple 0/ alllethyst.
39
FIN E Number 8
WINE AND FLOWERS
A ccording ro rhe Greeks of ancienc rimes, rhe use of rhe "warming" herbs rosemary and feverfew in chis porion was cercain ro
inflame che passion of any young man ro whom ic was served. These herbs were said ro be parricularly
effeccive when sceeped in vincage wine.
"And, therefore, if love be a /ire Then he shall burn me liP.
1/ love be water Oftt of the mire, Then I will be the Cltp. "
GEORGE AUGUSTUS SIMCOX
"Love's Vo/ary"
INGREDIENTS
I bottle vintage daret 2 tsp dried or fresh rosemary f/Oll'ers
1 tsp dried or fresh chopped violet leaves
METIIOD
Pour che c1arec inco a jug and add che rosemary flowers and chopped leaves. Srand ac room cemperarure for 2 hours. Strain inco a decanrer
and serve.
40
41
"Teach me where that wondro/IJ Mandrake grows,
Whose magic root, torn from the earth with groans,
At midnight hOllY, can scare the fiends away. And make the mind prolific in its fancies!"
HENRY WADSWORTH LONGFELLOW
42
"He is handsome He is shy
And I'll love him Till I die."
43
Number 9
A FLOWER-LACED SUMMER CUP
The POt marigold flowers used in this tecipe were considered a splendid aphrodisiac which would also give the drinket the
power ro see fairies' And marjoram was said to "ease the troubles of such that are given to much
sighing".
INGREDIENTS
I tsp dried lavender flowers I h tsp dried marjoram leaves 1 tsp fresh marigold petals
1 bottle of soda water slices of lemon
METlJOD
Tip the flowers and leaves into the bottle of soda water. Replace cap and shake gently . Leave in the refrigerator fat 24 hours . Strain and serve with ice
and lemon.
Alternatively, plain mineral water may be substituted and the strained potion used to make tea
or coffee!
44
To keep the attention of a lover, bedlinen should be perfumed with marjoram.
According to Virgil, when Venlls carried off Ascanills she laid him on a bed oj marjoram.
"Come lover, come lad A nd make my heart glad For a husband I'll have
For good or for bad."
TRADITIONAL
45
I "And break upon thee, bathing, in woody place alone,
And catch thee to my saddle and ride o'er stream and stone,
And press thee well, and kiss thee well, and never speak a word, Till thou hast yielded liP, The margin 0/ love's ClIP."
TIIOMAS LOVELL BEDDOES
Number 10
A WARMING SPICED WINE
As long ago as 40 AD, rhe Romans served rhis honeyed wine ar banquers to increase desire . They were advised rhat its best effect was achieved
when raken in small quantities.
INGREDIENTS
] bottle 0/ white wine 1 tblspn honey
pinch o//reshly ground black pepper pinch 0/ saffron
] tsp dried red t1llip flowers pinch 0/ cinnamon
2 chopped dates
METHOD
Pur rhe wine into a saucepan and stir in the honey. Hear slowly, srirring conrinuously until hot. Add pepper, saffron, tulip flowers and cinnamon. Put in rhe chopped dares and simmer for
15 minutes. Strain and serve.
48
liThe wine is warm in the hearth; The flickers come and go.
I will warm your limbs with kisses Until they glow."
49
D. H. LAWRENCE
"December Night"
"Why we love and why we hate Is not granted lIS to know:
Random chance, or wilflli/ate. Guides the shaft from Cllpid's bow. "
AMBROSE PIlILlPS
"As lately I a ga1'iand bOllnd. 'Mongst roses I there Cupid /ollnd:
I took him. put him in my ClIP, And dmnk with wine, I drank him liP.
Hence then it is that my poor breast Could never since find any rest. "
50
ROBERT II ERRICK
"Upon Cupid"
Sl
"Like a sleeper Half dreaming
I sl"mbered my time All u'onders were hidden from view
Oll ' waken'd Alive
I'lIZ breathless, entranc'd By the bea//ty I now see in yo", "
Number 17
SHERRY SPIKED
WITH SAFFRON
"Could YOlt not drink her gaze like wine?"
DANTE GAURIEL ROSSETTI
"The Card-decder"
INGREDIENTS
2 tsps dried jJeony floll'm 2 tsps dried rose pett/is
pinch of sClffron 1 bottle dry sherry
METIIOD
Crush rhe peony flowers and rose perals and add wirh rhe saffron ro a barrie of dry sherry. Leave for abour a week in a cool place. Srrain and
serve chilled.
According ro Easrern sources, rhe combinarion of peony flowers and rose perals made a wonderful love potion, which would assure success. The secrer was ro adminsrer lirrle and ofren ro rhe
objecr of one's desires.
54
Angus, the ancient Ce ltic God of Love and Dalliance, bescowed kisses which turned inco invisible, love-whispering birds. Ir was said that the music of his harp was so sweet that all who
heard it would become enrranced.
The Apsaras were tbe enchanring nymphs of India 's heaven. Tbese fairy- l ike beings were exrremely beauriful and tempting and said co
number tbirty-five mil lion!
55
Number 12
A COUNTRY RECIPE
The ingrediencs for rhis porion were highly regarded for rheir love-inducing properries and rhey were combined wirh light ale in rural areas to entice the local boys.
INGREDIENTS
2 pints tight ate 2 tsps dried borage I tsp dried woodYli/f I tsp dried chervil
METHOD
Pour rhe ale inca a jug and stir in dried herbs. Leave at room temperature for 2 hours. Strain,
chill and serve.
"Straight to the 'pothecary's shop I went, And in Love-Powder all my money spent;
Behap what will, next Sunday after prayers, When to the aleholtSe LlIbberkin repairs
These golden flies into his mug I'll throw And soon the swain with fervent love
shall glow. "
56
JOHN GAY
"The Shepherd's Week"
57
"Among thy fancies tel! me this, What is the thing we call a kiss?"
"It is a creatllre born and bred Between the lips (all cherry red), By love and warm desires Jed."
59
ROUEIlT IIERIlICK
"Tbe Kiss "
("Tis twelve, I think And at this mystic hOl'('r
The magic drink Should manifest its power
Oh slumberous forms, How little have ye guessed
The /ire that warms Each apathetic breast. "
W.S. GILBERT
"Tbe Sorcerer"
A nd finally, should you need an amidote to love, poppy seeds were said to provide the answer. A teaspoon of these should be
chewed slowly from time to time ro ease the pains of love.
60
JULIA JONES' previous books include Cattern Cakes and Lace, The National Trmt Calendat' of Garden Lore, Royal Pleasures and Pastimes, and The English COllntry Craft Collection. She is an acknowledged expert and lecturer on tradi tional English Crafts, and regularly appears on television and radio.
KENNETH AMES has travelled the world as a musician and songwriter and in recent years has concentrated on writIng.
DEREK IIARRIS, founder of "Images and Editions" is an internationally recognised photographer. His most recent best seller is Monet at Giverny.
Jacket pflnttd In I long Kong.
LONGMEADOW , . j
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"As lately I a garland bOllnd, 'Mongst roses I there ell/lid found;
I took him, Pllt him in my ClIP, And dmnk with wine, I drank him liP.
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ISBN 0-681-41771-4