The song is about the legendary flight to the Sabbat that Witches in the Middle Ages were supposed to do. The historical records show that the herbs mentioned in this song were used in "flying potions" which Witches would use to "fly" to the "Sabbat." In reality the supposed "flight" was a psychonautical voyage to the astral plane (as stated in the lyrics) where the celebrant might receive gnosis (ineffable knowledge) at the Sabbat (or state of ecstatic union with the higher self, or the forces of nature. The herbs mentioned are all extremely poisonous, so as one commenter put it, stick to wacky tobbacy or, I might suggest, Shrooms. All in all, the song is simply about having a Shamanistic experience. Its not about getting stoned or promoting the use of poisonous plants. The lyrics are meant to be evocative and dramatic. Not literal.
The song is about the legendary flight to the Sabbat that Witches in the Middle Ages were supposed to do. The historical records show that the herbs mentioned in this song were used in "flying potions" which Witches would use to "fly" to the "Sabbat." In reality the supposed "flight" was a psychonautical voyage to the astral plane (as stated in the lyrics) where the celebrant might receive gnosis (ineffable knowledge) at the Sabbat (or state of ecstatic union with the higher self, or the forces of nature. The herbs mentioned are all extremely poisonous, so as one commenter put it, stick to wacky tobbacy or, I might suggest, Shrooms. All in all, the song is simply about having a Shamanistic experience. Its not about getting stoned or promoting the use of poisonous plants. The lyrics are meant to be evocative and dramatic. Not literal.