Think you already know everything about Halloween and nothing can surprise you? We bet there’s a topic you haven’t considered! While scary movies have convinced us that witches make their potions from toxic plants and mouse tails, we want to show you that the perfect brew for this unholy night can be made from… mushrooms!
Imagine yourself as a witch, picking the ingredients for the ultimate Halloween recipe.
Safety Cautions in the Magic Forest
The first danger lurks while mushroom hunting. A true witch knows to watch out for fairy rings. Scientists explain that these circles form from the growth patterns of certain fungal mycelium. However, in Irish and German folklore, they’re believed to be places where witches dance. Even if no one suspicious is in sight, don’t get too comfortable. On a night when the boundary between reality and the fairy world is thin, it’s easy to slip into another realm.
Now, while you’re on the lookout for any beasts, let’s begin with…
The Pumpkin-Red Mushroom
First on the list is Omphalotus illudens, commonly known as the eastern jack-o’lantern mushroom. This giant, bright orange fungus, which glows with a soft greenish bioluminescent light, is perfect for a Halloween potion. But be warned—it’s poisonous! The mushroom can cause sickness to any careless traveler who dares to take a bite of this delicious-looking ingredient in a fairy’s domain.
The Secret of Longevity
Don’t be fooled into thinking witches only use dangerous ingredients. They carry ancient wisdom and can heal as well as harm. That’s why Japanese witches prefer the shiitake mushroom, Lentinula edodes, which symbolizes longevity and good health. After all, what witch wouldn’t dream of staying young and beautiful forever?
The Diabolically Looking Mushroom
The next candidate for the witch’s kettle is the devil’s tooth, Hydnellum peckii, known for its striking appearance. With a painful white cap mottled with blood-red “teeth,” it’s not just for scaring evil spirits. While a common mushroom hunter might avoid this ominous fungus, a skilled witch will seek it out in dark forests with rotting wood. The bitter taste is worth it for its anticoagulant properties!
The Fairytale Mushroom
Next is a mushroom popular in both Slavic and Japanese folklore. A true witch wouldn’t believe it to be a coincidence and would use it in her potion to test on an unlucky passerby on Halloween night. The fly agaric, Amanita muscaria, is believed to have been gifted to humans by the ancient Slavic god Veles. People say this beautiful yet highly poisonous mushroom possesses mystical properties.
The fly agaric’s bright red cap, dotted with white, frequently appears in depictions of the Tanuki, a raccoon dog from Japanese folklore. The Tanuki was believed to have the ability to shapeshift into other creatures and even possess humans.
The Ritual Ingredient
Last but not least, we have a whole category of mushrooms—psychoactive fungi. The ancient Maya and Aztec shamans considered them divine and used them in rituals. However, their spiritual power can be dangerous in the wrong hands, so religious authorities strictly regulated their use.
Once the potion is ready, a fairy can take a sip to restore her youth or charm an unsuspecting man with her magical brew. But beware—unlike witches, people don’t have magical powers and can get seriously poisoned from such experiments! So, it’s best to leave all the toxic and questionable mushrooms in the forest.
Stay safe this Halloween!