Service Description

We need to recognise these poisonous plants so we know what we’re dealing with. One person’s poison is another person’s medicine. Continuing with our investigation into anthropomorphism in natural forms such as rocks, now a mandrake that looks like a man: an anthropomorphic plant. "Aaaaaaaaa!" screams the plant when you uproot it - and then it kills you (so don't do it!). It was made into amulets and there are many superstitions surrounding this plant. According to witchcraft and folklore, there is a safe way to harvest the mandrake for magical and medicinal purposes. This little homunculus can make you fly! But don't do it if you don't know what you're doing, since it is actually poisonous. You might end up with the flight of hallucinations - or, according to Hebraic and Biblical lore, pregnant. Alternatively, mad - although it was also used to treat melancholy and mania. For more info and images, join the free forum at www.miniaturepaintingforum.com