stora skuggan / eau de parfum - hexensalbe
stora skuggan / eau de parfum - hexensalbe
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Top Notes: Wormwood, Salty Liqourice
Made by hand in Stockholm.
“In rifleing the closet of the ladie, they found a pipe of oyntement, wherewith she greased a staffe, upon which she ambled and galloped through thick and thin, when and in what manner she listed”
– Proceedings Against Dame Alice Kyteler, Prosecuted for Sorcery, 1324
Hexensalbe, also known as witches’ flying ointment, was a hallucinogenic salve used in witchcraft in the middle ages. It was a mixture of extremely poisonous ingredients.
The drug produced an ecstatic trance with powerful sensations of flying, images of otherworldly creatures and a primal sexual hunger. These hallucinations are at the core of the mythology of witches, where they fly to the sabbath at Blåkulla or Brocken to do it with the devil and other witches in unholy rites.
So, the image of witches flying can be traced back to the use of hexensalbe, but why on a broomstick? The ointment was so poisonous that eating it would be directly fatal, instead it was applied to other soft membranes of the body, armpits and more commonly the genitals. Because of the erotic effects of the high, the salve would often be rubbed directly onto a phallic object like the end of a staff or a broomstick. And so, the witch did not ride the broomstick like we picture her today. She actually -really- rode it.
Given which aspects of the story of hexensalbe has survived into the modern image of witches, and what has been suppressed, it would seem that the one thing more terrifying than witches or devils, is female sexuality.
No, we use both essential oils and synthetic materials of the highest quality. Just as you will find in any good perfume. The difference from a mass market perfumer is that we will use the right materials, regardless of their cost. Cutting corners by using cheap substitutes of expensive oils only makes sense if you're planning to sell millions of units. That is not our focus.
Are Stora Skuggan perfumes vegan?
With the exception of Thumbsucker, which contains beeswax – yes. That does not mean you should eat them.
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Stora Skuggan is a niche perfume brand from Sweden, founded in 2015. The brand is run by a small group of perfumers and designers. All production – from perfume formulation to branding – is done at the Stora Skuggan fragrance studio in Stockholm. The perfumes are compounded by hand. Stora Skuggan perfumes are based on stories that blur the line between myth and reality. Central to the brand, these tales are conceptualized through scent and art, creating a small universe for each product.
RETURN POLICY
RETURN POLICY
Exchange or store credit is available on eligible (please see final sale items, below) full-priced items with a receipt within 15 days of purchase. No refunds, and no price adjustments for previously purchased merchandise. Items must qualify for exchange, and be unworn and in original condition - including packaging. Any jewelry that has been custom-ordered, modified or sized we are unable to accept for exchange.
FINAL SALE ITEMS
To ensure we offer the highest quality items to our customers and abide by sanitary standards, the following categories of products are not eligible for exchange and are FINAL SALE:
- apothecary & fragrance (including all perishable goods)*
- sunglasses & hats
- all sale items (items sold at a discount)
- gift certificates
- international orders
*note on fragrance:
All fragrance and apothecary sales are final. Fragrance is a personal, hygienic product, and once a bottle has left the shop we can't resell it — even unopened — with the same confidence we owe the next customer.
If you're not sure about a scent, samples are the right move — stop by the shop and we'll help you find one.
Once an order is placed, we cannot guarantee that it may be cancelled. Please reach out to us immediately if you need to cancel your order.
SHIPPING COSTS
Shipping costs are non-refundable. If complimentary shipping was received by the customer, any exchange or store credit will be in the amount of the item(s), less a $5-20 processing charge.
Refused shipments are not eligible for refund.
HANDMADE DISCLAIMER
Please note that all jewelry and handmade products may have slight variations, due to the handmade process and the natural range of stones and materials used. If you would like additional photos or measurements of the item, please contact hello@lencollective.com and we’d be happy to assist you in selecting the right piece. We do not issue refunds for these artistic variations.
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