Potion-Making in Rus'

Our ancestors had no schools of magic, so they had to learn independently herbal lore, protection against evil spells, and other magical arts to survive in a dangerous world.

This book tells about Slavic magical beliefs and gathers all their convictions about plants. They used various means to bring rain, to win the heart of a beloved person, and also to calm restless spirits. Alexander Barkov shares captivating stories about how these incantations found their reflection in Pushkin’s works, and how rituals—into modern psychotherapy. He persuasively proves that, thanks to accumulated experience, the ancestors understood much more than they could possibly know.

This book will suit anyone interested in unusual aspects of history, and for all those who want to step into the world of magic in ancient Slavic customs.