Mon, 16 Apr - Absinthe Forum: Use in ritual?

I believe that there are actually two constituents of
wormwood - absinthine and anabsinthine. It has traditionaly been used to make beer (wormwood ale) and also a wine tonic to cure stomach upsets, as you say. But wormwood was also widley used in religion. There is a Mexican festival that uses garlands of the plant, during a pre Christian ritual worship of the Salt Goddess. In fact, wormwood plays an important part in many ancient magic rituals - I was wondering if it was this fact that influenced the belief that absinthe had the power to create shamanic type visons? I am not sure what wormwood is used for - to conjure up spirits or something? It's an interesting thought. I must admit that I've never had any deities turn up when I've been drinking absinthe, but then the modern day absinthe doesn't contain as much wormwood.

Wormwood is a plant that has fascinated humanity since the days of the Romans.

About the wormwood plant

The Vaults of Erowid site has a section about wormwood with information, photos of the plant and even experiences by people who have "experimented" with wormwood.

Wormwood tea anyone? The Golden Harvest Organics site has the recipe (the tea is to be used as a natural insect repellent, not drunk!), plus some tips on growing and harvesting the plant.

Purdue University's Center for New Crops & Plant Products has a short entry on wormwood that gives its common names, habitat and desription.

Suggest a link...

The Absinthe Drinkers is a Philadelphia band that combines poetry with original rock, jazz and funk - and the results are pretty amazing. If you fancy a bit of funked up Rimbaud, Baudelaire or Shakespeare, check out their site for upcoming shows or download sample tracks.

Absinthe: New European Writing
is a biannual journal that publishes translations of contemporary European writing that -- like absinthe itself -- is not widely available in the United States. Published by a Detroit native Dwayne D. Hayes, the journal contains poetry, prose and essays. Recommended.

Widow Moon by Peggy Amond
Whether or not poetry is the highest form of expression is one topic often debated over a glass of absinthe. Peggy Amond's Widow Moon certainly proves that "real poetry is not a thing of the past," as Bonnie Sutterby of PoetWorks noted. Ms Amond's book (available here) includes her famed tribute to the great "absinthe poet" Arthur Rimbaud.

More recommended
websites...

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Century 100

Stylish tall bottle, exquisite flavour, powerful experience. This is the rare gem that's attracted something of a cult following amongst absinthe experts and enthusiasts alike. Available online at centuryabsinthe.com
at $169 per bottle.

Maktub Verte

Think the jazz age. Maktub is an absinthe with a twist, made according to a 1920s recipe. And yes, it does taste (and feels) good. Also available in red & black. Available from absinthe.in for $145.