Aglaophotis
Aglaophotis is a herb mentioned occasionally in works on occultism. References to aglaophotis and to olieribos (both of which are said to be magical herbs) are made in the Simon Necronomicon.
Historic uses
[edit]The Greek doctor Dioscorides named aglaophotis as a member of the peony family, Paeoniaceae.[1] It has been speculated that the species Paeonia officinalis, the European peony,[2] is the source of aglaophotis, but there is too little evidence for this theory to be proven.
According to Dioscorides, peony is used for warding off demons, witchcraft, and fever.[citation needed] This is at odds with the presentation in the Simon Necronomicon released twenty centuries later, in which it is used to call upon dark forces.[3]
In popular culture
[edit]Aglaophotis is portrayed throughout the Silent Hill video game series as a fluid or tablet which can expel monstrous parasites from characters' bodies.
The herb appears as a species of sentient, hostile plant monsters in Final Fantasy XI.
In the Book of Hours video game, the player can gather flowers named Aglaophotis.
See also
[edit]- Cortex moutan, use of peony in Chinese medicine
References
[edit]- ^ Frazer, Sir James George (1919). Folk-lore in the Old Testament: Studies in Comparative Religion, Legend and Law, Volume 2. Macmillan and Company. p. 389.
- ^ Rahner, Hugo (1963). Greek Myths and Christian Mystery. London: Burns & Oates. p. 243.
- ^ Simon Necronomicon (PDF). Vol. I. Avon Books. March 1980. p. 131. ISBN 978-0380751921.
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