carbonized organic matter

Ingredients

myrrh troglitis, Karian figs, Nikolaus dates, dried pine cones, single-stemmed wormwood, wings of the Hermaic ibis, spring water

Preparation Steps

Original Recipe Text

The recipe from PGM I 243–246 involves taking 4 drachmas of myrrh troglitis, 3 Karian figs, 7 pits of Nikolaus dates, 7 dried pine cones, 7 piths of single-stemmed wormwood, and 7 wings of the Hermaic ibis. These ingredients are mixed with spring water. After burning (kaysas, καύσας) the ingredients, the resulting ash is prepared for writing (p. 36).

Evidence

"This is the preparation of the ink: myrrh troglitis, 4 drachmas, 3 Karian figs, 7 pits of Nikolaus dates, 7 dried pine cones, 7 piths of the single-stemmed wormwood, 7 wings of the Hermaic ibis (ibeōs Hermaikēs ptera, ἴβεως Ἑρμαϊκῆς πτερὰ), spring water."

Remarks

From a technical point of view, this ink is classified as a carbon ink, prepared from the ashes of burned components (p. 37). The use of the number seven and components like the ibis (associated with Thoth/Hermes) established a sympathetic link to improve memory (p. 37). Binders are noted as often absent from magical inks because they were either meant to be consumed (licked/drunk) or to disappear (p. 38).