Moly
Moly is a magical herb derived from the roots of a rare species of mandrake plant. Moly is used to dispell or prevent the effects of certain magical spells, most notably the transformation potions of Circe.
The substance is infused with the spilled blood of a Gigante named Molios, a personal enemy of the sun-titan, Helios. Although Molios was slain during the Gigantomachy, his enmity to Helios survives. Moly is effective against sun-based magic, such as that practiced by Circe and Medea, and may be used as a charm against such sun-descended creatures as the Minotaur.
Moly in the Gigantomacy
The white-flowered plant moly, of which Homer speaks, grew from the blood of Molios, a Gigante killed on the island of Aiaia. The Gigante was killed by Circe's father, Helios. The combat was hard, malos in Greek, from which the name of this plant is derived.Tradition is unclear whether the plant from which moly is derived was created from the Gigante's blood, or whether the blood infused with an already-existent plant to create a new strain.
Moly in the Odyssey
"In a golden goblet, Circe brewed a potion for me to drink, and treacherously mingled her drug with it. When I had drunk it up and was unenchanted still, she struck at me with her wand. "‘Now’ she said ‘be off to the sty, to wallow with your companions there.’ "So she spoke, but I drew the keen sword from beside my thigh, rushed at her and made as if to kill her. "She shrieked, slipped underneath my weapon, and clasped my knees in appeal: ‘Who are you, and from where? It bewilders me that you drank this drug and were not bewitched. Never has any other man resisted this drug, once he had let it pass his lips. But you have an inner will that is proof against sorcery.'"Odysseus receives a dose of molly from Hermes, allowing him to counteract the effects of Circe's transformation spell. We can not know whether the moly worked or was a placebo for some other power activated by the daimon. Homer does not depict Odysseus consuming, wearing, or otherwise using the molly, leaving its form and usage ambiguous.
HIstoricity Note
Medical historians have speculated that the transformation of men by Circe into pigs was not intended literally but refers to anticholinergic intoxication. Symptoms include amnesia, hallucinations, and delusions. The black-rooted and white-flowered description of "moly" fits the snowdrop, a flower of the region that contains galantamine, which is an anticholinesterase that can counteract anticholinergics.Properties
Material Characteristics
It is unknown what form moly takes, whether a powder, solid, or liquid, and what consistency, color, or odor.
Life & Expiration
Unknown.
History & Usage
Refinement
Refinement through methods unknown.
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