Pharmakos (pʰar.ma.kos)
"The practice of Pharmakeía has a long history, and not all of it is good. When you become a Pharmakos, you must learn to temper your ambitions, lest the power the art offers turn you into a monster, or a sacrifice." - common warning for those who seek to learn Pharmakeía
A Pharmakos is a practitioner of the Folk Magic tradition of the Kaphtori and Kaphtori Aethry, known as Pharmakeía. Most pharmakoi restrict themselves to iatromancy, the subset of Pharmakeía that deals with healing magic, using herbs and rituals to treat diseases and injuries.
Wise Women
Nearly all pharmakoi among the Kaphtori and Kaphtori Aethry are women, and there is a stigma associated with men who take up the art. They typically live apart from the rest of the community, frequently in a wild location that is equidistant from two or three villages. Almost anyone in the Kaphtor Islands knows who to go to for a Phármakon, or remedy.
Phármakon can take many forms, depending on the exact needs of the patient. Most often they are potions or poultices, but can also be amulets, tablets, or sachets of dried herbs. They are said to promote healing of specific injuries, or to ward off afflictions such as curses or disease. Not all Phármakon are Folk Magic - many of a Pharmakos' remedies rely on the natural properties of the ingredients and require no metaphysical support to perform their function. But others are integrated into the traditional beliefs that empower Folk Magic, and can produce exceptional effects.
High and Dark Pharmakeía
Much rarer than the village pharmakoi are those who have delved into more powerful and dangerous aspects of Pharmakeía. These practitioners can transform the body, see the future, and animate the dead. The use of these powers carry a cost, and tales are told of children gone missing to empower higher magic. A pharmakos suspected of practicing such arts must take care, lest they be discovered by men or gods, for both will condemn her for the price she pays for power. It is more common among those of royal blood to undertake the study of forbidden Pharmakeía, since they can usually protect themselves from the wrath of those who fear them.
Sacrifices to the Gods
It is not safe to be one of the pharmakoi. One of the chief dangers comes whenever times are bad and the people look for a scapegoat. In many parts of the Kaphtor Islands, it is traditional to sacrifice the local pharmakos in response to a major disaster such as plague or famine. When these calamities strike, the people believe that the gods are angry, and that sacrifices must be made to appease them. In most cases they will burn the home of the pharmakos and drive her from the area, sometimes beating her or pelting her with stones. In extreme cases, she may be killed, either burned or thrown from a cliff. Because of the nature of Folk Magic, the belief of the people that driving out the pharmakos will work empowers the act with metaphysical weight, which may be enough to alleviate the disaster somewhat. In this way, the sacrifice of the pharmakos is itself a form of Pharmakeía.
Goddesses of Magic
Among the Daemones are many goddesses known as patrons of the pharmakoi, and a pharmakos is often a priestess as well as a magician and healer. Like all Numina, they are bound to the places where their eidolons anchor in the world, so the specific goddess will vary from place to place. One of the best known of them is Ákra, a goddess from Sintike who created the cursed Kēthys. There is also Ekato the sea-witch, who lives within the waters around the Kaphtor Islands, and is the wife of Zoí Ypovrýchia.
While their powers outside their physical territories are limited, the Daemones of Pharmakeía can also manifest within the dream-echo of the Seiðr Hús, an eclectic temple of magic on the island of Eyju. Like other eclectic temples, the Seiðr Hús is a place where gods of differing pantheons but similar interests may meet to discuss things which impact them all. More than one expelled Pharmakos has made her way north to Eyju to serve her goddess in the eclectic temple.
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This article was originally written for Spooktober 2024. You can find all of my Spooktober Articles at Spooktober Central.
This article was originally written for Spooktober 2023. You can find all of my Spooktober Articles at Spooktober Central.
This was very interesting! One thing confused me though: wise women are not considered pharmakoi? Because after them you write about Dark and High Pharmakeia and you say that Pharmakoi are rare. It's always a delight to read your articles :)
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Or, if you want something darker, Crux Umbra awaits.
Hmm. I meant to say that while village pharmakoi are common, those that practice high and dark Pharmakeia are rare. I'll clarify in the article, thanks!
That makes more sense :) Also, I love the way you use greek words in your articles. Do you speak any greek or is it pure research?
Come visit my world of Kena'an for tales of fantasy and magic!
Or, if you want something darker, Crux Umbra awaits.
All research. I try to use names and words that match the culture I'm currently working with (and I'm addicted to adding more and more of them, up to about 70).
If you ever need help with that, know that I'll be very happy to oblige!
Come visit my world of Kena'an for tales of fantasy and magic!
Or, if you want something darker, Crux Umbra awaits.
Thanks!