Widely known throughout a specific part of the world's societies, the Green Fairy has, until recently, been a legend of darkness, horror and hallucinations. The pages of her history include characters such as Roman charioteers, Parisian Bohemian artists and French courtiers. Although the nickname of "Green Fairy" is only 200 years old, her given name is none other than "Absinthe". Although absinthe has been around for thousands of years, been mentioned in Egyptian papyri and early Syrian texts, it is often thought to have been invented in 1797. In actuality, Dr. Pierre Ordinaire invented a modern form of absinthe. Since its modern rebirth, absinthe has been a medical miracle, a soothing tonic, a hallucinatory aid and the "devil's handiwork". As a medicinal tonic, it was used to cure everything from colic to migraines, intestinal worms to epilepsy. In the past, it has been used as a water purifier by soldiers in the French Army's Africa campaigns, as well as by a renowned courtier to a French king for an upset stomach. Due to its "magical curative powers" and green color, the French named this medical marvel "the Green Fairy". Classified as an alcoholic drink, it has been prohibited in many countries, only recently coming back from the underground. However, the act of drinking absinthe is buried in tradition and steeped in legend. La Fee Verte (French: "the Green Fairy") was never been meant to be something you "knocked back" at a bar. Throughout its history, imbibers have been described as "inspired by the Green Muse" or "worshipping the Green Goddess". The infamous Alistair Crowley, aka "The Wickedest Man in the World", penned an essay on the glories of the "Green Goddess". Whether one calls it worship or inspiration, it is agreed by all imbibers that the act of preparing the liquid is ritualistic in nature - a process of transformation in the ritual of La Louche. During La Louche, pure, iced water is slowly added to the absinthe over a lump of sugar until the sugar dissolves. In part, this ritual is practical, as it waters down absinthe's 70% alcohol content, as well as sweetening the drink. However, as the water slips into the emerald green drink, it transforms into a lighter, smoky-looking milky green, releasing the Green Fairy and unlocking her true power. The transformation theme carries throughout the whole mindset of absinthe drinkers. As the liquid visually changes due to the added water, turning brilliant emerald into a milky jewel, the imbibers are transformed as they drink. The mind is liberated to be what it should be, rather than held back by the rigid structures society has forced it to. In her infancy and later, the Green Fairy became the Muse for artists, liberating their minds. She challenged poets to create original, fantastic pieces for the ages. She urged painters to put brush to canvas and create provoking masterpieces - rebellious, experimental works of art that pushed conventional puritans to see the world anew. In short, the Green Fairy prompted, taunted, teased and whispered to countless members of the world to be more than society said they were - to share what was inside them in new and exciting ways. Time has changed fact and fiction into a heady mix of myth and legend. Many of the stories surrounding the Green Fairy have been of someone losing their mind, killing, hurting, etcetera; those stories were, in part, the cause of absinthe being removed from the store shelves. However, recent studies have sense shown that the hallucinatory factors, long thought to be caused by thujone (one of the ingredients), were actually caused by the fact that absinthe is 140 proof. Whether the Green Fairy truly transforms or just stupefies the drinkers can only be decided by being there in the moment, but the time-honored ritual of preparation lives on - waiting for her to spread her wings.
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Widely known throughout a specific part of the world's societies, the Green Fairy has, until recently, been a legend of darkness, horror and hallucinations.
Green Devil provides information, tips and kits on the making and history of absinthe throughout the ages. Learn more about the allure this beverage has held over the centuries or make your own absinthe alcohol and find out for yourself. Visit online for more information.
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