In China, the toad was regarded as the incarnation of the great beginning of Yang, and it was an attribute of God of Wealth, Liu Hai, and the idea of prosperity.
In Vietnam, the toad is associated with rain, fertility, wealth, and sexuality. In Egypt, frogs were considered sacred animals and depicted seated on a lotus. In the Bible, the toad is an unclean animal; the invasion of the toads is described as one of the "plagues". God said to Pharaoh: "... behold, I will send a plague of frogs on your whole country, so the river will swarm with frogs. They will come up out of the river and into your house... "(Ex. 8).
In medieval times the toad, compared to the frog, was described as a negative, hellish animal. Toads were covered as an indispensable object of witchcraft. They have been used for the preparation of potions, served as a company for a witch.
The glands of toads secrete a thick white poison, which serves as a natural defense weapon to repel the attacks of animals or humans. This poison, called bufotenin, is also commonly referred to as "toad’s milk", and it is a hallucinogen. This poison is unpalatable and can also kill a man. Since the time of Zoroaster, who lived around 600 BC, toads were associated with many manifestations of evil.
In the Middle Ages it was thought toads to be evil.
The people believed that witches could turn into toads. Toads were the companions of witches at home of demons, who demanded to be served by witches. The witches, presumably, availed themselves of the toads, ordering them to poison enemies, or cause harm making them lame. On Saturday, toads did the tasks of housewives. In many magic potions, toads are an important ingredient.
According to legend the witches decapitated frogs, stripped their skin, and added to other strange ingredients. An ointment that is made from the saliva of the toad is the gist of a preparation that makes invisible the witch. In the popular magic, frog’s ashes mixed with brandy are an effective antidote against drunkenness. Toads were used as amulets in necromancy and black magic. It was believed that toads are jewelry, the toad stone can be used to acquire the poison, the stone is heated close to the poison.
Especially effective was considered a ring with a stone amulet in the shape of toad.
In the Middle Ages, it was believed that during the meeting, for the worship of the devil, participants mutilated and cut toads into pieces. The impure witches, tapping the foot, sent the toads to the underworld. Some modern witches believe that toads are good companions because these creatures are easily manageable and they easily take care of themselves. In addition, toads transmit their mental properties. It is said that witches are able to suck the milk of the toad, without hurting it.
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