Love spells and rituals have been part of MENA folklore for centuries. From Egyptian love potions to Moroccan talismans and Bedouin incantations, different cultures in the region have unique traditions related to attracting love and deepening relationships.
For example:
In Ancient Egypt, some believed writing a lover’s name on a papyrus scroll and burning it could invoke divine favor. In Moroccan folk magic, certain herbs like rose petals and saffron were used in love charms. In Levantine traditions, poetry and recitations were often employed to win someone’s heart. Do you know of any love-related folk practices from your culture? I’d love to hear about regional traditions and beliefs on love magic
I saw someone one comment about how “love potions” are Ok, but roofies aren’t. Magical coercion is ethical, why now?
That’s a fair point to bring up. In most MENA folklore, love spells and potions weren’t about coercion or removing consent but rather about intensifying attraction, luck, or spiritual alignment, kind of like wearing perfume or using astrology for love. Many traditions viewed these as symbolic or psychological rather than literal mind control. Of course, ethical concerns exist, especially in modern contexts, but historically, these practices were more about intention and belief rather than force.