Stregheria ~ The Craft of the Italian Witches
Stregheria is the old Italian word for Witchcraft. It is called variously La Vecchia Religione, The Olde Religion, or just plain Strega. The modern word that is used in its place today is
Stregoneria: however, it appears that these two words have distinctly separate meanings. The word
Stregheria correlates to the practice of
Witchctaft, in combination with the worship of the Gods and the
Sabbat. The word
Stregoneria is pure sorcery- or more recently, since the Spanish Inquisition, is a form of sorcery masked behind the Catholic Saints and
beliefs. Sort of what we would term the difference between Wicca and Witchcraft. Except of course that the
Stregoneras work with
Catholosism.
*
Stregheria encompasses a wide variety of Traditions, practices and beliefs. I will touch on some of the more basic tenets that are still being used both in the Mediterranean and here in the States. The word for a female Witch is Strega, and the male is Stregone. A coven is called a Boschetto, meaning grove.
*
Many modern
Strega prefer to worship the ancient
Etruscian pantheon, which include variations of Tana, the Goddess and
Tanus, the God. Though there are many who work instead with the Roman Diana and
Dianus.
*
In the Aridian Tradition, that Raven Grimassi started in 1981, they work with Tana and Tanus; whereas, in his newer Tradition, Arician, started in 1988 the God names were changed to the Etruscian Tagni and Uni. The Catholic Strege work with the Cathilic Dieties and Saints. Some, not all, acknowledge that these are just thinly veiled Pagan Gods of the days of old.
*
One only has to remember that most of these Gods and Goddesses were one and the same Deity wearing the disguise of a new culture. Also that essentially all Gods are one, and only facets of the All.
*
No
piece on
Strega would be complete without mention of
Aradia, The Holy
Strega, or La Bella
Pellegrina, or the
Beautiful pilgrim.
*
Depending on the source of the story, Aradia is either a human woman (Grimassi's take c.1980's) or (Leland's take c.1898) a Goddess, the daughter of Diana, who came to the Earth to teach Witchcraft to the oppressed humans, in order to free them of their plight.
*
Charles Leland's 1898 version of the story of the Goddess Aradia, as told in "Aradia- The Gospel of the Witches"; is a beautiful rendition, that has become a cult-classic. Though, it has been largely refuted as an actual Myth.
(Pretty funny huh- usually they try to disprove a real person as fact, not a mythological Goddess!)
*
The book largely inspired Gerald Garner in the creation of Wicca, in 1949; and Lord knows he took lee-way in the creation of the religion of Wicca. In more modern times, Raven Grimassi has re-vitalised the Tradition and the story of Aradia. In my opinion, it matters not whether Aradia was a Goddess or not, I think like so many other things was meant to be taken for its body of knowledge and inspiration.
Raven
Grimassi's version tells us of a different
Aradia. In the 1300's lived a woman named
Aradia di Toscano, in Lake
Nemi, Tuscany. Born in 1313CE, she was taught the ways of Italian Witchcraft by her Aunt. As the legend goes,
Aradia was walking one day in the in the
Alban Hills near her home,
pre-occupied with the plight of her downtrodden countrymen, who were being oppressed by the Italian Noblemen and the Catholic Church. (This was during the Spanish Inquisition, after all.)
*
It was on this walk that Aradia had the spiritual epiphany that inspired her to create the Tradition of Strega. She heard the word "Moonshadow" whispered on the wind.
*
Aradia's message, called "The Covenant", is a message of personal empowerment and freedom. Aradia taught that the ways of the Strega were open to any and all that were willing to avail themselves of the teachings, and that the secret knowledge and lore of the Witchcraft, healing and magick could be learned by any who adhered the ways of the Old Ones.
*
The Triad Clans were known as the Mystery Keepers. They were an alliance of Witch Clans who
are known as the Fanarra, the keepers of the Earth Mysteries; the Janarra, the keepers of the Lunar Mysteries; and the Tanarra, keepers of the Stellar Mysteries. The Grimas are the leaders of each of these groups.
*
Stregheria is a system of Witchcraft that is based upon nature, Moon Lore, Italian Folk Magick, healing and communication with Otherworld entities.
*
Strega are known for their ability to cast Spells, create Charms, Amulets and Talismans that can attract the desired influences, or protect one from undesirable ones. A gesture of the hand can bring about power or protection. (And we all know how the Italians are famed for their lively hand gestures!)
*
And yes, the Strega are known for doing the 'Bad Magick' known as Malandanti; as well as The 'Good Magick', called Benandanti. One only has to remember the origins of this Tradition, and their travails with the Catholic Church to consider why this would be nessesary.
*
The Strega often work without a ritual circle, as they view magick as a natural part of one's day, and not something outside of this time and space. They work mostly with kitchen and garden herbs common to the region, such as basil, rosemary, oregano and olive oil. They scry in a bowl of blessed water, with olive oil and crystals inside.
*
The
Stregha covens are led by a high Priest and Priestess. The Maiden is the Lady's
attendendant and is responsible for the Altar. The Guardians are responsible for monitoring the initiates, and for the safety and protection of the Priestess. The Watchers are called the
Grigori, and are invoked
to guard the Circle and witness the Rites.
*
The Strega read Aurguries, or omens and signs. Events such as weather, the flight of a bird, the travels of an insect, or the type of species contacted are seen to have meaning in Divination.
*
Household happenings as well are watched carefully, such as the untimely spilling of salt or soup, or the unexpected arrival of a visitor.
*
The Cimarruta, a symbol known as "The Sprig Of Rue", is a protective Talisman of the Strega. (The silver pendant above is one version of the Cimarruta.) This symbol, in old times, identified the wearer as a member of the society of Diana.
*
These are the common symbols used in a Cimarruta.
*
Rooster Head-dispels the forces of darkness
Dagger - the arrow of Diana
Crescent Moon - occult forces
Serpent - cunning and wisdom
Key - knowledge
Vervain Blossom - protection (it is a flower of five pointed petals)
*
Well Guys- I hope you all enjoyed this part of my little Strega Post/Paper. Tomorow, I will post the rest of it, about the Italian Faerie Folk and Otherworld Spirits.
Let me know if you guys like it...or have any other cool Strega tid bits or spells I could add.
*
Untill next time...
Hey There My Blog Buddies! 
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
2. Pot up. Once the cutting is fully rooted, transplant it to a 3-1/2-inch pot using sterilized potting soil. Prune the side shoots slightly, which will encourage vertical growth.
