Stregheria (Italian Witchcraft) by Arianrhod Wolfchild (Admin)

[Dept of PMM Artists & things]

The Etruscans were, essentially, the beginning of an entire culture - going down
through the Greeks, Romans and on to modern day Italy. The Etruscans
represent
one of history's most fascinating people. They knew how to write and had
their
own language. Many were sailors, warriors, miners, merchants and
metalworkers.
They planned their cities, cemeteries, temples and roads. The cities
they built
are still thriving today, with slightly different names of course. The
Etruscans were polytheist, meaning they believed in more than one God.
These
gods formed two different groups: the gods and goddesses of the state
religion
and the spirits, which were thought to inhabit shrines. Each segment of
the Etruscan
universe was identified with a chief god or goddess who had a specific
area of
influence. Their universe was divided into three major forces: the
heavens, the
earth and the underworld. The Gods and Goddesses regulated, ordered,
controlled
and ruled all the natural elements: moon, sun, sky, weather and stars.
Every
craft and skill was under the patronage of some deity.

Stregheria is the
Craft of
the Italian Witches. It's an ancient system, steeped with History that
dates
back to the 14th century. We are the descendants of an ancient people
who used
MoonLore, Omens, Portends, Symbolisms, Herbs, Charms and Spirits (Faery)
to
work their magick. 'Strega' is an old word, derived from the Latin
'Strix' and
every dialect has a word and a legend for it. The word 'strega' in
modern
Italian means 'witch' or 'hag'. 'Strix' is also the root word for
'strigoaica'
or 'strigoi' the Romanian witch and 'shtriga' the Albanian witch.

Stregheria
resembles
Witchcraft/Wicca in that both systems are Goddess based. Both Stregheria
and
many Wiccan traditions accept the duality of both a female and male God.
Many
of the Goddesses and Gods are known by different names in different
traditions.
These deities are evoked for many purposes and are part of our everyday
life.


Stregheria and
Wicca
celebrate many of the same rites or Festivals even though the names are
not the
same and sometimes they occur on a slightly different date. The 'Tools'
will
vary from person to person and the true witch knows that the only
indispensable
'tool' is her/him self. When I call the elements I might use: for North:
stones; East: feathers; South: candles; West: scissors. North is Earth
therefore I use something that to 'me' signifies the earth. East is Air
so I
use feathers to 'fan' the air around me. South is Fire so I use a lit
candle.
West is Water so I would use scissors to symbolize the tides coming in
and out
of the ocean, much as the scissors open and close.

Some Strega also
recognizes
a third person, Aradia. She came to be known as the Holy Strega, a
spiritual
teacher and wise woman. Aradia taught that the traditional powers of a
witch
would belong to any who adhered to the way of the Old Religion. Aradia
called
these Gifts. The Charge of Aradia is the message she left her followers.
A great
read is 'Leland's Aradia: Gospel of the Witches'. Written in 1890,
Leland spent
better than 12 years researching Italian Witchcraft.

On the night of January 6th (Twelfth Night or the Eve of the Epiphany or
Little
Christmas), Befana leaves presents in children's stockings hung upon the
hearth
or in their shoes placed at the door, a tradition very much like Santa
Claus
associated with Christmas in America. The children write notes and hide
them up
the chimney for La Befana. The notes or offerings are generally a list
of toys
or other items that they want La Befana to bring. This time of year is
filled
with singing, rich foods, family, gifts, and helping others in need.

I believe that we as humans will come full circle. Meaning, we have
passed thru
different 'Ages' as the centuries have gone by. If we look to the ages
of the
Mother vs the Father, we witness patriarchal power that suppressed women
and
took control of every aspect of life. When the Father age gave way to
the Son
age, the Mother returned to a supporting, nurturing role that the Father
age
kept stifled. The Son did not totally suppress women, but he was still
under
the influence, guidance, control and manipulation of the Father. The
Ages do
overlap...there is no 'defined' beginning or end to each 'Age'.

In Italy and still in some places in the US, women and men born with a
'caul'
(inner fetal membrane still covering the body, especially the head) were
believed to have mysterious healing powers and the ability to see
witches.
After the child is born the veil is spread somewhere to dry out of the
sun.
Because the caul is special, it is treated carefully and with great
respect. It
is kept folded impossibly small and usually tucked into a red case that
has a
ribbon on it so it can be worn about the neck.

Herbs often have several different associations or symbolic
correspondences. It
is the aspect of the herb being used in the spell that will determine
its
symbolism. Herbs can also be used to enhance the power of ritual tools.
Herbs
can be used in many formats: Balm, Salve, Decoction, Infusion, Lotion,
Oils,
Poultice, Ointment, Syrup or Tincture.

With the introduction of Christianity, many of the Etruscan stories
transformed
and became attached to Catholic saints and martyrs. Pagan holy sites and
shrines
were rededicated to Christian figures, yet they retained their mystical
quality. Hidden within the Catholic Church, the saints served as the
focus for
the Strega's devotional practices. Each saint was thought to have
special
powers. Some Strega regarded the saints as 'supernatural' beings who
could be
enlisted in their cause or request. The saint I speak of here is not the
same
as the saint as known to the orthodox Catholics. The Strega would
believe that
the saying of a prayer, the lighting of a candle, and an offering are
'enough'
for the particular saint to intervene. The Catholics would go thru the
same
process, but they would 'hope' that the saint would aid them. Big
difference.
Should the saint fail the petitioner, their statue could be subjected
to: being
buried, being put in the freezer, being broken or totally destroyed.
Many
patron saints had their own festival days. Look to any real
Italian/Sicilian
section of a large city and you will find these festivals. The statue of
the
saint was carried in a procession or parade thru the streets.

There is much talk about the 'degree' system that many traditions use. I
do not
agree with those who think they can earn a First Degree in less than 1
year....even if they have prior experience, they need to learn the way
of
another tradition which may be very different from the one they had
previously
known. 'Degrees' are a tricky thing. Some covens require them, some
don't. Some
unscrupulous people 'just jump to 3rd'. Some never make it past 1st.
Some don't
want the 'stigma' of being degreed. It is my personal opinion that our
Strega
ancestors did not have a degree system. I believe they definitely had
what I
call a 'pecking order'. The oldest ruled and depending on your age and
your
knowledge, is where you stood in line. The Degree system I believe came
by way
of Gerald Gardener. The following is my own personal opinion and from my
own
experience.

A First Degree initiate (one who had decided they wish to learn more of a
certain tradition; also called a Dedicant) has demonstrated possession
of the
knowledge and skills needed to take care of his or her own spiritual
needs.
Also he or she must possess the basic working and hands-on knowledge of:
the
Elements and with basic correspondences; ability to banish, bless, and
consecrate material to prepare it for ritual use; familiarity with basic
magical tools; familiarity with the Wheel of the Year; ability to cast
and
close a Circle; ability to center, ground, and shield; become proficient
in one
method of divination. The usual time frame for First Degree can be
anywhere
from 1 - 2 years.

A Second Degree initiate has demonstrated that he or she: can safely
lead a
magical working; possesses the willingness and the capacity to minister
to the
needs of others (this includes mediating and counseling); to work within
the
Witch/Wiccan/Pagan community. This time frame can be another 1 -3 years.


A Third Degree initiate has demonstrated that he or she is competent to
lead
his or her own Coven or Circle. This means 'running the whole show'!!
Preparing
rituals, assigning duties, counseling, clergy duties. This time frame
can be
another 1- 3 years.

As I understand it, the 'Wiccan Rede' was never part of the Italian
Witches
belief, and was not part of the Witchery born in Italy. As I am also
given to
understand, in Italy some Strega do not follow the Law of 3 or the Rede.
It was
not part of the Strega beliefs IN Italy hundreds of years ago, therefore
it is
not included now. There are some groups in Italy who have adopted the
Law and
Rede. I believe they in Italy view the Law and Rede as
Wiccan...something more
NEW.

By Fabrisia   http://www.fabrisia.com/intro.htm