Traditions

ITALIAN WORD	ENGLISH WORD

Strega (Stray-gah)	Witch (female)
Stregone (Stray-go-nay)	Witch (male)
Treguenda (Tray-gwen-dah)	Sabbat
Veglione (Vay-yoe-nay)	Esbat
Stregeria (Stray-gare-e-a)	Witchcraft
Boschetto (Bos-ket-oh)	Coven
La Vecchia (La-vek-kia) (slang)	The Craft

Hereditary magick, long traditions, mentioned by Horace C. 30 BCE, Dianic

“Drawing Down the Moon” is very much associated with Strega

Book Of Shadows; can add but cannot change or delete what was handed down.

Charles Leland and the history of Aradia; he was also fascinated by Gypsies, Voodoo, etc.

Raven Grimassi has made his living talking about Strega and Witchcraft.

Janet and Stewart Farrar have done much to educate the public about Witchcraft; they were Alexandrian/reformed Alexandrian for Alexander Sanders initiated them but they did not completely follow his methods. They called themselves merely Witches, preferring not to make distinction

Many books and a source of information for generations of would-be Witches; among those already established—Gardner, Sanders, Crowley

Spirit lamp (alcohol flame); the Lare, traditional witches, being hereditary, Cakes and Ale

Phases of the moon had the name of Diana pronounced differently, so established the Maid, Mother and Crone

High Priestess and High Priest.
There are four degrees, or stages, of attainment, within La Vecchia. The 1st is a time of training and orientation. The 2nd is becoming a Priestess or a Priest of the Old Ways. The 3rd is becoming a High Priestess or High Priest. The 4th is when a person actually dies, and we say that she, or he, has taken 4th Degree.

Over all of the 3 Degrees, is the position of Grimas (Gree-mahs). A Grimas oversees the Tradition as a whole, and is responsible for its preservation. A Grimas makes sure that nothing is ever written out of any ritual material, or edited from any oral teaching. In Italy, this is a much respected position, and a Grimas always has the final word in all matters regarding the preservation of the Ways. This position can be held by either a woman or a man, though for the most part, La Vecchia is a matriarchal system. A High Priestess always has "authority" over that of a High Priest. However, a Grimas (regardless of gender) always has "authority" over the High Priestess, in matters concerning the integrity of the Tradition as a whole. Each Clan has a Grimas, and this is why the Religion has survived intact down through the Ages. Preservation of the Ways of a People requires a structured System. Without this you have, well, look around...

Sex magic is the use of energy raised through sexual union. This is the most condensed and powerful form of energy which can be raised from the human body. Some Craft Traditions employ it in the 3rd Degree Initiation ceremony. In Eastern mystical traditions it is known as Tantra. The ancient Egyptians employed it as well. The energy raised in sex magic is sometimes referred as the kundalini power, or serpent power. The headdress of ancient Egyptian rulers bore a serpent protruding from the forehead of the wearer. This was symbolic of the serpent power having been raised to the 3rd eye, the sign of Divine Union, or samadhi. The kundalini force is seated at the base of the spine and governs the sexual nature of the individual. In magic it is drawn up through each of the Chakra points, to the third eye, employing sexual energy.

There was once a young woman from the town of Volterrra who "traveled far and wide, teaching and preaching the religion of old times, the religion of Diana, the Queen of the Fairies and of the Moon, the Goddess of the poor and the oppressed...and the fame of her wisdom and beauty went forth over all the land, and people worshipped her, calling her La Bella Pellegrina (the beautiful Pilgrim)".

Aradia taught the old pre-Christian Religion of Nature worship, and magic. But above all she taught a Spirituality. Beyond this, she gave hope to peasants whose lives were made miserable in service to the Wealthy. She taught them personal power, and personal value, in an Age when the Church taught them shame and sin, and servitude. Aradia returned their pagan heritage to them, a heritage preserved in secret by courageous Priests and Priestesses of The Old Religion.

Today, we call her The Holy Strega...

Concerning Nature

"Nature is the Great Teacher. In Her are all things revealed. Nature reflects the Higher Ways of Spirit. The Creators established the Laws of Nature so that through them we might come to know the Laws of the Great Ones. Therefore, observe the ways of Nature around you, both great and small. Everything has purpose and reason. Be not confused by its seeming cruelty, for there is a duality in all things.

Respect Nature in all ways. Take only that which you must, from her, and remember nothing may be taken except that something be given (in return). This is the Law for all Witches.

Know that the wind speaks of the knowledge of the Earth, and the spirit of the kindredness of all living things emanates from everywhere. Nature teaches all living things, all that must be known. She teaches birds to make their nests, and animals to hunt, and to survive. She teaches children to crawl, and to walk. She teaches Life.

Once She taught all people of Her ways, but they chose to go their own way. They chose to oppose Her, and to control Her. But for witches there can be no other way than Nature. A witch must live in Harmony with the Forces of Nature". (reprinted from The Book of the Holy Strega)

Concerning The Goddess

The Goddess is the Life Force, in as much as She is the Fertility in all things. It is through Her activity that we are born, and that seeds push up through the earth, and grow into plants. She moves the God to create through His desire for Her. The Goddess is the Joy of Life, She is the passion to live. Compassion, love, gentleness, and kindness are the Essence of Her Spirit. All women carry the Goddess within, in various aspects and degrees.

Yet, there is a duality in all things, and the Goddess can manifest as sterility, vengeance, and destruction. She is the Soul of Nature.

The Goddess rules the Night, and the Moon is Her sacred symbol. All women are linked to Her through the Moon, which influences the flow of blood. The night is the essence of the mystery which all women possess. This is the elusive quality which all women bear, but can never be known, or touched upon. The desire of men for women, is the desire of God for Goddess. It is the attraction of the Life Force.

The Goddess is known as the Queen of Heaven. She is clothed in the stars, and wears the Moon as a Crown. She is the Earth Mother, clothed in green, and endowed with large breasts which rise as rounded hills rise, beyond the lush green meadows. She is pregnant with the Child of Life, which She bears each year. She is the Virgin Maiden, naked and beautiful. She is youth and the lust for life. She is the Enchantress, and Temptress. She is all women. The Goddess does not accept live sacrifice, as was known in ancient times. She is the Goddess of Life, and all living things. She demands respect for Life. If you give offerings in Her honor, then better it be of fruits or grains, or things of beauty (for these things pass life on).

The Goddess is the Queen of all witches, who She calls Her Hidden Children. We are Her servants, She is not ours. She gives us Life and receives us in the Afterworld. She teaches us the ways of Nature, and Spirit. She gives us power and magic. She reveals all mysteries, and gives light to the darkness. And to the Wise, She imparts Her
sacred name.

Concerning The God

The God is known as the stern and demanding aspect of Divinity. Yet this is only an aspect of His Nature. He is perceived as the Death Force, which Transforms. He is Lord of the Afterworld, who restores and renews the soul, which is prepared for a new life. This is performed through the union of the God and Goddess.

Yet, there is a duality in all things, and the God is also Vitality and Strength. He is the Sun, the Lord of Light. He can give Life or Death, through His activity. The God is the desire to create, dwelling in that state prior to creation. Through the attraction of the Goddess, He is moved to create.

He is Lord of the Heavens, clothed in the Sun, and bearing a golden rod. He is Lord of the earth, horned like a stag, and powerful. He is the Lord of the Afterworld, dark and lonely, stern, and Just. For His are the two faces of Janus. Through Him is order established and discipline mastered. He is the inner strength of the individual. He is the essence of strength and defense.

Yet, He is also the warrior, and the destroyer. He is Power and Will. All men bear His essence, in various aspects and degrees. He is all men.

There is a side of the God, which can be seen by those who desire to love Him. It is a gentleness, a compassion, and an understanding. This comes from His awareness of His Strength and Power. His compassion is born of His understanding of Justice. His nobility can be seen in the soaring of a hawk, or in the beauty of a great Stag keeping watch over his herd.

The God is sexual desire and virility within the male. He is attraction, sensuality, and sexuality. He is physical nature, just as the Goddess is spiritual nature.

In death, He is the comforter, and the renewer. He is the Great Initiator, and Teacher. He rules the Afterworld, and dispels the darkness with His presence. He is the illuminator, and reveals all that is hidden. He scatters all falsehoods, and establishes Truth.

The Lasa And The Lare

In the Aridian Tradition, the Lasa are an Elven or Fay Race. They are the spirits of The Old Religion. The Lare (lar-ray) are the spirits of the Witch Clan (a type of ancestral spirit). I would not say that the Lare represent the next level for the Human Soul, but it is possible that one may serve as a Lare (for a time) following the Death experience. According to the Teachings, when our physical bodies die, our soul dwells in the Realm of Luna, while preparing for the next life. During this time, it is possible that the soul may serve the needs of those souls still dwelling upon the Earth, as one of the Lare.

The Teachings tell us that our soul will either be prepared for another physical body, or for a body of Light, depending upon our evolution as a spiritual Being. There are four possible bodies, in which the Soul may exist. The Physical, Lunar, Solar, and Stellar. Each represents a stage of advancement, and corresponds to one of the Four Worlds, which comprise Existence (as we understand it).

It is a bit complicated to go into here, but the Lasa are connected to the Witch Clan, and many witches were once of the Lasa Race, prior to being born Human. This is where the "Fairy Godmother" concept originated. It is a remnant of the old teaching, in which the Witch Clans are related to the old Fay Race, and have contact with them through a Fay Guardian (or Fairy Godmother). This is why many witches are born into Witch Clans, with their psychic abilities already functioning (makes training a great deal easier).

Preservation Of The Old Ways

It is one of our Laws, within the Aridian Tradition, that nothing may ever be deleted from any ritual or oral teaching. Material may be added to a ritual, or an oral teaching may be expanded, but nothing of the original may ever be removed. Because situations change with time, the Laws do allow us to add and adapt, as needs be. When looking over the material, it is easy to see the different Time Periods, and needs of the people, reflected in the rituals and Teachings.

Therefore, when you look at the Aridian Material, you will see things which reflect the days of hunting, and the days of planting & harvesting. Everything from Hunting Magic, to blessing seeds and fields, still exist in our ritual material. This current Era we live in, will leave information regarding Aids and other concerns of our People, imprinted upon our rituals, down to the Generations which will follow us. Each addition is marked with a symbol, so that it is clear what was added, so that a History of the adaptations may be discerned.

Because we believe in a living connection with our ancestors, we still perform those aspects of the rituals, which may seem out of place to us. Many of us no longer Hunt or plow fields for planting, or copulate in the fresh furrows to encourage an abundant crop. But these rites are still preserved, and we adapt them to our modern needs. For despite our so-called progress as a Race, our basic needs are still the same: Food, Shelter, Safety, Sex, Family, Love, and Purpose.

So, the ritual for an abundant crop is performed for the abundance which our own labors may bring. Fertility rites are performed for our own Family needs, and to return the Essence of Fertility back into a dying World. Because our World is so overcrowded, many Systems feel that Fertility Rites are obsolete. What they do not understand is that it was part of the ancient rites to help "empower" the soil and the plant & animal Life with the condensed energy of Fertility raised within a Circle of Magic. The personal fertility of the Clan, was secondary. Unfortunately, many modern groups have removed all of the sexual energy producing aspects from the rituals, and replaced them with symbolic gestures. While this may appeal to the intellect, and ease personal sexual inhibitions, it does not serve Nature. Because of Judaic-Christian condemnations, many modern groups have abandoned the old Ways of the Nature Religion, and profess a non-sexuality regarding this ancient Fertility Cult. In the Aridian Tradition we do not apologize for preserving our Heritage, and we are proud of the differences between us and Judaic-Christian groups. We have adapted the sexual aspects, to our modern society (and modern concerns regarding sexual issues) but they are still quite plainly visible within the ritual material.

It is a challenge to preserve the old Traditions, and yet to adapt to modern circumstances, without compromising the integrity of either.

The Benandanti

There is an interesting book, written by an Italian Professor (Medieval Italian History) named Carlo Ginzburg, the title of which is NIGHT BATTLES (available in English). Based on official Inquisition archives from the 16th & 17th centuries, this is a unique study of an isolated Italian peasant culture deeply rooted in early European Fertility Cults. It deals with a group of witches who called themselves the Benandanti (good walkers). On four ritual occasions of the year, they battled with the Malandanti (evil walkers) in a conflict over the Crops. This Cult was first discovered by the Church in 1575. At first the Benandanti insisted that they went out in the service of Christ, but later admitted to being a Witch Cult. One of the Inquisitors recorded the following "confession": " I am a benandante because I go with the others to fight four times a year, that is during the Ember Days, at night; I go invisibly in spirit and the body remains behind; we go forth in the service of Christ, and the witches of the devil; we fight each other, we with bundles of fennel and they with sorghum stalks...in the fighting that we do, one time we fight over the wheat and all the other grains, another time over livestock, and at other times over the vineyards. And so, on four occasions we fight over all the fruits of the earth and for those things won by the Benandanti that year there is abundance".

It is interesting to note the reference to astral travel and the protection (behind the scenes) of the Crops and Livestock.

This ritual has been preserved among the Hereditary Clans, and is still an aspect of all ritual gatherings. It is the oldest of our "laws" that nothing may be removed from the Teachings, so we still keep the Old Ways alive (we can add to our material, but we cannot remove anything). In Italy, Strega Liquore has been used as the Spirit Flame liquid, since it was first distilled in 1873. Originally the recipe was sold to the Alberti family, by some Strega (Italian for witch), with the exception of one certain ingredient. Before this, a liquid made from a mixture of distilled grape wine, and distilled grain, was the basis for the Spirit Flame liquid. It was quite similar to Brandy, which was first distilled around 100 AD

Scenes showing fermentation appear on pottery made in Mesopotamia as early as 4200 BC The earliest forms of Spirit Flame Liquid would have been a fermented substance, followed later by ones which were distilled. I am not at liberty to go into the individual ingredients, unfortunately. However, Strega Liquore is about as close as one can get without being initiated.

If the Spirit Flame was used outside of Italy, I am unaware of it. But I would be happy to know that others had this Tradition as well. (Raven Grimassi)

The Charge of the Goddess

"Whenever you have need of anything, once in the month, when the moon is full, gather then in secret and give worship to She who is the Queen of all witches. Gather into the sacred circle, and secrets that are as yet unknown shall be revealed to you. And you shall be free in mind, body, and spirit. And as a sign that you are truly free, you shall be naked in your rites. Then shall you sing, dance, feast, and make music and love. For such pleasures are the rituals of the Goddess. Be true to your beliefs, and keep to the Old Ways beyond all obstacles. For our Ways are the keys to the Mysteries, and the Essence of the Cycles of Return. In life does the Queen of all witches reveal the knowledge of the Spirit. And from Death does She deliver you unto Peace, and renew you once again. In memory of me, shall you eat cakes of grain, wine, salt, and honey. These shall you shape like the Moon. Then shall you bless them in my name, and partake of them within your sacred gatherings. For I am the Spirit of all Witches. Unto all who observe the appointed times, will the Queen of Heaven give power. And you shall know success in love, and have power to bless and to consecrate. And you shall know the tongue of the spirits, obtain knowledge of things which are hidden, and call forth spirits from the Mist. You shall know the Voice of the Wind, and the knowledge of changing forms. To you shall secret signs be revealed, and you shall possess power to heal. Wild beasts shall know you, and cause you no harm. As it was in the Time of our beginning, so is it now, so shall it be".

(Three-Fold Law) The Holy Strega spoke of this when she said :

"Every act which you perform will draw to itself three times the nature of the act. Such is the Law. This affects not only the acts of each day, but reaches into the Future as well. Here the Law establishes those debts which must be paid. Therefore, consider well your actions. Nothing escapes the Law, nor is hidden from it. The Law does not punish or reward. It only returns the intent of each action to its origin. If you step off from a high place, you will fall, and this is consistent. There is no intent, there is nothing good or evil. It may be good to leap upon your enemy from a high place, and surprise him, or it may be bad to fall and be injured. But the nature of the descent itself is only a Law. So too is the nature of the Law of Return".

These gifts are commonly referred to, today, as the traditional powers of Witchcraft.

To bring success in matters of love
To bless and consecrate
To speak with spirits
To know of Hidden Things
To call forth spirits
To know Secret Signs
To possess the Knowledge of changing forms
To possess the Knowledge of Divination
To know secret signs
To cure disease
To bring forth beauty
To have influence over wild beasts
To know the secrets of the hands

Invocation to Aradia

Hail, Aradia! From the Amalthean horn
Pour forth thy store of love; I lowly bend
Before thee, I adore thee to the end
With loving sacrifice thy shrine adorn.
Thy foot is to my lip, my prayer upborns
Upon the rising incense-smoke; then spend
Thine ancient love, O Mighty One, descend
To aid me, who without thee am forlorn. (from The Witches' Goddess, by Janet and Stewart Farrar)

The Nanta Bag

In our Tradition we have a "spirit pouch", which I would like to share with you. In it's present form it is said to come from 14th Century Italy, during the time of Aradia. The wearing of such a pouch, however, certainly goes much back in Human history. The purpose of the pouch is to keep one in harmony with Nature and the Spirit World. It also serves as a "portable altar" for practicing the Craft. It is said that these type of pouches were carried by the followers of Aradia, during the time of "Wandering".

The pouch is usually about the size of the average paperback book. In it are placed the following objects:

a large sewing needle

a thimble

a coin (with a pentagram etched on it)

a small twig

This first group of items serves as miniature ritual tools. The needle is the Athame, the thimble is the Chalice, the coin is the Pentacle, and the twig is the Wand. To these items are also added:

a shell (to represent the Goddess)

a piece of antler horn (to represent the God)

two small candles (for altar candles)

ground herbs (for incense)

a portion of salt (for purification)

a small vessel of anointing oil

a measure of cord (9 feet)

a small finger bowl (for the spirit flame)

Finally the pouch is completed with the addition of these items:

a small stone, smooth and rounded (to represent Earth)

a small feather (to represent the element of Air)

a small portion of ash (to represent the Fire Element)

a small vessel of pure water (representing same)

The principle of Contagion Magic was the foundation for empowering the pouch. Basically this means that objects absorb power and have an energy field around them (their "numen' or "mana"). When one object is placed with another, then these objects are joined and influence one another. The Nanta Bag in turn, has a contagion influence upon the person who carries it (in direction proportion to those items inside the pouch). This bag is usually carried by a Priestess or a Priest of The Old Religion. With it they can bless, consecrate, heal, and work magic and rituals. In the Aridian Tradition we also place any power objects which we collect from time to time. Gifts of a crystal or other small objects, from people whose power we respect are also placed in the bag. Thus the bag begins to take on a great deal of Numen or Mana.

Originally, of course, these pouches were made from animal skins. Some were Deerskin and some were Wolfskin. The Book of Ways does not specify any type of material. Most of our Initiates use a cotton or silk material. The colors do vary, and again the Book of Ways does not specify. I have some Initiates who use a leather fannypack. These are practical and can be easily worn in public, without anyone giving you the evil-eye. Synthetic materials would, of course, be inappropriate.

Using The Nanta Bag

Once completed, as outlined in the previous note, the Nanta is ready to be consecrated. Begin by presenting the pouch (filled with the objects) to the four quarters, saying "Blessed be by the spirits of the East", and continuing with the spirits of the South, West, and North. Next bless the pouch by touching it to each of the elements (using the elemental bowls as mentioned in my first note). Always begin with the East/Air element. A gesture of power is then made over the pouch, or you can trace a crescent or pentagram on it. Once completed, say these words over the bag:

"O'Great Nanta,
bless and empower this pouch
and all within it,
making it a bridge to Power.
I am linked to Thee
and thou art linked to Nature.
We are One from three.
We are the Triangle manifest.
In the names of Diana and Dianus,
so be it done"

When using the pouch, the bag itself serves as the altar, upon which the objects inside may be placed. Feel free to add other objects to the bag, which you may find useful. Some of our initiates do have rather large Nanta bags! The Nanta Bag is a very useful tool which allows you to have access to complete set of rituals tools at any time. Our Priests and Priestesses carry them either on their person, or in their cars, etc. Once we were driving along and saw a dog get hit by a car. We all jumped out and grabbed a Nanta Bag. As the dog was dying we blessed it with an oil, and performed a simple ritual for its spirit to pass in peace. The look on the faces of the bystanders was truly priceless!

FROM: RAVEN GRIMASSI
"Nanta" is a powerful spirit, associated with the Earth and with Nature (as a Whole). It is considered a "name of Power". It is not an Italian word, and it's origin most likely is even pre-Etruscan.

Raising A Plant Familiar

The purpose of this technique is to raise, or grow, a plant as a "familiar" (serving spirit) or as a magical plant. In ancient times, a small circle of stones was set around the chosen plant, to "bind" the numen there. Then a hole was dug down toward the roots (carefully) and a chosen power stone was set in place, to "charge" the plant.

Today the technique has been expanded, but is still true to the original intent. You can begin with a seed, or young sprout. Simply prepare the soil for planting, in a secluded area, which is suited to the physical needs of the plant. Place a stone or crystal of your choice about three inches deep into the soil. Quartz crystals are a good choice, but you may wish to consult a table of correspondences for various stones, etc. Next fill in the soil over the stone, and plant the seed (or sprout) as is appropriate. Then lay a circle of 8 stones around the plant site. At each of the four elemental quarters place a crystal of the same type as the one you buried (these four are part of the 8 forming the circle). The other stones may be of any kind you wish, as long as they compliment each other, in relationship to their occult nature. Space the stones to allow for the growth of the plant.

I will give two techniques for the raising of a plant familiar. These will show you how to establish contact with the plant numen, and how to communicate your purposes to the plant familiar. In this way the plant will become charged, and conscious of your needs. Then you will have a physical and spiritual helper, for your works of magic and healing.

This technique is important to magical work involving herbs. Dry herbs in an herb store are not charged (in most cases) and can only serve through their remaining physical properties. There is, however, the placebo effect to consider, as well as coincidence, and self-delusion. These have been used successfully for quite some time. I will not deal with these here, as most popular Authors are doing an excellent job of passing this off on us as authentic spells.

I intend to give you the actual techniques which empower herbs, and whose effects were the basis for the powers attributed to herbs from ancient times. No Con, just the facts.

Method 1: If planting by seed, wait 7 days after the sprout appears to proceed with the following (if a young plant, wait 7 days after planting it). Remove the stones between the quarter stones, and plant a seed at each point. Next bury the quarter stones where they lay, at least an inch deep. The seeds may be of the same type as the plant within the circle, or an assortment. Each day, place both palms upon the ground within the circle, forming a triangle with fingertips (index fingers touching & thumbs touching). The stem of the plant will be in the open area of the triangle, centered between your hands.

Using your imagination & visualization abilities, sense your power flowing out through your arms, from your personal power center (just below the navel for women, and at the solar plexus for men). You must also talk to the plant and send it visuals, communicating your needs and desires through mental images. You must take good care of the plant from this point on, and keep it from harm. To create a strong bond with your plant familiar, you can add 3 drops of your own blood to a quart of water, and use this to water the plant as needed.

Magically, you have first increased the level of the numen through the crystals. Secondly, you have extended its power and influence to the other plants. This is because these plants became alive under the influence of the center crystal and plant. They were also bathed in a cross quarter current of energy, controlled from the center entity, through the quarter crystals. If you need the physical parts an herb for your spells, potions or whatever, then use only the plants enclosed within the original circle of stones, and never the center plant. The center plant IS the familiar, and the others are merely extensions of it.

The final step in creating this plant familiar, is to establish your "link" and your "rapport". To do this, you must sit comfortably before the plant, and stare at it. Allow your eyes to lose focus and your vision to blur. In this state, observe the shape of the plant, trying to leave your mind blank. The plant will "send" you an image as you stare. You will receive this as a distortion of the plant's shape, so that it will begin to resemble some other creature such as an animal or an insect. This new shape is the spirit of the plant, and you will employ this image as you work with the familiar.

The familiar can give you extra power in any magical work, whenever you summon it. "House plants" can become protective entities for your home through plant magic. Plants can be given as gifts, charged for a special purpose.

To summon the familiar, you simply imagine your plant in it's setting, and visualize it becoming the spirit creature. Mentally call it to yourself, and allow it to enter into your personal power center.

To empower through the familiar, mentally send in into any herbs which you are charging (instructing it as to the desired effect) and imagine that it passes power to them, imagine them glowing after contact with the familiar. When you are finished, always return the familiar to the plant.

Names of the Moon:

October:	Hunter's Moon
November:	Larder Moon
December:	Long Night Moon
January:	Winter Moon
February:	Wolf Moon
March:	Raven Moon
April:	Meadow Moon
May:	Flower Moon
June:	Rose Moon
July:	Antler Moon
August:	Piscary Moon
September:	Harvest Moon