Full Description
Trace the roots of the Italian Pagan tradition as it survives the times, confronted by Christianity, revived in the 14th century by the Holy Strega and passed on as the legend of Aradia to the present day. Explore the secrets of Janarra (lunar) witches, Tanarra (star) witches and Fanarra (ley line) witches. Their ancient wisdoms come together here for both theoretical understanding and everyday practice. Readers will learn the gospel of Aradia and the powerful practice of "casting shadows", an ancient tradition only now available to the public.
Contents
Contents
Preface to Second Edition ix
Preface to First Edition xi
Introduction xv
Part 1: An Overview
1 Beliefs of the Strega 3
2 Italian Witchcraft 9
3 Festivals of the Seasons 25
4 Tuscan Witchcraft 33
5 The Moon and Witchcraft 49
6 Catholicism and the Craft 57
7 The Watchers 67
8 The Powers of Light and Darkness 73
9 Leland, Gardner, and Frazer 87
Part 2: The Workbook
10 The Tools and Symbols of Stregheria 95
11 Raising and Drawing Power 109
12 The Aridian Rituals 119
13 The Rites of Community 165
14 The Art of Magick 177
15 The Art of Casting Spells 185
16 Moon Magick 203
17 Herbs and Witchcraft 221
18 Starlore and Magick 233
19 Shadow Magick 241
Part 3: Aradia and the Teachings
20 The Strega's Story 249
21 The Teachings of the Holy Strega 259
22 Conclusion 275
Part 4: Appendices
A Comparison of Wiccan Aspects with Leland's Italian Witchcraft 281
B Charles Leland 286
C Befana 291
D The Myth of Diana 293
E The Mythos 296
F The Gifts of Aradia and Tenets of Belief 299
Glossary 301
Selected Bibliography 304
Index 307
