The Roots of Italian Witchcraft

by | Sep 22, 2021 | Stregheria

The origins of Italian Witchcraft go deeply into the past of the pre-Christian era. The earliest forms were no doubt rooted in primitive ideas about magic and spirit beings. But over time the concepts comprising Italian Witchcraft evolved. As elements of foreign...

Mediterranean / Aegean Parallels in Modern Wicca

by | Sep 22, 2021 | Stregheria

The Four Ritual Tools In modern Witchcraft (and Wicca) we often find the inclusion of what is commonly referred to as the “four tools of Western occultism.”  These are the pentacle, wand, dagger, and chalice.  It is interesting to note that in...

Lake Nemi

by | Sep 22, 2021 | Stregheria

  Lake Nemi was the ancient site of the temple of Diana, which stood on the northeast shore.  The original temple was damaged in an earthquake and was rebuilt around 500 BC.  Little remains visible today.  Surrounding the lake were the sacred woods of Diana,...

Neapolitan Witchcraft

by | Sep 22, 2021 | Stregheria

Folklorist J.B. Andrews wrote the following article on Neapolitan Witchcraft in 1897.  Although typical in many ways of the stereotype depiction of Witchcraft, the article does present some valuable elements obtained by Andrews directly from native Italians who...

Medieval Mural and its tale of Witches

by | Sep 22, 2021 | Stregheria

A mural that has recently come to light in Tuscany has been identified by a British university lecturer as the earliest surviving representation of witchcraft in Christian Europe.   A book published in Italy by George Ferzoco (director of the center for Tuscan studies...