The Book of the Holy Strega


Book Description

Old legends tell of a powerful witch who lived and taught in 14th century Italy. She was known as Aradia, and by the titles The Beautiful Pilgrim, and The Holy Strega. But was Aradia a real person, and is there any true basis for her legends? Pagan scholar Raven Grimassi explores this and many other questions in this new revised edition (greatly expanded from the 1981 published version of The Book of the Holy Strega). The Book of the Holy Strega is a seminal work that brings together historical and folkloric sources. Grimassi delivers a ground-breaking view of the misconceptions of "historical witchcraft" and presents a refreshing approach to understanding how fantasy became regarded as fact. Revealed in this one volume is the role of the Church in distorting witchcraft and promoting its contrived vision for political purposes. Discover the truth about the denied culture of the witch. Examine the elements that joined together to form the witches' gospel. The journey of exploration in the sub-culture of the witch is well guided in this pioneering text. Grimassi reveals his own hand in assembling the published versions of the Book of the Holy Strega, and he provides the reader with an overview of the evolution of these writings. Here you will see the gospel of the witches through the eyes of those who have honored it in the past, and how it continues to speak to each new generation.




Ways of the Strega


Book Description

Discover, for the first time in one complete work, the rich legacy of magick and ritual handed down by Italian witches through the generations. Ways of the Strega reclaims the beliefs and practices of southern European Pagan spirituality. Learn the secrets of Janarra (lunar) witches, Tanarra (star) witches, and Fanarra (ley lines) witches. This book also details the how-to's of modern Strega traditions.




Italian Witchcraft


Book Description

Italian Witchcraft (previously titled Ways of the Strega) by respected author Raven Grimassi is more than just a book about Witchcraft. It is a complete Book of Shadows. In it you will find the history of this ancient tradition, its legends and myths, as well as the rituals and rites that you can do today. You can be a Strega! The book includes a full set of rituals that you can do. You'll find rituals for all of the Italian Witchcraft holidays including Shadow Fest, Lupercus, Tana's Day and more. You'll also find rituals for the Full Moon, births, funerals. There is a practical side to this book, too. It is filled with instructions so that you can cast spells and work with the powers of incense, oils, herbs, and candles. You'll learn to work with the magick of the Moon and Stars. You'll be able to do protection rituals and learn how to cure someone who has received the "Malocchio" (Evil Eye). Many of the mysteries revealed here have never been published before. You'll learn secret gestures of power and secret symbols. And you can use them all! Also revealed are the secrets of the tools of the Italian Witch. You'll learn how to prepare the "Spirit Blade" and the ritual wand. You'll learn how to make the Spirit Bowl and use to consecrate other tools and talismans. If you're looking to discover real Witchcraft, or if you're already a Witch but are thinking about other traditions, this is the book for you.




The Book of Ways


Book Description

A classic text from the Golden age of WitchcraftThe Book of Ways Volumes 1 and 2 Known as "The Blue Books" by many!TOOLS AND SYMBOLS: Initiation Symbols, Current Or Modern Symbols, Symbols Of The Elements, Symbol Of The Age Of The Daughter, The Quarter PentagramsPREPARATION OF THE TOOLS: The Moon Dagger, The Wand, The Chalice, The Altar Pentacle, The Spirit Bowl And The Protective PentagramRITUAL CORRESPONDENCES: Ritual Considerations Of The Moon, Symbols, Days Of The Week, Planetary Symbols And Influences, Lunar Influences, Correspondences Of The Days Of The Week, Planetary Symbols, Planetary Hour Chart, Occult Symbolism Of Colors, Candle Magic, Elemental Magic, Ritual Magic, Planetary Colors, Incense (Aromatics), Planetary Symbols, Sacred Trees, The Four Quarters, Elemental Spirits, Ruling Watchers Of The Quarters, The Circle Of Magic, The Three Degrees, Preparation Of The Altar, The Elemental Bowls, The Altar Spirit Fluid, Activating The Power Upon The Altar, The Altar Calls, Consecration To The Elements, Opening And Closing The Circle, Casting A Ritual Circle, The Gatherings (Or Sabbats), The Gestures And Positions Of Power, Ritual Salutations, Ritual Gestures, The Gesture Of InvocationRECIPES AND FORMULAS: The Witches' Brew, Crescent Cakes, NectarHOW TO PREPARE AROMATIC OILS AND RECIPES: Venus Incense And Oil, Sun Incense And Oil, Incense Of The Moon, Sun God Incense, Moon Goddess IncensePRACTICAL (APPLIED MAGIC): Preparation Of Magical Moon Water, Elemental Condensers, Absorption And Projection Of Elements Magic: Creation Of A Simple Thought Form, Cord Magic (Solitary), Group Cord Magic, Divination, Astral Projection, Psychometry, Drawing Down The Moon, Contacting Power, Grounding Exercise, Raising The Energy Sphere, Energy Bathing, Patching The Aura Or Charging The Energy Zones Of The Body, Spells And Little Works Of Magic, Preface To The Spells, The Art Of Composing Verse For Evocation, A Spell Of The Mind, Spells Of Mental Influence, Spell Of The Moon, Preparation Of The Nanta Bag, A Lemon Spell, Protective Pentagram SpellHERBAL LORE AND SPELLS: The Gathering Of Herbs, The Occult Properties Of Herbs, Herbal Love SpellOCCULT FUNDAMENTALS: The Principle Of Mentalism, Correspondence, Vibration Or Rhythm, Polarity And The Principle Of Cause And Effect. The Elements, The Watchers, Numerology, The Magic Of Numbers, Thought-Forms, The Akashic RecordsAND SO MUCH MORE!




Hereditary Witchcraft


Book Description

Discover the real sources of many of the traditions, beliefs, and techniques of modern Witchcraft! And what author Raven Grimassi reveals in Hereditary Witchcraft is the documented ancient roots of the Old Religion. One-by-one, Grimassi goes through the tenets of Witchcraft and shows their ancient sources. The association of the pentagram with Witchcraft goes back at least 2,500 years. The idea of the four elements goes back to a philosopher named Empedocles of Sicily in around 475 B.C.E. The practice of many covens today of having a Priestess, Priest, and Maiden can be traced back over 2,000 years to ancient Pompeii. This book is filled with history, myth, and folklore. But it is also filled with rituals and techniques that you can do. On these pages you will learn how to prepare and banish a magic circle. You'll learn rituals you can do by yourself, including those for the Solstices, Diana's Day, and Cornucopia. With this information you can become a follower of the Old Ways! Of course, one of the most famous aspects of Witchcraft is magick. Grimassi doesn't disappoint here, either. You'll learn runic magick and divination; you'll learn about doing magick with the Moon and stars; you'll learn secret symbols and the powers of herbs. If you are a Witch--or you're thinking about becoming a Witch--this is one of the most important books you could possibly have. You'll find the documentation to support the antiquity of your beliefs and the way Witchcraft is practiced today. This book is both a guide for everyday life and a resource to discover Wiccan origins. If you don't have a copy of this book, get one today. You'll use it for the rest of your life.




Christopher: The Holy Giant


Book Description

A stunning picture-book interpretation of the legend of St. Christopher Because of his stature, Reprobus the giant sets off to serve the most powerful ruler in the world. At one point during his travels, the giant uses his impressive strength to carry travelers across a fast-flowing river. One stormy night, he risks his life to help a small child across. With each step, the river rises higher, the wind blows harder, and his passenger grows heavier. Finally safe on the other side, the child reveals that he is Jesus, and renames Reprobus “Christopher,” or “Bearer-of-Christ.” Stunning illustrations accompany the dramatic text in this picture book portrayal of the legend of Christopher. This fixed-layout ebook, which preserves the design and layout of the original print book, features read-along narration by the author.




The Clown of God


Book Description

This beautiful new edition of Tomie dePaola’s 1978 classic retelling of a French legend stars a little juggler whose unique talent leads him to what might be a Christmas miracle. Little Giovanni is poor and homeless, but he can do something wonderful: he can juggle. The people of Sorrento marvel at his talents, and before long, he becomes famous throughout Italy for his rainbow of colored balls that delight the nobility and townspeople alike. But as the years pass, Giovanni grows old, and his talents begin to fail him. No longer a celebrated performer, he is once again poor and homeless, begging for his food. Until one Christmas Eve, when Giovanni picks up his rainbow of colored balls once more. And what happens next just might be a miracle…




The Legend of the Poinsettia


Book Description

In Mexico, the poinsettia is called flor de la Nochebuenao flower of the Holy Night. At Christmastime, the flower blooms and flourishes, the quite exquisite red stars lighting up the countryside. This Mexican legend tells how the poinsettia came to be, through a little girl's unselfish gift to the Christ Child. Beloved Newbery honor-winning author and Caldecott honor-winning illustrator Tomie dePaola has embraced the legend using his own special feeling for Christmas. His glorious paintings capture not only the brilliant colors of Mexico and its art, but also the excitement of the children preparing for Christmas and the hope of Lucida, who comes to see what makes a gift truly beautiful.




Italian Folk Magic


Book Description

In this fascinating journey through the magical, folkloric, and healing traditions of Italy the reader learns uniquely Italian methods of magical protection and divination and spells for love, sex, control, and revenge. "Mary-Grace Fahrun's Italian Folk Magic is an intimate journey into the heart of Italian folk magical practices as they are lived every day. Having grown up in an extended Italian family in North America and Italy, the author presents us with the stories, characters, saints, charms, and prayers that form the core of folk religion, setting them in context in an authentic, down-to-earth, and humorous voice. A delight to read!"—Sabina Magliocco, Professor of Anthropology, University of British Columbia Italian Folk Magiccontains: magical and religious rituals prayers divination techniques crafting blessing rituals witchcraft The author also explores the evil eye, known as malocchio in Italian, explaining what it is, where it comes from, and, crucially, how to get rid of it. This book can help Italians regain their magical heritage, but Italian folk magic is a beautiful, powerful, and effective magical tradition that is accessible to anyone who wants to learn it.




Encyclopedia of Wicca & Witchcraft


Book Description

Grimassi has written extensively about Wicca, and Llewellyn specializes in books sympathetic to occult ways, so the combination is pretty predictable. He describes not only the usual magic practices, but also the religious and spiritual aspects of what believers say is inherited ancient European wisdom and scoffers say is made-up, new-age nonsense. Annotation copyrighted by Book News, Inc., Portland, OR