earth-based religions

I bought this book after quickly skimming a couple of pages, and as a language buff, grabbed it for the prayers in Italian. Was I surprised to find Diana sleeping with her "brother," Lucifer (yes, the Christian lord of Hell- talk about a mixed mythology!), spells powered by threats to the divinities invoked, encouragement of curses and poisoning, among other strangeness. Now, I'm sure many Strega in Northern Italy did practice this mix of old religion and twisted Christianity, but this is neither "gospel" nor representative of modern Witches. It's like saying Native South Americans practiced Santeria as a pure derivation from their ancient religions. This has a lot of interesting historical implications about the mutations of myth, and is great as a comparison to Strega and Wicca, but should be read with a critical eye. This is a compilation of Northern Italian folk tales, charms, and invocations. The tradition is maybe best described as Italian Voodou- a mix of ancient religions and Christianity, but so different from either as to be something entirely unique. An excellent read for the advanced practitioner, but probably confusing for the novice, and potentially misleading for the non-witch. Also, this may be one of the sources the fundamentalists use to "prove" that Witchcraft is satanic in nature, because of the title. Sigh. Overall: myth/historically fascinating, but confusing and potentially troublesome.

This book, written in the late 1800's, is the answer to those in the Craft who believe all modern witchcraft stems from Gerald Gardener. It is clear from this book that although Doreen Valiente is credited with the Charge of the Goddess and other staples of modern witchcraft, these credos had their origins in Strega, and Strega is witchcraft that has fragments that have survived from Etruscan times. Strega survived the Inquisition. (See "Night Battles.")

True, modern witchcraft has a strong connection to Gardener, Valiente, Crowley, Fortune and the Golden Dawn, which has its roots in Masonic practices. Gardnerian witchcraft is a hybrid religious practice, and even Gerald Gardener never made any claims to the contrary.

The newer version, edited by an Itallian folklorist, claims that the original Italian-English translation misinterprets some idioms and that may be true. In order to keep the meter and rhyme of the verse, some poetic license had to have been taken, and in looking at the Italian, I think that this is probable. I have not yet read the newer version, but look forward to doing so for the editorial comments. This book is a must for any British traditionalist.

I have been a witch over 13 years and I am a big fan of Charles Leland. This book I am not. It has very little truth to it. Mr. Leland got the text from someone who wanted to abuse the craft with lies. This is a Christian book. That is put in a way to please the church. Witches do not belive in satan, though to this book. The horned god is satan himself. Aradia is said to make comments that would have gotten her killed on the spot. I NEVER threaten the goddess. Again we have many areas saying we do this. There is not enough room to go through it all. You can get free copies from websites all over if you must read it. If you do think about what it is saying and you can easy see it for what it is. A preverted vesion of what should of been sacred.