The Legend Of Aradia

In 1508 AD the Italian Inquisitor Bernardo Rategno (having studied witch trial records preserved in the archives of the Inquisition at Como) wrote a text called the Tractatus de Strigibus. In this text he states that the " witches sect" had begun to expand 150 years earlier. This would place the "expansion" about 1350 (14th Century Italy). What caused this to happen ? Well, the answer may be found in the old legend called The Legend of the Beautiful Pilgrim. This legend can be found in author Charles Leland's notes for his book: Aradia, gospel of the witches.

According to this story, there once was a young woman from the town of Volterra 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". Leland goes on to say "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). In the Aridian Tradition we refer to Aradia as The Holy Strega (pronounced Stray-gah, meaning witch) and we honor her memory. We do not worship her.

According to our teachings, Aradia formed covens (called groves) in central Italy during the 14th Century. She taught the Old Religion of Nature, and of 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 class. She taught them personal power, and personal value, in an Age when the Church taught shame and sin, and servitude. Aradia returned their beautiful pagan heritage to them, a heritage which was preserved in secret by courageous Priests and Priestesses of The Old Religion. Aradia taught harmony with Nature, and directed her followers to merge with Nature through seasonal rites, and ritual observation of the Full Moon (times of planetary power).

Charles Leland's version of Aradia, is not the original version. It has little to do with the Aradia I have addressed here. His work is a Christianized view of Aradia, and does not reflect the beliefs, or practices, of Hereditary Italian Witches. So, if you chose to read his book, bear in mind that he and I are NOT speaking of the same Aradia. His account of the Legend given here, is the only thing I can agree with in his book. The rest of his book does not show Aradia in a positive light.

The Gifts Of Aradia
In the 14th Century, Aradia taught that certain powers could be obtained through following The Old Religion. Aradia called them "gifts" because she stressed that these powers were side benefits of adhering to the Old Ways, and not the reason for becoming a witch. These gifts are commonly referred to, today, as the traditional powers of Witchcraft.

1.To bring success in matters of love
2.To bless and consecrate
3.To speak with spirits
4.To know of Hidden Things
5.To call forth spirits
6.To know Secret Signs
7.To possess the Knowledge of changing forms
8.To possess the Knowledge of Divination
9.To know secret signs
10.To cure disease
11.To bring forth beauty
12.To have influence over wild beasts
13.To know the secrets of the hands
Aradia taught that a witch must observe the Seasonal Rites and the time of the Full Moon, in order to keep these powers.

The Beautiful Pilgrim
In 1508 AD, the Italian Inquisitor Bernardo Rategno (having studied witch trial records preserved in the archives of the Inquisition at Como) wrote a text called the Tractatus de Strigibus. In this text he states that the "witches sect" had begun to expand rapidly 150 years earlier. This would place the "expansion" in the mid 1300's. What caused this to happen ? The answer may lay hidden in the Legend of La Bella Pellegrina (the beautiful Pilgrim). This legend appears in Charles Leland's research material (1887), and was even then considered a very old legend. According to this story, there was a young woman from the town of Volterra, 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, Goddess of the poor and the oppressed". Leland goes on to say "and the fame of her wisdom and beauty went forth over all the land, and people worshipped her, calling her The Beautiful Pilgrim". This legend appears in his book ARADIA, GOSPEL OF THE WITCHES. The book itself is not really very good, but does contain some interesting bits of Lore. In my Tradition we do have the legend of Aradia, but she differs from the Aradia presented in Leland's book (not from this legend, but from his portrayal of her character). In my Tradition, Aradia was a great teacher who brought about a "revival" of The Old Religion, in 14th Century Italy. We honor her memory, but we do not worship her. We call her The Holy Strega . Strega (pronounced stray-gah) is the Italian word for Witch. Aradia taught that certain "powers" would be gained through the practice of The Old Religion, if one was truly dedicated. These are the "traditional" powers of which she spoke:

To bring success in love
to bless and consecrate
to speak with spirits
to know of hidden things
to call forth spirits
to know the voice of the wind
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 hand

In my tradition it is that taught we are descended from those covens which Aradia established in the 14th Century.

Celebrations Of The Year
In Italy, witches do not use the word Sabbat for their seasonal rites. The Italian word is Treguenda (pronounced tray-gwen-dah) and is similar in meaning to Sabbat. Webster's dictionary lists Sabbat as old French for Sabbath (old English as well). The word Sabbatical is shown to mean "of or suited to the Sabbath" and "a period of rest that occurs in regular cycles". The word Treguenda has as its root the word Tregua, which means "a respite, or a truce". It is interesting to note that "Tregua" (tray-gwah) is also slang for the Full Moon Ceremony. The actual word for the Full Moon Ceremony is Veglione (pronounced Vay-yoe-nay), and literally means to dance all night. Veglione is also the name of a popular folk dance in Italy.

In early times the followers of The Old Religion were farmers and craftsmen. Their lives were largely spent in toil. Their Religion provided times in which they could set aside their work, and enjoy a social and spiritual celebration. These Festivals were indeed "respites" or "periods of rest occurring in regular cycles".

In The Aridian Tradition there are 8 Treguendas, four major and four minor. The major rites occur in October, February, May and August. These are the Spiritual Festivals which are considered of greater importance. The minor festivals occur on the Spring & Autumn Equinox, and on the Summer & Winter Solstice. These are the Earth Festivals, and are seasonal/agricultural in nature. The Mythos of the Old Religion runs through each of these Celebrations. They are named as follows:

•Shadowfest (La Festa dell' Ombra)
•Winter Solstice (La Festa dell' Inverno)
•Lupercus (Festa di Lupercus)
•Spring Equinox (Equinozio della Primavera)
•Tana's Day (La giornata di Tana)
•Summer Solstice (La Festa dell' Estate)
•Cornucopia (La Festa di Cornucopia)
•Autumn Equinox (Equinozio di Autunno)
A common term for the 8 rites is the "Wheel". It is thought of as a Spinning-wheel, turning and weaving the patterns of Life. On the physical level it is symbolic of the changing seasons. On the spiritual level it is symbolic of the "seasons of the soul". The Mythos which is an integral part of each rite, symbolizes the Journey of the Soul through a variety of Existences. In the Mystery Teachings of the Wheel, we discover that we are the characters in the Myth. Everything is symbolic within each myth, and represents various aspects of the encounters facing a soul as it passes from life to life. Through a study of the Mythos, and routine participation in each Treguenda, one can gain spiritual enlightenment.

The mythos within the Full Moon Ceremony, weaves its way through each Treguenda, and completes the spiritual vision. It is interesting to note that the ancient teachings connect the light of the Moon, to passages and reincarnations of the Soul.

FROM: MINNIE BAXTER
Merry Meet Raven, To make sure we are talking or thinking about the same thing let me give you some information:
Aradia (Strega Witch) was born in Volterra, Italy, on August 13, 1313. In her early teens (10-12 yrs.) she moved with her parents to the Alban hills near the lake now known as Nemi. This region not far from Rome. She experienced something in the unexplained area, a mystery to herself. This was the beginning of her promoting the old religion that was taught to her by her aunt.
On the subject of her "mystery". A voice using telepathy spoke to her telling her to look upwards. She gazed upwards and saw the skies began to darken (for there was a Moon Shadow) and she understood. This changed how she perceived life. Is this the clan of people you are saying is your relatives? If so lets talk about "The Moon Shadow" she saw in the sky. Are you Raven under the direction of the council of the Third Clan?

FROM: RAVEN GRIMASSI
The titles of the books which I have written are: (listed only because someone asked)

•The Book of Ways (Volumes 1 & 2) 1981 & 1982
•The Book of the Holy Strega 1981
•The Teachings of the Holy Strega (1991 reprint, new Intro)
•Whispers, teachings of the Old Religion of Italy 1991