La Vecchia Religione

In 14th Century Italy a woman who called herself Aradia brought on a revival of La Vecchia Religione (The Old Religion). Originally one Tradition it branched off into three. They are known as Fanarra, Janarra and Tanarra collectively known as The Triad Traditions.

Fanarra, centered in Northern Italy are known as Keepers of the Earth Mysteries. Janarra, occupying Central Italy are known as Keepers of the Lunar Mysteries and, Tanarra, also occupying Central Italy are known as Keepers of the Stellar Mysteries.

The leaders of each tradition are called Grimas. Each Grimas has a working knowledge of the other two Mystery Traditions. It is each Grimas duty to maintain the integrity of the Tradition and to ensure its survival. Each initiate is trained in the ways of each Tradition.

Originally established in North America is a branch of the Tanarra known as the Aradian Tradition. It is based upon a blending of the Triad Traditions in an attempt to restore the original tradition which Aradia had returned to the people.

The Aradian name is derived from an old Italian village called Arida. Several of the first followers of Aradia were said to have come from this village. Therefore the name was chosen for its connection to the Old Country.

Aradians have adopted a few Wiccan elements due to their exposure here in the U.S. Aradians still consider themselves to be direct spiritual descendants of those who formed the first of Aradia's groves in Italy. This is also true of the Triad Witches.

The Aradian Tradition is a nature religion. It acknowledges polarity of gender within the natural order personified as the God and Goddess. The year is divided up into the God months, October through February and the Goddess months, March through September. Balance is essential and therefore Goddess and God are viewed as equal but different manifestations of Divine Consciousness.

The God months' celebrations are performed with ritual robes and the Goddess months' celebrations are performed without clothing. The rites are, in part, drama plays symbolizing the interplay between the forces of nature. The aspects of these rites translate to modern life as we know it. Fertility equals personal grown and well-being. Agricultural themes equal prosperity and career involvements. The belief being that if you are fertile in mind and heart then relationships increase and prosper. To celebrate the cycles of growth and prosperity, we draw positive energy into our work and careers.

The Primary Tools used by the Strega (Italian for Witch) are The Wand, The Spirit Bowl or shell, The Chalice (cup) or Grail, The Spirit Blade (Sword), The Pentacle and The Nanta Bag. The Nanta Bag is designed to keep its wearer in harmony with the forces of nature. It also serves as a carrier for the tools of Stregheria (Italian for Witchcraft).

The Secondary Tools of Stregheria are The Broom (only until around the later part of the eighteenth century). The Strega were portrayed as riding to the Treguenda (Sabbat) on the backs of goats. Witches in Northern Europe were portrayed as flying on broomsticks. The similarity being that goats provided flight in the same manner as broomsticks. The Broom is used for protection and banishment and is also a symbol of the Goddess when turned brush-side up. Scissors, another tool, were used to break spells and, undo Magickal or astral connections. Cutting, lashing or actually dropping the scissors severed connections. Using the scissors to cut up a picture can sever the connection with that person as cutting up a piece of that clothing. Now, how many times have we actually done that when we were upset with a boyfriend/girlfriend or two. Did they ever return? When I did that, I never heard back from them. Just a note.

Some more secondary tools are The Cauldron, used primarily for offerings with a ritual setting and can be either an offering to Deities or Spirits. It is set at the appropriate directional quarter of the ritual circle and symbolizes the powers or forces whose influence is sought.

The Lare House or Lasa Shrine. Although not really a tool, it is an important part of Stregheria. All Strega must have one of these. It resembles a temple roof supported by two columns set on a landing. The landing section extends out to form a place where offerings can be placed. It is a focal point for the old spirits to commune with all Strega.

The Lasa are beings who have already lived as humans and are now moving up to becoming demi-gods. The Tuscan witches call upon them for help in all matters and work closely with them. I guess you can determine that this would be Stregheria's version of spirit guides. In central and southern Italy they are referred to as Lare and are viewed as the "collective consciousness" of former Strega. They are called for with respect to assistance in matters as the Lasa are.

The Lare house is set in the east or west of the home, but originally the Lasa shrines were set in the west and Lare houses set in the east.

Much of my information was taken from the book "Ways of the Strega" by Raven Grimassi~