Witchcraft is older than time itself, I strongly believe it was and still is a part of this creation just as us humans are a part of this creation. Humanity will not last much longer. Witchcraft will be here with each phase of human existence and when we are gone another race of man will take our place. Man will know the stories and read the books but much of it will be fragmented and exaggerated because the occultist today are clueless to understanding the origins of witchcraft or enlightenment. For those who study the blackest of arts I doubt know anymore than your average dabbler. Occultists today are no different than the many ignorant elites who re-write history to confuse the masses. Very few writers have gathered the ancients stories from the past to provide a foundation of beliefs that witches can work from because the truth has been so lost. As I to have searched for work that can provide some truth I found Leland's work not to be credible of the story he wrote of Aradia. Leland never provided citations of where he received such information however, Raven Grimassi chose to explain the story of Aradia with Diana and Lucifer with more detail explaining how Leland lapsed in researching the truth.
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In modern times of the 20th century this story of Diana and Lucifer as been re-written as Hekate and Lucifer but for now let's explore Italy's past and how the culture perceives witchcraft and the story of Diane and Lucifer. Let's view some history of Italian Witchcraft and then recapture an understanding of Hekate and Lucifer. As many of you might realize or not Lucifer has little to no information of this great energy and his existence of how exactly he began. Lucifer is never mentioned in the bible but one line of reference is expressed being the "morning star". Yet this great spirit has been demonized by man in this modern time to keep the masses in fear to have them running back to a church that is nothing more than hypocrisy, lies and a money laundering business. Ancient Italian witchcraft was rooted in a deep connection to nature, ancestral practices, and local deities. While Italian witchcraft varied across regions, there were some common elements that defined it.
The Etruscans and Early Traditions: Before the rise of the Roman Empire, the Etruscans, an ancient civilization in central Italy, practiced a form of religious and magical ritual. They believed in divination and the power of omens, often reading the entrails of sacrificed animals or interpreting the flight patterns of birds. Etruscan witchcraft also involved interactions with spirits, as well as invoking the aid of gods for protection, health, and prosperity. In ancient Italy, particularly among the Etruscans who inhabited central Italy before the rise of Rome, the Strega may have been a term for a wise woman or a practitioner of folk magic. The Etruscans had a complex religious system that involved communicating with gods and spirits, divination, and healing practices. The Strega was likely seen as a figure who could tap into these divine or spiritual forces. Etruscan religious practices included using augury (interpreting omens, especially bird signs), and streghe (plural for strega) were believed to have knowledge of these supernatural realms.
Folk Magic and Herbalism: By the time of the Romans and beyond, witchcraft in Italy began to blend with folk traditions, and many witches were known as healers and herbalists. Plants and herbs were used for both medicinal and magical purposes. Certain plants, like mandrake and belladonna, were believed to possess magical properties, including the ability to curse or heal. The knowledge of these plants was passed down through generations, often secretly, since witchcraft was looked upon with suspicion and fear. As Rome grew and absorbed the surrounding cultures, including Etruscan beliefs, the idea of the Strega evolved. Roman society, though advanced, still maintained a deep belief in magic and the supernatural. They had a complex pantheon of gods and spirits that streghe could potentially interact with. Roman witches, or those who practiced magic, were often viewed with suspicion, especially if their practices were seen as contrary to Roman law or morality.
Deities and Spirits: Italian witches often invoked local gods, spirits, or ancestors in their practices. The Roman pantheon had a wide variety of gods and goddesses associated with different aspects of life, like healing, love, and the harvest. However, many witches would also work with "La Strega" (the witch), or spirits from the countryside, and often participated in rituals to honor these beings to ensure good harvests or favorable weather.
Superstition and Rituals: In addition to herbal medicine, ancient Italian witches practiced rituals that involved divination, charms, and spells to protect against the evil eye or malevolent spirits. In rural areas, people would often consult witches or wise women for their knowledge of the mystical world, especially when it came to love spells, fortune telling, and curing ailments. The "malocchio" (evil eye) was a pervasive belief, and many witches would perform specific incantations to ward off its effects.
The Witch Healer and Protector: Despite the negative portrayal in later periods, the Strega was often viewed as a healer and protector of the community, especially in rural parts of Italy. In ancient times, streghe were often knowledgeable in herbalism, using plants for healing purposes, to treat ailments, or to safeguard against curses and illness. In fact, many of the plants considered to be "magical," like mandrake or belladonna, were also used in early medicine. The Strega could also serve as a mediator between the natural world and the spirit world. She would use divination, charms, and rituals to guide individuals through life's struggles—whether for love, prosperity, or protection from the evil eye.
The Etruscans and Early Traditions: Before the rise of the Roman Empire, the Etruscans, an ancient civilization in central Italy, practiced a form of religious and magical ritual. They believed in divination and the power of omens, often reading the entrails of sacrificed animals or interpreting the flight patterns of birds. Etruscan witchcraft also involved interactions with spirits, as well as invoking the aid of gods for protection, health, and prosperity. In ancient Italy, particularly among the Etruscans who inhabited central Italy before the rise of Rome, the Strega may have been a term for a wise woman or a practitioner of folk magic. The Etruscans had a complex religious system that involved communicating with gods and spirits, divination, and healing practices. The Strega was likely seen as a figure who could tap into these divine or spiritual forces. Etruscan religious practices included using augury (interpreting omens, especially bird signs), and streghe (plural for strega) were believed to have knowledge of these supernatural realms.
Folk Magic and Herbalism: By the time of the Romans and beyond, witchcraft in Italy began to blend with folk traditions, and many witches were known as healers and herbalists. Plants and herbs were used for both medicinal and magical purposes. Certain plants, like mandrake and belladonna, were believed to possess magical properties, including the ability to curse or heal. The knowledge of these plants was passed down through generations, often secretly, since witchcraft was looked upon with suspicion and fear. As Rome grew and absorbed the surrounding cultures, including Etruscan beliefs, the idea of the Strega evolved. Roman society, though advanced, still maintained a deep belief in magic and the supernatural. They had a complex pantheon of gods and spirits that streghe could potentially interact with. Roman witches, or those who practiced magic, were often viewed with suspicion, especially if their practices were seen as contrary to Roman law or morality.
Deities and Spirits: Italian witches often invoked local gods, spirits, or ancestors in their practices. The Roman pantheon had a wide variety of gods and goddesses associated with different aspects of life, like healing, love, and the harvest. However, many witches would also work with "La Strega" (the witch), or spirits from the countryside, and often participated in rituals to honor these beings to ensure good harvests or favorable weather.
Superstition and Rituals: In addition to herbal medicine, ancient Italian witches practiced rituals that involved divination, charms, and spells to protect against the evil eye or malevolent spirits. In rural areas, people would often consult witches or wise women for their knowledge of the mystical world, especially when it came to love spells, fortune telling, and curing ailments. The "malocchio" (evil eye) was a pervasive belief, and many witches would perform specific incantations to ward off its effects.
The Witch Healer and Protector: Despite the negative portrayal in later periods, the Strega was often viewed as a healer and protector of the community, especially in rural parts of Italy. In ancient times, streghe were often knowledgeable in herbalism, using plants for healing purposes, to treat ailments, or to safeguard against curses and illness. In fact, many of the plants considered to be "magical," like mandrake or belladonna, were also used in early medicine. The Strega could also serve as a mediator between the natural world and the spirit world. She would use divination, charms, and rituals to guide individuals through life's struggles—whether for love, prosperity, or protection from the evil eye.
Now let's begin with a modern version first then I will work my way down. An occultist once re-wrote about Hekate and Lucifer, which was taken from a past story of Diana and Lucifer. He states that Hekate being the Queen of Hell is the mother and lover to her son and consort Lucifer. Hekate remains dark and she had given the light to her son Lucifer which would explain why he is the Sun God. Now there are many rituals and versions to follow the "path of the sun" which is an ancient and powerful path to learn. I have not confirmed which version is correct, but since many cultures across the globe have their personal gnosis to this ancient ritual maybe the correct version doesn't exist but is a mere perspective of practice and belief systems. However, the modern focus of Smith's triad is of a different path of darker witchcraft mixed with satanism and many practices involving the Qlipothic realms. I found these rituals to be complex and I prefer to seek more authentic practices of ancient Italian Witchcraft culture, which can be hard to discover because of the many influences of Christianity and Wicca distorting the truth. I am not a follower of either of these practices as I feel in America much of the ancient practice and beliefs of Witchcraft has been white washed.
So to move forward with the story of Diana and the myth that Grimassi Raven speaks of. The writer explains that Diana was created before creation and that within her all things existed including a "light" that was her other half. He describes this as a duality. It gave me the impression Dianus (Lucifer) was born from necessity being the light. When Diana saw her other half - saw the light, she wanted to swallow him up he was so beautiful. She wanted the light back in her again. As Diana pursued Dianus her brother he fled from her and would not bow to wishes. Diana was instructed by the higher Gods that if she wanted to be a Chief Goddess to rise she must fall. So Diana and her brother went to Earth and taught man witchcraft. Now I've read in other literature the art of the craft was to help people against the tyranny of the rich and those who rule over man (which still exist today) which is Slavery. That is the intention of witchcraft and to protect the family and home.
So to end the story Dianus her brother he loved his cat, Diana made a pact with the cat to become the cat which she deceived her brother so she could lay next to him to capture the light again. Once he discovered this he was angry, but she soon soothed his heart with songs of love and he succumb to his sister and lover. Now that Diana had conquered the light once again she assumed her own form and Dianus became the mother to Aradia. I understand why it was written this way I just don't agree with it. I find it incorrect to say it is Dianus who is the mother of Aradia instead of Diana being the mother. Nevertheless I want to touch base on something when Donald Tyson wrote the book "Liber Lilith" he took that story that was in two parts the first was plagiarized from a book called, "Lost Scriptures" and the other half was from the notes of Karl Steiger. In the first ten pages when Tyson writes of Barbella and her child I had the impression that her child was the child of the highest God (the creator) which I now believe is female not male. Either way that child had the light in him he never knew it because his mother hid it from him. The story gives in impression that Yaldabaoth is Samael and Lucifer all in one. It's confusing because the writer provides three names all interchanging them, however, it's hard to know which story is true. Considering other writers too interchange these names. In addition people keep changing the stories it becomes convoluted. This is why I started to critically examine these stories, to many variations distort the truth, but my preference is of Diana and Lucifer when and how it became Hekate and Lucifer I'm not sure but some Egyptian books have both Heka and Hekate listed as primary powerful Gods.
Not to go off track to much but I viewed Heka as the male aspect of Hekate as every woman has a male aspect within her. Yet if I accept Hekate as light and dark aspects in one then I view this two ways 1) Hekate is the primary God of creation of both dark and light, this universe thrives of female energy and males are born from woman. Men claim this world is a mans world but no its woman's because we females came first and give birth to man. 2) Hekate could be the primary God of Darkness since its her primary aspect, she rules the darkness and death, but within that she can't be the Primary Creator of the Universe and all that exists because there is too many contradictions from those various stories. Overall we could assume all Gods have light and dark aspects just as us humans have light and shadow which most us repress instead of confronting. As for Aradia you can read it for yourself but the story has different variations as well.
Try to seek the truth of the roots of witchcraft it can be confusing when people are re-writing these stories. Either way witchcraft was meant to spread all over the world and many cultures have different variations of practice, just find what your comfortable with. As the truth always has a darker side. Strega Witchcraft (also known as Stregoneria) is an Italian folk tradition of magic, witchcraft, and spirituality, primarily practiced in rural areas of Italy. The term strega means "witch" in Italian, and Stregoneria refers to the practices and beliefs associated with witches or wise women, often rooted in ancient traditions. It is a form of folk magic that blends elements of indigenous Italian spirituality, natural magic, and various influences from surrounding cultures, including Roman and Etruscan culture.
So to move forward with the story of Diana and the myth that Grimassi Raven speaks of. The writer explains that Diana was created before creation and that within her all things existed including a "light" that was her other half. He describes this as a duality. It gave me the impression Dianus (Lucifer) was born from necessity being the light. When Diana saw her other half - saw the light, she wanted to swallow him up he was so beautiful. She wanted the light back in her again. As Diana pursued Dianus her brother he fled from her and would not bow to wishes. Diana was instructed by the higher Gods that if she wanted to be a Chief Goddess to rise she must fall. So Diana and her brother went to Earth and taught man witchcraft. Now I've read in other literature the art of the craft was to help people against the tyranny of the rich and those who rule over man (which still exist today) which is Slavery. That is the intention of witchcraft and to protect the family and home.
So to end the story Dianus her brother he loved his cat, Diana made a pact with the cat to become the cat which she deceived her brother so she could lay next to him to capture the light again. Once he discovered this he was angry, but she soon soothed his heart with songs of love and he succumb to his sister and lover. Now that Diana had conquered the light once again she assumed her own form and Dianus became the mother to Aradia. I understand why it was written this way I just don't agree with it. I find it incorrect to say it is Dianus who is the mother of Aradia instead of Diana being the mother. Nevertheless I want to touch base on something when Donald Tyson wrote the book "Liber Lilith" he took that story that was in two parts the first was plagiarized from a book called, "Lost Scriptures" and the other half was from the notes of Karl Steiger. In the first ten pages when Tyson writes of Barbella and her child I had the impression that her child was the child of the highest God (the creator) which I now believe is female not male. Either way that child had the light in him he never knew it because his mother hid it from him. The story gives in impression that Yaldabaoth is Samael and Lucifer all in one. It's confusing because the writer provides three names all interchanging them, however, it's hard to know which story is true. Considering other writers too interchange these names. In addition people keep changing the stories it becomes convoluted. This is why I started to critically examine these stories, to many variations distort the truth, but my preference is of Diana and Lucifer when and how it became Hekate and Lucifer I'm not sure but some Egyptian books have both Heka and Hekate listed as primary powerful Gods.
Not to go off track to much but I viewed Heka as the male aspect of Hekate as every woman has a male aspect within her. Yet if I accept Hekate as light and dark aspects in one then I view this two ways 1) Hekate is the primary God of creation of both dark and light, this universe thrives of female energy and males are born from woman. Men claim this world is a mans world but no its woman's because we females came first and give birth to man. 2) Hekate could be the primary God of Darkness since its her primary aspect, she rules the darkness and death, but within that she can't be the Primary Creator of the Universe and all that exists because there is too many contradictions from those various stories. Overall we could assume all Gods have light and dark aspects just as us humans have light and shadow which most us repress instead of confronting. As for Aradia you can read it for yourself but the story has different variations as well.
Try to seek the truth of the roots of witchcraft it can be confusing when people are re-writing these stories. Either way witchcraft was meant to spread all over the world and many cultures have different variations of practice, just find what your comfortable with. As the truth always has a darker side. Strega Witchcraft (also known as Stregoneria) is an Italian folk tradition of magic, witchcraft, and spirituality, primarily practiced in rural areas of Italy. The term strega means "witch" in Italian, and Stregoneria refers to the practices and beliefs associated with witches or wise women, often rooted in ancient traditions. It is a form of folk magic that blends elements of indigenous Italian spirituality, natural magic, and various influences from surrounding cultures, including Roman and Etruscan culture.