Once upon a time, there was a poor woodcutter named Puss who lived with his cat named Puss in a small cottage in the woods. Puss was struggling to make ends meet as he couldn't find enough work to support himself and his beloved cat. One day, while Puss was cutting wood in the forest, he stumbled upon a small sack of what appeared to be magic beans. Intrigued by their glimmering appearance, Puss decided to take them home and show them to his cat, hoping that they might bring some good fortune. As Puss returned to his cottage, he eagerly showed the magic beans to his cat. The cat, being a clever and imaginative creature, immediately sensed the potential of these beans.
The cat, being a clever and imaginative creature, immediately sensed the potential of these beans. Puss and his cat decided to plant the magic beans in their small garden, hoping that they would grow into something extraordinary. To their astonishment, the very next day, a gigantic beanstalk had grown overnight, reaching high into the sky.
Witchcraft, Folklore, Polytheism
Hey! That’s wonderful! They’re surprisingly difficult to find any accurate information on!
My best resources are the article by Sabina Magliocco titled Witchcraft, healing, and vernacular magic in Italy, a less reliable article (that mixes witch-lore and folk magic all together) by J.B. Andrews called Neapolitan Witchcraft, and Carlo Ginzburg’s book The Night Battles about the benandanti in Friuli (Northeastern region of Italy).
If anyone knows any other sources feel free to list them!
Italian witch lore is very old, as there have been legends of witches in this region for a very long, accountable period. The word strega (witch) most likely comes from the Latin strix (screech owl) which witches were thought to take the shape of in the night. The practice of witchcraft is called stregoneria, a male witch is a stregone, and a female witch is a strega.
There are more legends of Italian witches in the south (particularly near Naples). One of the most famous is the story of the witches of Benevento, who convened beneath a walnut tree on a hill therein, and danced and worshiped the Devil. This tree was supposedly cut down.
There is a popular image of a witch who arises among Christian tradition in Italy, even still today. This witch is called Old Befana or Bella Befana(Bruta Befana, Bella Befana or Vecchia Befana) who is a good witch who lived alone in a small cottage. One day, three wise men knocked on her door. “Behold! The child of God is born, (yada yada) we’re going to find him and bring him gifts! Will you join us Old Befana?” Now, Old Befana was glad to hear the news and excited to meet the new babe and give it what gifts she could. However, she was not one to shuck her responsibilities so she said she would have to wait until her chores were completed. They agreed and she saw them off, before finishing her cleaning. Once her duties were completed, she packed up her presents for the babe, hopped promptly onto the broom she had just finished sweeping with, and flew out the chimney into the cold night. However, they had not told her how to find them again! Not wanting to deny the boy his gifts, she decided to give some to all the little children she passed on her way, as any might be the new born child of God. Every year on that same night, Old Befana rides out on her broom and deposits gifts for little children, in hopes that one day she will finally find the baby Jesus and give him the presents she has been holding all this time.
In southern Italy, many of the tales of witches (streghe) and folk healers (fattucchiere, or ‘fixers’) tell of the songs they sing to work their magic. Unfortunately, this seems to be all anyone knows on the subject, and I can’t find any references or information on these songs!
In lore, the witches of both benevolent and malefic natures are closely related or interchangeable with more faerie-like spirits. The Janare of Naples/Janas of Sardinia (lit. followers of Diana) are magical women said to live in Neolithic shaft tombs and are expert weavers and spinners. They sometimes intermarry with humans, but are very different from the cogas (or little cooks) of Sardinia, who are malefic witches that cook and eat their victims.
Most folk magic in Italy has died out, even in many of the rural areas. What is documented and what remains is all, unsurprisingly, Catholic magic. Much of it draws to saints, prayers, and Catholic holy tools. One name for this form of magic is benedicaria. However, much of it seems more agricultural or magical and less religious in nature. There is no point assuming this other source is pagan, because we could never prove where almost of any of it originated.
Most witchcraft you will find today in Italy, especially in urbanized areas, is of a New Age or Neo-pagan persuasion. Neo-Wicca is about the best you can hope to find, and even that is comparatively rare to that found in Great Britain, Australia, and the U.S.
In conversations about Italian magic and witchcraft, Raven Grimassi’s book Italian Witchcraft tends to come up. THIS BOOK IS UTTER BULLSHIT. HOGWASH. STUFF AND NONSENSE. It’s almost literally just Neo-Wicca with different names and some made up information. I’m not exaggerating. If you have this book, it’s better off as kindling than on your bookshelf. Just saying.
Charles Leland’s book Aradia: The Gospel of the Witches is a pretty piece of poetry, and perhaps has some truths in it, but it can never be relied upon. His source is not credible, and the information doesn’t add up well. It is a beautiful book, but not an accurate account of Italian magic or witchcraft.
Here are a few blog posts I have made relating to Italian witchcraft and folk magic:
My grandmother wasn’t a warm woman. She had seven children and dozens of grandchildren — and she brutally picked favorites. The fear of God led her to judgment and cruelty in many ways, and we were not close for many reasons. As a child, she didn’t hold me in her lap or stroke my hair or care for me. She visited, we made dishes and dishes of food, she told me I was too skinny, and she sent me scapulars and bottles of holy water. She also warned me about the Devil and told me ghost stories. They were violent and strange and they haunt me today — the man who killed himself in her basement. The child swinging on a chandelier. The old woman dressed in black who came in and out of the house.
Filled with excitement and curiosity, Puss and his cat climbed the beanstalk, eager to discover what awaited them at the top. As they reached the top of the beanstalk, Puss and his cat found themselves in a magical land filled with vast riches, beautiful landscapes, and a magnificent castle. They soon learned that the castle belonged to a monstrous ogre who had stolen countless treasures from neighboring kingdoms. With their quick wits and cunning, Puss and his cat devised a plan to outsmart the ogre and claim the stolen treasures for themselves. Puss used his charm and wit to distract the ogre, while his cat stealthily stole back the treasures. Puss and his cat continued to outwit the ogre, taking back treasure after treasure until they had reclaimed everything that had been stolen. They became heroes in the land, praised for their bravery and cunning. With their newfound wealth, Puss and his cat were able to live a life of luxury and comfort, no longer struggling to make ends meet. They became known as the heroes who defeated the ogre and brought prosperity to the land. From that day forward, Puss and his cat were revered as legends, and their story was passed down through generations. The magic beans had truly brought them extraordinary fortune and a life full of happiness. And so, Puss and his cat lived happily ever after, cherishing the magic beans that had changed their lives forever. Their tale serves as a reminder that sometimes, even the smallest and most unexpected things can lead to great adventures and fortunes..
Reviews for "The Importance of Friendship in Puss in Biits and the Magic Beans"
1. John - 2/5 - I was really disappointed with "Puss in Bits: Magic Beans". The storytelling seemed convoluted and confusing, and the animation quality was subpar. The characters lacked depth and development, making it difficult to invest in their journey. Additionally, the humor fell flat and the jokes seemed forced. Overall, I found this film to be lacking in both entertainment value and substance.
2. Emily - 1/5 - "Puss in Bits: Magic Beans" was a complete letdown for me. The plot felt disjointed and the pacing was all over the place. It seemed like they were trying to cram too many elements into the film, resulting in a cluttered mess. The dialogue was cheesy and the voice acting was uninspiring. The animation lacked creativity and failed to capture my attention. I would not recommend this movie to anyone seeking an enjoyable animated adventure.
3. Sarah - 2/5 - I had high hopes for "Puss in Bits: Magic Beans", but unfortunately, it fell short. The story lacked originality and felt like a rehash of other fairytale adaptations. The characters were one-dimensional and lacked depth, making it difficult to genuinely care about their outcomes. The animation quality was average at best, with nothing particularly impressive or memorable. Overall, this film failed to deliver a captivating and enchanting experience that I was expecting.
4. Michael - 3/5 - While "Puss in Bits: Magic Beans" had its flaws, it still managed to provide some entertainment. The story, although predictable and cliché, had a few enjoyable moments. The animation was decent, although it lacked the wow factor found in other animated films. The voice acting was average, with no standout performances. Despite its shortcomings, it may still appeal to younger audiences who are less critical of these aspects. However, for adult viewers looking for a more engaging and memorable experience, I would suggest looking elsewhere.