Witch holidays and rituals hold significance in the practice of witchcraft and pagan traditions. These holidays, also known as sabbats, mark the turning of the seasons and the cycles of nature. There are eight main sabbats that witches observe throughout the year, with some variations depending on the specific tradition or path followed. The first sabbat is Imbolc, which is celebrated on February 1st or 2nd. Imbolc marks the beginning of spring and is a time to honor the returning light and the awakening of the earth. It is also associated with the goddess Brigid, who represents healing, creativity, and divination.
It is also associated with the goddess Brigid, who represents healing, creativity, and divination. The next sabbat is Ostara, celebrated on the spring equinox around March 21st. Ostara celebrates the arrival of spring and the balance between light and dark.
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.
It is also a time to honor the goddess Eostre, who represents fertility, rebirth, and new beginnings. Beltane, celebrated on May 1st, is the sabbat that welcomes in the summer season. Believed to be a time when the veil between the human world and the spirit world is thin, Beltane is often celebrated with bonfires, dancing, and rituals to symbolize fertility, passion, and abundance. Litha, also known as Midsummer or the summer solstice, takes place around June 21st. It is the longest day of the year and is associated with the sun god and the power of the sun. Litha is a time to celebrate the abundance of the earth and to honor the light within ourselves. Lammas, occurring on August 1st, is the first harvest festival of the year. It is a time to give thanks for the abundance of the harvest and to celebrate the bounty of the earth. Lammas is also associated with the god Lugh, who represents skills, craftsmanship, and sovereignty. Mabon, celebrated on the autumn equinox around September 21st, is a time to mark the arrival of autumn and to prepare for the coming winter. It is a time of balance between light and dark and a time to reflect on gratitude and the harvest. Mabon is associated with the goddess Persephone, who represents the cycle of life, death, and rebirth. Samhain, also known as Halloween, is celebrated on October 31st. It marks the end of the harvest season and the beginning of winter. Samhain is a time when the veil between the living and the dead is thinnest, making it a powerful time for divination, ancestral connections, and honoring those who have passed. Finally, Yule, also known as the winter solstice, takes place around December 21st. Yule is a time to celebrate the return of the sun and the lengthening of days. It is a time of renewal, introspection, and embracing the darkness as a necessary part of the cycle of life. Throughout the year, witches may also perform rituals and celebrate other important dates, such as full moons, new moons, and personal milestones. These rituals often involve connecting with nature, casting spells, setting intentions, and honoring specific deities or energies. In conclusion, witch holidays and rituals are an integral part of the practice of witchcraft and pagan traditions. They provide an opportunity to honor the cycles of nature, connect with the divine, and celebrate the changing seasons. These celebrations and rituals hold deep meaning for witches and offer a way to connect with their spiritual path and the world around them..
Reviews for "Performing Ritual Magick with Candles in Witch Holidays and Celebrations"
1. John Doe - 1 star
I am extremely disappointed with "Witch holidays and rituals". As someone with a keen interest in witchcraft, I was hoping to find detailed and authentic information about various rituals and celebrations. However, this book fell short of my expectations. The content was vague, lacking in substance, and seemed more like a collection of random ideas rather than a cohesive guide. The author failed to provide any meaningful explanations or historical background for the ceremonies mentioned. Overall, a complete waste of time and money for anyone seeking a comprehensive understanding of witch holidays and rituals.
2. Jane Smith - 2 stars
While "Witch holidays and rituals" had promising potential, it ultimately failed to deliver. The book lacked proper organization and structure, making it difficult to follow. The information provided was superficial and lacked depth. It felt like a rushed compilation of basic facts without any real insight into the origins or significance of the rituals. Additionally, the author's writing style was uninspiring and did not captivate my interest. I would not recommend this book to anyone seeking a meaningful exploration of witchcraft holidays and rituals.
3. Sarah Johnson - 1 star
"Witch holidays and rituals" was a major letdown for me. I was expecting a thorough exploration of various traditions and practices within the world of witchcraft, but this book fell short on multiple levels. The information provided was incredibly basic and lacked any real substance. The rituals mentioned were poorly explained and lacked any historical or cultural context. It felt like a hastily put together guide with little effort put into research or providing accurate and useful information. I was left feeling dissatisfied and would not recommend this book to anyone genuinely interested in witchcraft holidays and rituals.
4. Michael Brown - 2 stars
I found "Witch holidays and rituals" to be a rather lackluster read. The content was superficial and failed to provide any real depth or insight into the subject matter. The book lacked proper organization and structure, making it difficult to navigate and understand. The rituals described were oversimplified and lacked any meaningful explanations or historical references. Overall, I was left feeling underwhelmed and would not recommend this book to anyone looking for a comprehensive guide on witchcraft holidays and rituals.