Hereditary Witchcraft: Secrets of the Old Religion

by Raven Grimassi

Discover the real sources of many of the traditions, beliefs, and techniques of modern Witchcraft! And what author Raven Grimassi reveals in Hereditary Witchcraft is the documented ancient roots of the Old Religion.

One-by-one, Grimassi goes through the tenets of Witchcraft and shows their ancient sources. The association of the pentagram with Witchcraft goes back at least 2,500 years. The idea of the four elements goes back to a philosopher...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1567182569
• ISBN13: 9781567182569
• Release Date: September 1999
• Publisher: Llewellyn Publications
• Length: 288 Pages
• Weight: 1.33 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 7.4" x 9.1"

Customer Reviews

Dont worry the secrets of the Strega are safe still

Unfortunatly he does not reveal any real secrets of Sicilian Strega. The secrets are still safe. Maybe one day the public will know, then again maybe not. Is this book still worth it? Oh yes. Raven Grimassi is one of a kind with the Italian tradition of Strega (Strega=Witchcraft) He made up his own tradition the Araidian tradition from an older tradition. Here in this book you will learn about the history of the witchcraft of Tuscany and Italy. He teaches about the diffrent aspect of the Goddess Diana. He also teaches about her consort Dianus. He gives out wonderful rituals and spells. He also gives a bit of info on the Lasa and Lare (the fairey folk) and how to make your own Lara and Lasa shrine. This is a good primer on Italian Witchcraft and wonderful for the beginners of the Craft as well. The auther does a wonderful job.

The actual and thus uplifting truth

Hereditary Witchcraft is a look at an older and authentic form of Witchcraft. This book contains information not found in any other book on witchcraft. It is perhaps the only book in print today that provides real clues as to the old ways of witchcraft.As an initiate of this tradition myself, I must correct the erroneous conclusions drawn by the reviewer who stated that Grimassi "admits he was not taught strega by his family and he wasn't raised in a strega famly." What Grimassi says on his website is that he does not directly mention his family in the Hereditary Witchcraft book, nor in THIS book does he make any claims as to being raised in a Strega family (and nowhere in the book, nor on his website, does he deny being a hereditary witch).Grimassi does NOT ever say on his website, nor in any published material, that he is not a hereditary witch nor that he never learned witchcraft from his relatives. On his website he is simply correcting book reviewers that incorrectly claim he makes statements specifically in his books 'Hereditary Witchcraft' and 'Italian Witchcraft' as to being raised in a family tradition, which he does not. Grimassi intentionally does not discuss his family in any of his published writings, as it is a private and personal matter.So, if you're interested in knowing something about an authentic form of hereditary witchcraft, then this is the book for you. It is written by one of the few authors both knowledgeable enough and willing to discuss the hereditary path.

Italian Witchcraft revisited

One of the advantages of reading an author like Raven Grimassi is that you don't have to worry about whether or not the information is correct or not. He is the Grimass, the head of the clan, and a leading authority on the subject of Italian Witchcraft. His information is accurate, timely, and well-written. Each book he writes, you think he couldn't do another and yet he has a wealth of information for todays student. This book is presented like a Book of Shadows. He begins with a historical presentation of the Craft and of Strega. Next are some brief myths and legends concerning the God/desses of the Old Religion and a discussion of familiar spirits. do you know what a Lara Shrine is? Why they use fava beans? What are the Blood Secrets of the Craft?The next section has spells that are more than 100 years old! Including a charming spell for Fairy Dust and a Fairy Sight Stone. The chapter devoted to Rituals is done in great detail with complete scripts, altar layout, gestures, and explanations of the Sabbats. It is highly useful and interesting presentation.Much of the book is devoted to divination, sigils, talismans and more. Can you read the Tuscan Runes or the Sea Magick Runes? Learn the influence of the lunar mansions and more by reading this powerful book!

An Amazing Book!

Thank You Mr. Grimassi, for giving us a view of what it is like to grow up in the Old Ways. This book is amazing! In one book, we get a deeper persective of the historical and cultural background of Italian Witchcraft, solitary rituals for those of us who are out there alone, and the further tales of Aradia! There is more than one Italian Tradition out there..no one can claim a definitive version of stregheria. Mr. Grimassi makes that very clear in his introductions. Anyone who thinks this book represents *italian wicca*, obviously hasn't read it. And, who cares if his real name is Grimassi or not?

Well researched documentation

Unlike many authors on the modern practice of Witchcraft, this author provides historical documentation that supports his claims. His presentation of Italian Witchcraft, as he reveals it, is rooted firmly in the classical era writings on Roman Witchcraft as well as trial transcripts from the Inquisition in Venice and 19th century writings by primary Italian folklorists who investigated Witchcraft in northern and central Italy.What I found of particular interest is the historical documentation of aspects of Italian Witchcraft involving ritual circles, cakes & wine, elemental spirits, full moon gatherings, and the classic altar tools, all of which pre-date Gardnerian Wicca by several centuries in Old Italy. It is refreshing to see historical documentation back up the claims of a modern writer on Witchcraft. If you are interested in an authentic system of old Witchcraft, supported by the facts, then Grimassi's book is the one to pick.