Strega, who are we?

By, Rev. Ariana

revised 26 May 2016

I have had many people ask me to speak of Strega and our teachings, what we practice, how we practice, and so on, with permission I am allowed to share limited information as to my teachings and to the heart of Strega.

Strega roots date back to from the time of Sumer, Egypt, and Indus Valley from where the heart of Paganism started the honour and worship of the Ancient Mighty Ones, from the teachings from the ancient lands the people in an effort to preserve not only their magic but their culture had to travel throughout the lands and find home.  Strega’s roots are based initially in Italy the main land the Southern Italy and Sicily, with lines in Sardinia and Malta.  Within the line of Strega in which I am taught and practice it comes from Sicily, with that comes an Oath of Silence [Omerta], a Vow in which must never be broken to hold certain teachings secret and to never reveal, yes, to many this may seem extreme, yet to the unlearned or the ignorant the knowledge in which we hold sacred and silent would not be understood and could do more harm than good to someone who does not understand the heart of Strega.  Benito Amilcare Andrea Mussolini making a deal with Hitler forced many of the Strega to flew their homeland for other countries during WWII, many of which fled to the Domincian Republic, Puerto Rico, the outlying countries and many more hide in plain sight where many are still today.

Sicilian Strega has a mixture of various cultures and magical systems due to the migration through trade and religion that entrées into the country.  Some of the other cultures in which migrated into Sicily were the Phoenicians, Germans, Muslims and Greeks to name a few, from that our branch of magic has a blend of Ceremonial, Arabic, Jewish Mysticism, Germanic and Egyptians then building their own Temples, Religious Masques, basing their locations atop of sacred sites or old temple sites.

Strega is hereditary blood line, which few if any outsiders are allowed in, and then it takes years to learn the Mysteries, if one is fully accepted it is then typically for an Adoption Ceremony to be performed by the adopting Mother of the line or family.  Like I said this is rear, but some are allowed and later accepted.

Magically, Strega is based on folk magic, working with the Saints, Arch Angels, Angels, Spirits, Shape shifting, Shamanism, and working with and serving the Gods.  The heart of Strega is ones’ heart the heart of one’s’ soul reveals all from within.  We follow a philosophy in which goes back to the a maxim that is to be found on the Pillars to the entrance of Delphi “Know Thyself, Nothing in Excess”.  Later through Giordano Bruno and Dr. Leo Louis Martello’s works to be a person who lived, to live by one’s own standards to not allow others control or tell you what, who, how to live, breathe, practice or believe, Dr. Leo Louis Martello calls it PsychoSelfism, simply put you do NOT accept the guilt, problems of another and that you place value for value on all your works as well as of those who are in your life.

The Strega are known for being Warriors of Justice and defending the weak, the innocent and those who have been wronged, spoken against with falsities, and we are humanitarians.  We encourage working with the community, aiding the poor and more.  We believe that one has the right to say what is right for them and what is not, to stand up for the rights of humanity and say what must be said without fear.  We are healers, protectors, warriors, watchers, psychopompos, and more.  Do we believe in white or black magic, no, we believe in magic and depending what one does warrants the magic we do, if you give others willingly, do work to aid someone who is need of healing, protection and giving them encouragement during down times you will always be blessed with prosperity, health and happiness, however, you do harm against another willingly, murder, rape, incest, harm a creature by cruelty or commit any act of evil, be it by word or deed, then that warrants well Justice.  A reminder to all if you are not justified and the other party has not done anything in which warrants then to do magic against them just because it will back fire on the sender and they will reap all they have sown.

Yes, we follow the Rede in that we do not seek to harm another we love under the law and do not force another’s hand against their free will.  However, we do not take the Rede literally, what I mean by that is through the years and this is not only my observation many who come to the Craft of the Wise, Wiccan, Paganism from Christianity, do so with the understanding that the Rede is to be taken word for word, [now this is not to say all Wiccan’s follow it literally].  This is not so, it is to be taken as a way to walk and do your magic, however, when one harms you, you are NOT to turn your check to the injustice, you are justified to do what must be done to bring full justice upon the person who harmed you, be it by whatever the Gods deem fitting for the judgement.  You are allowed to seek full punishment.  In Dr. Leo Louis Martello’s book ~How to Prevent Psychic Blackmail~ he states the following, when one insults you, you do not turn the check for them to do it again, what you are to is this, okay you hurt me I forgive you, now I have forgotten you as well, goodbye.

Strega is path that not many can follow it is stricter than most it adheres to keeping secrets and making unbreakable oaths, seeking permissions for certain things and more.  It is a path that accepts all Religions and works with them all in an effort to bring full balance, for as Ghandi states until everyone can accept each other for which they are for until then there shall never be balance.  This is what the Ancients seek acceptance.

The foundation of the home is the heart of a Strega, children are to be cherished as a gift for the gift they are, love to be nurtured and protected.  The Heart of the Strega is the Strega.