Aquilus Vampire and Pagan Forum

I have a book that I read from time to time on Italian witchcraft. So, I thought I would share a little about their Gods and Goddesses.

The Gods Of Italian Witchcraft (Stregheria)


Actaeon - is one of the many names for the Stag-horned God of the Forest

Anteros - God of Passion and Sexual Unions. Anteros represents mutual love and is sometimes is regarded as the avenger of slighted love.

Comus - God of revelry, feasting, drinking, and the "pleaseures of the night".

Corvus - Messenger of the Gods. He is also the Trickster God, Raven.

Cern / Kern - Name for the stag-horned god of the Forest. He is the symbol of the Waxing power of Nature.

Dianus - Consort of Diana. Nature God of Fertility, similar to Fanus, except that He is a Stag God instead of a Goat God. Also known as Kern. Dianus is the most common name for the God. he is comparable to the god Kerunnos.

Fanus - Consort of Fana. Nature God of Fertility. He is comparable to Pan.

Februus - God of Purification and Initiation

Tagni - The most ancient name for the God of Witchcraft

Tanus - Consort of Tana. The Star God.

Terminus - God of Boundaries, protector of personal property

Virbius - God of Outcasts and outlaws. Guardian of santuaries.

The Goddesses of Italian Witchcraft (Stregheria)

Aradia- she was the daughter of Diana. she was sent to Italy in the 1400's to bring about a revival of La Vecca Religionae (The Old Religion) she taught the secrets of the moon, the earth, the stars, and the moon to her followers. she is the protectress of all witches and is some times called the Queen of witches.

Astrea - The Goddess of Justice and Purity.

Carmen / Carmina - The Goddess of casting spells and of Enchantments. They may be related to Carmenta, who was one of the Camenae. These goddesses dwell in the freshwater springs and rivers. Their name means "foretellers" because they were phrophetic forces.

Carmenta is the goddess of Prophecy and Midwifery. She also brought the art of writing to her land. She was worshipped January 11 and 15. She would be consulted to perdict future of newborns.

Diana - Consort of Dianus. The Triad Goddess: Maiden, Mother, Crone. Diana encompasses many other Goddesses, and is the name also used for the Moon Goddess, Earth Goddess and Star Goddess.

In Italian witchcraft Diana is the mother of Ardia, who is the protroctress of all witches.

Originally she was the Queen of the Open Sky, and was worshipped only outdoors, where her domain stretched overhead. She is the Goddess of outcasts, outlaws, slaves and opressed peoples.

With two other deities, she made up another trinity: Egeria, the water nymph, her servant and assistant midwife, and Virbius, the mysterious woodland god. The three lived together in the famous Wood of Nemi near Aricia.

She is worshipped on August 15, which conveniently now is the feast of the Assumption of Mary. Processions of women would journey to Aricia to offer thanks in Diana's grove for her help that year and to implore her continuing aid.
Diana is the Goddess of all Witches in Italy.

Fauna / Fana - Consort of Fanus. Goddess of the Earth and of Fertility. Fana is also known as Bona Dea, or the "Good Goddess". She is worshiped only by women and in secrecy at rites in early December. Goddess of Abundance and Prosperity, the rites are rather bawdy - usually ending in an orgy. No men are ever allowed to the rites. She is the patron goddess of lesbian women.

Fortuna - Goddess of Fortune, Fate and Luck. She controlles the destiny of all humans. She represents the energy that drives men and women to reproduce themselves. She is also called "She Who Brings" - the goddess who alows the fertilization of all living things. She is invoked by newly-married women, who dedicated their virgin garments to her.

Jana - Consort of Janus. Goddess of the Moon, and its mysteries.

Nox - Goddess of the Night. Nox rules the Darkness that cloaks the Earth, and all within that darkness. She is the sister of Umbria, and shares her associations (except fror the Underworld connection). She can be a bit on the sinister side if care is not taken.

Pertunda - Goddess of sexual love and sexual pleasure.

Tana - Consort of Tanus. Goddessof the stars and its mysteries.Tana's Day is celebrated on May 1, the day upon which she returned to her Hidden Children after her time in the Underworld.

Umbria - Goddess of the Shadows. Umbria is the dark aspect of the Goddess (waning moon), and rules with Dis in the Underworld. Goddess of things which are hidden or secret.

Uni - The most ancient name for the Goddess of Witchcraft. Queen of the sky, she hurled thunderbolts when angered and, when pleased, granted safe passage to infants at birth. Her major sanctuary was at Pyrge, a port city of Caere, where She was endowed with silver and gold by her worshipers.

She was the patroness of Tuscan citites and of the women who lived there.

Great reference on Stregheria: http://www.geocities.com/athens/acropolis/7159/strega.html

Very informative Melissa. I think we are on the same wavelength again because I was thinking about making a listing of some of the god and goddesses from different religions and traditions.

Great read.

I would appreciate it if you guys did start posting more like this. I had a long conversation with Nathan Schoonover this weekend about learning as much as possible on every belief system, old and new, that we can. It would really help in the work that we do.

Thanks guys, I'm glad you enjoyed it. :) Like I said, it's path I've been reading on, well off and on anyway. And Poppy, I told you to stay out of head!  :P

I'm all for learning about other paths, that's one of the main reasons I made this site. Even though many of these paths are similar, they do have their differences and I've always found that facinating. Also, knowledge is power!  ;)
I'd like to see some information on Native American paths as well, wink wink, nudge nudge. Oh and some Norse, wink wink, nudge nudge.

AHEM!  :goodpost:

anxiously awaiting  :popcorn:

And what do you plan on contributing sir?  :P

I could make a list of all the various deities in the Norse/Germanic pantheon, but its going to be very, very, very long.

Be warned. :lol:

Kind regards,
Wilhelm   

A rubber chicken, duct tape, and a disco ball.

Seriously all I have is a need to learn.