The island of Sicily, located in the Mediterranean Sea, is known for its rich cultural heritage and diverse traditions. One fascinating aspect of Sicilian folk culture is its magical customs, which have been passed down through generations. These customs and beliefs reflect a blend of ancient pagan rituals with elements of Christianity. Magic has long played a significant role in the lives of Sicilian people, who have relied on various practices to ward off evil, ensure good fortune, and heal illnesses. One prominent magical figure in Sicilian folklore is the strega, or witch, who possesses supernatural powers to cast spells and communicate with spirits. The strega is both feared and revered, as her abilities can be used for both beneficial and malevolent purposes.
Religion is an important part of Sicilian culture, which has a special connection with the cult of patron saints. In fact, there are always stories that link the saint to the city, as well as traditions to follow during religious festivals.
Lisa Marie Basile is the founding creative director of Luna Luna Magazine, the author of a few books of poetry and nonfiction, including Light Magic for Dark Times and The Magical Writing Grimoire. 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.
The strega is both feared and revered, as her abilities can be used for both beneficial and malevolent purposes. The practice of the evil eye, known as "jettatura," is deeply ingrained in Sicilian society. It is believed that certain individuals have the power to cast curses simply by looking at someone with envy or malice.
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:
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.
To protect against the evil eye, Sicilians use amulets, such as the "corna" (horn), "mano cornuta" (horned hand), or "occhio di Santa Lucia" (eye of Saint Lucy). These amulets are believed to absorb negative energy and ward off evil spirits. Another common magical custom in Sicily is the use of herbs and plants for medicinal purposes. This practice, known as "erbalismo," involves the gathering and preparation of herbs to create potions, ointments, and infusions for healing various ailments. It is believed that certain plants possess supernatural properties and can cure illnesses, ward off evil spirits, and bring good luck. Sicilian folk magic also includes various divination practices, such as tarot reading, palmistry, and dream interpretation. These methods are used to gain insight into the future, seek advice, and make important decisions. Many Sicilians consult fortune tellers or "cartomanti" on matters of love, career, and health. In addition to these individual magical customs, Sicilian folk culture also incorporates communal rituals and festivals that involve collective spiritual experiences. One such festival is the Feast of Saint Joseph, celebrated on March 19th. During this festival, a table is set with various types of food, symbolizing abundance and prosperity. This offering is believed to bring blessings to the community and ensure a bountiful harvest. Overall, the magic customs of Sicilian folk reflect a deep-rooted connection with nature, spirituality, and the supernatural. These practices serve as a way to navigate the challenges of life, seek protection, and connect with the divine. While some may dismiss these customs as mere superstitions, they continue to play a significant role in the cultural fabric of Sicily, preserving ancient traditions and beliefs..
Reviews for "The Sacred Role of Priestesses and Healers in Sicilian Folk Magic"
1. Mark - 2/5
I was really disappointed with "Magic customs of Sicilian Folk". The book promised to delve into the rich cultural history of Sicily, but instead, it was just a collection of generic and superficial information about popular tourist attractions. I was hoping for an in-depth exploration of the unique customs and traditions of the Sicilian people, but unfortunately, this book barely scratched the surface. It felt like the author did little research and relied on stereotypes to fill the pages. Overall, I would not recommend this book to anyone looking for a true understanding of Sicilian folklore.
2. Linda - 2/5
As someone who has a deep interest in folklore and magic, I was really excited to read "Magic customs of Sicilian Folk". However, I found the book to be incredibly dull and uninspiring. The author repeats the same information over and over again, and the writing style is dry and monotonous. There was no sense of wonder or excitement that one would expect from a book about magical customs. Additionally, I was hoping for more detailed explanations and examples of the different rituals and practices, but they were glossed over and not explored in enough depth. Overall, I was left wanting more and would not recommend this book to others.
3. Sarah - 1/5
"Magic customs of Sicilian Folk" was a major letdown for me. The book seemed to be more focused on the author's personal anecdotes and opinions rather than providing any meaningful information about Sicilian magic customs. The author's writing style was overly verbose and unnecessarily complicated, making it difficult to follow and understand the content. Furthermore, there were numerous factual errors and inconsistencies throughout the book, which made it hard to trust the information presented. Overall, this book felt like a jumbled mess and I would not recommend it to anyone looking for accurate and insightful information on the topic.