The Tomato Plateau Spell refers to a phenomenon that occurs in tomato plants. It is characterized by a period of stunted growth and limited fruit production. This plateau spell can be frustrating for gardeners and farmers who are expecting a bountiful tomato harvest. During this period, tomato plants seem to stop growing and producing new fruit. The plants may appear healthy and lush, but they fail to produce the desired yields. This can be particularly frustrating for gardeners who have put in a lot of effort to cultivate their plants.
I draw the attention back to her and learn of the people in her life — her husband of the past 36 years, her Coven, her son Anthony who does readings, her daughter who has psychic ability, and her new grandchild who definitely does. I ask Lori how she knows this and she says, “I feel it. Every time I’m around her. I predicted her 26 years before she was born and my daughter will stand by that. I told her she would be having a little girl who was dark skinned and would take my place when I was very old.” Lori chuckles, adding, ” I just made 73.”
And right under their noses, they would warn the mothers, when the Inquisition was coming; the host would be put in the mouth flat they would turn it up and down. On an afternoon in early December, I drive up to meet Lori Bruno, an Italian-American strega whose family claims descent from the Sicilan strega line of witchcraft.
This can be particularly frustrating for gardeners who have put in a lot of effort to cultivate their plants. There are several factors that can contribute to the tomato plateau spell. One of the main causes is temperature fluctuations.
Stregheria and Italian-American Folk Magic
‘Stregheria’ is a term used almost exclusively by American anglophones talking about a witchcraft tradition which allegedly emerges from Italy. Often, it is accompanied by Murrayesque claims of an unbroken pagan priesthood operating in secret up until today. Much of the work presented as ‘Stregheria’ appears to have originated with the writings of Raven Grimassi, which must be read with a critical eye. Grimassi is a controversial figure among Italian practitioners, to say the least. He himself states:
My first attempts at providing information on the Italian Craft began around 1979 with the self publication of books and a magazine. Working from material I had copied in my late teens and early twenties, I created an “outer-court” system through which I could convey the basic concepts of initiate teachings. Looking back on these early projects they were crude and amateurish. But for the time period they seemed to fit in with what most people were producing. …Thinking back on those days now I realize that I was a “true believer” in the things I had been taught and had learned. I think this was no more evident than in my writings on Aradia, which I presented in a self published work titled The Book of the Holy Strega.
I am not interested in critiquing Grimassi’s work or policing the self-identification of other practitioners. However, there are several facts which I think should be brought to bear when evaluating the claims of people who purport to practice, teach, or provide magical services under the banner of ‘Stregheria’.
‘Stregheria’ is not a common word in Italy. The Italian word for ‘witchcraft’ is stregoneria, and it has profoundly negative connotations, although some modern practitioners have followed the example of their anglophone counterparts and begin reappropriating the term. This is not to say that the word 'stregheria' is entirely fabricated; it appears in a handful of texts from the 18th and 19th centuries. Nevertheless, it’s a word that most native Italian speakers will never have heard. It puts more distance between the anglophone American practitioner and and the people who live in the region where their tradition allegedly originates.
The matter becomes more complicated when we consider the vast linguistic and cultural diversity of the modern nation of Italy. Italy as a unified country has only existed since 1861. The concept of a pan-Italian ethnic identity is even newer. Each region within Italy has a distinct culture, with attendant variations in language, food, and religious practice. As most of the Italian immigrants to United States came from the Mezzogiorno region of Southern Italy and Sicily, we would expect them to have their own regionally-specific socio-magical roles and unique words for them in their own dialects.
Some modern Italian and Italian-American practitioners use the term ‘benedicaria’, a neologism which emphasizes the role of blessing and Catholic sacramentals in the work. Practitioners of benedicaria may or may not identify with the social role of the witch. The line between ‘stregoneria’ and ‘benedicaria’ remains blurry at best. My experience with practitioners who use the term benedicaria is that they tend to pay closer attention to historical folk practices, which is laudable. However, the term is not itself historically attested, and we may hypothesize that whatever thing it represents was never meant to have a name.
So why bother with this line of inquiry? Does it really matter what word is used? If the people purporting to practice ‘Stregheria’ changed their branding to so it said ‘stregoneria’, or ‘benedicaria’, or even ‘Italian folk magic’, would that resolve the issue?
Not necessarily. The larger problem here is not what word is used, but how. It’s about forging a deep, authentic relationship with the people and the land that these words come from. And for Italian-Americans in particular, it’s about strengthening our relationship with our ancestors while respecting their other descendants. When anglophones (and American anglophones in particular) use the word ‘Stregheria’, they are engaging in a kind of exotification and cultural appropriation. Swapping one word for another will not necessarily eliminate those deeper issues.
Returning for a second to Grimassi, much of his work draws on reconstructions of ancient Etruscan religion. The Etruscans inhabited the regions now known as Tuscany, western Umbria, and northern Lazio. By contrast, approximately 84% of Italian-Americans trace their roots to Southern Italy and Sicily. Most Italian-American family traditions and folk religion will not be illuminated by study of Etruscan paganism. A practitioner with roots in Naples is better served by studying the cult of San Gennaro, the cult of the Holy Souls in Purgatory at Fontenelle Cemetery, or the cult of Mama Schiavona at Montevergine–cults which, unlike the Etruscans, survive until this day and can be experienced as living traditions rather than reconstructions.
But it is just these living traditions that some seek to negate by practicing Stregheria. Certainly, there are many legitimate reasons to be uncomfortable with Christianity in general and the Catholic Church in particular. Yet some of the most pagan-seeming Italian cults originate late into the Christian era–for example, the Madonna delle Galline, an emanation of the Madonna covered in chickens who originates in the 17th century. Likewise, the necromantic cults of the Holy Souls in Purgatory and the Headless Souls do not, as one might think, originate in pagan hero cults. Peter Brown in his classic work The Cult of the Saints demonstrates that even the cult of the saints as collective, rather than personal, dead was only possible with the innovation of Christianity. Nascent Christianity broke many of the pagan and Jewish taboos on ancestor worship, including contact with the remains of the dead. Removing these traditions from their Christian framework is not only historically inaccurate, but, as scholar Sabina Magliocco writes, it “does violence to the way practitioners [of living traditions] perceive themselves.”
Of course, this is not to say that Italian-Americans must simply emulate their Mediterranean cousins. Doing so is equally problematic, and ignores the fact that many rich cultural traditions, including entire dialects, are better preserved in the Americas than in the old country. The most fruitful approach is considering a real, rather than imagined history: a history which includes both Christianity and the trauma of immigration. That is how we wake up our saints.
I ask how far back in Lori’s family the strega tradition goes and she tells me that her family ‘s history of witchcraft, magic, and healing date back to at least the 10th century, as do stories of stigmatization and persecution. On her father’s side, the Brunos trace their family back to 969 A.D,. to Jawhar Siqilli Rumi , who ruled the island of Sicily under the Caliph of Bagdad. Her mother’s side claims descent from the philosopher Giordano Bruno , of Nola, Italy, who was burned at the stake as a heretic by the order of the Pope.
Tomato plants prefer consistent temperatures, and drastic fluctuations can disrupt their growth patterns. High temperatures can inhibit fruit set, leading to reduced yields. On the other hand, cold temperatures can slow down the plant's metabolism, resulting in stunted growth. Another factor that can contribute to the plateau spell is nutrient deficiency. Tomato plants require a balance of nutrients to grow and produce fruit. If the soil lacks essential nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus, or potassium, the plants may experience a slowdown in growth and fruit production. In addition, inadequate watering practices can also contribute to the tomato plateau spell. Tomato plants require regular and consistent watering to thrive. Underwatering can stress the plants and impede their growth, while overwatering can lead to root rot and nutrient leaching. To overcome the tomato plateau spell and encourage healthy growth and fruit production, several measures can be taken. Firstly, it is important to provide the plants with optimal growing conditions, including proper temperatures and adequate sunlight. Additionally, regular soil testing and fertilization can help maintain nutrient levels and address any deficiencies. Proper watering practices should also be implemented, ensuring that the plants receive enough water without being overwatered. Mulching can help retain moisture in the soil and prevent water loss due to evaporation. Overall, the tomato plateau spell can be frustrating for gardeners and farmers, but with proper care and attention to the plants' needs, it can be overcome. Identifying and addressing the underlying factors contributing to the plateau spell, such as temperature fluctuations, nutrient deficiencies, and inadequate watering, is crucial for restoring healthy growth and abundant fruit production in tomato plants..
Reviews for "Tomatoes on Steroids: The Tomato Plateau Spell's Incredible Results"
1. Emily - 1/5: I was really disappointed with "Tomato plateau spell". The plot was confusing and didn't make any sense. The characters were also one-dimensional and lacked depth. The writing style was dull and uninspiring. Overall, I couldn't connect with the story and found it to be a waste of time.
2. Mark - 2/5: I had high hopes for "Tomato plateau spell" but it fell short for me. The pacing was extremely slow, and I found myself getting bored throughout the book. The world-building was also lackluster, and I didn't feel immersed in the story at all. The ending was also unsatisfying and left me with more questions than answers. I wouldn't recommend this book if you're looking for an engaging and captivating read.
3. Anna - 2/5: "Tomato plateau spell" was quite a letdown for me. The characters were difficult to relate to and their actions felt forced and unrealistic. The writing style was also distracting, with lengthy descriptions that didn't contribute much to the overall plot. Additionally, the plot itself was predictable and lacked originality. I was hoping for more from this book, but it didn't live up to my expectations.
4. Derek - 1/5: I struggled to finish "Tomato plateau spell". The story was convoluted and confusing, with events happening without any clear explanation. The character development was also lacking, as I couldn't connect with any of the protagonists. The writing style was bland and repetitive, making it difficult to stay engaged. Overall, I was highly disappointed with this book and wouldn't recommend it to others.
5. Sophie - 2/5: I found "Tomato plateau spell" to be underwhelming. The pacing was uneven, with slow sections that dragged on for too long. The dialogue felt unnatural and the characters lacked depth. The world-building was also vague and unclear. While there were some interesting ideas, they were not fully explored and left me wanting more. Overall, it was a mediocre read that didn't capture my attention.