Spells
and Incantations
All Italian witches use incantations, spells to ward off "La
Malochio," The Evil Eye. It is much like the Jewish Canahura. Someone says
something to you they don't mean, or wishes you bad luck--you have the evil eye
upon you. First you must recognize that you have the Evil Eye. The best way to
do this is:
Olio
e Acqua
Take a large silver bowl and fill it with clean, pure water--say: " I
wish to see, I wish to try, to envision-who's giving me the Evil eye."
Take some pure extra virgin (green) olive oil and with an eye dropper, one on
top of the other, drop nine drops of oil into the water-as you do this count
the nine drops-very slowly and deliberately. Watch the drops. if they stay
clumped together, there is no evil eye-just a run of bad luck-if they
separate-you may have the Evil Eye, or even worse a "fatura” an evil spell
cast upon you. Take a solid silver scissor and with the point, stab each oil
drop and say "Scatta!!" three times for each drop. Wait twenty four
hours and do it again to see if all has lifted, if not-then more serious
measures must be taken.
The
Scissors
Scissors are used in spells for many reasons-they cut, reshape, stab, and
it's "X" shape when opened is a natural protective symbol. It is used
in many spells for breaking bad habits, reshaping a relationship, breaking
hexes. In my tradition, we sometimes use the scissor to open a circle instead
of the spirit knife. scissors are placed with the point up to keep in its
power. The handle can be painted black as long as it is solid silver.
Keys/Coins
The key is an essential part of a Strega list of indispensable tools for
spell casting. It should be a very old key, one of those skeletal keys--the
older the better; however, any consecrated key will work. Keys are used to
"open" things. Especially, the world of business, job opportunities,
shelter (homes, apartments, condos), "opening" up health issues and
allowing healing to happen, Keys are used as pendulums to yes/no questions-hang
a key on a black string and use as a pendulum. Coins are also used to open up
or close down things. Coins on the eyes after death closes them and are used to
purchase a seat on Charon's boat to cross the river Styx (a Greco/Roman
tradition). coins are used in spells of healing and cleansing.
Moon
Magick
The Moon, the embodiment of Bella Diana, is worshipped and adored. She is
also the consecrator of tools, water, stones, gems, cords, knives, and mirrors.
We begin on the night of the new moon whenever something needs to be
consecrated and for nine nights, from nine to midnight, anything that needs to
be cleansed and consecrated is set out before the moon. On the full moon the
actual consecration takes place. The four elements are conjured and the fifth,
the breath, is very important in many spells as well as cleansing and
consecration. We do spells under the moonlight as well, especially cord and
knot magick, and of course, nine knots is usually the number for a spell cord.
We also have elemental cords which have seven knots, and the initiation cord
which consists of three yarns, red, black, and white and is nine feet long and
braided by the prospective dedicate. It is then consecrated as usual in the
moonlight.
We also have moon altars which can be set up either permanently or before a
full moon. We use seven or nine mirrors aimed at the moon and at the right
time, when the moon is reflected in the main mirror set at the bottom, we use
that power and capture it for later use. We do this by using moon water. Pure
water and rosewater is combined with pure sea salt and consecrated in the usual
way before hand. The bottle is set upon the mirror and at the correct time and
angle the moon's power is collected for later use. This moon water is very
powerful and tingles when used in a spell or to purify something. We use it to
remove old energies built up on anything and cleanse it.
Self-dedication is done by using a pure, white sheet, a single white rose.
initiation nine foot cord, and moon water for anointing. One goes out under the
full moon and sits wrapped in the sheet and dedicates the rose to Diana. One
says one is a daughter/son of Diana and declares he/she is Strega. The cord is
then wrapped around the waist and knotted nine times for a woman, or wrapped
around the waist eight times and then the scrotum of a male. Self dedication is
reserved for those who are solitary and do not have anyone to initiate them,
after all, who dedicated the first Strega?
The
Folletti
The Folletti, or fairies, are not exactly like the ones in Celtic
myths--they can be quite frightening and mischievous. Folletti have to be
honored and given proper attention, or they will wreck havoc in your garden,
house, and electrical appliances. They don't like new fangled stuff and often
will break them unless one has a relationship with them. Italians know this and
often talk to their refrigerators, computers, plants. They name them (my
computer's name is Felicity).They coax them, They plead with them. Yes, even a
Catholic Italian will do this. A folletti will find things for you, and the
exact ritual used to let St. Anthony know that you are looking for something is
the same for asking a folletti. You look around and say nine times, "Where
is my (whatever you lost)", and then you go outside the room and ask St.
Anthony (or a folletti) to find it for you and show it to you. Try it--it
works!!
Rue,
Fava Beans, Fennel, Rosemary
Rue, Ruta, Ruda, is the most sacred herb in Stregheria. It is used to
protect the home, family, and circle. It must planted in front of your house,
either in a pot or in the ground. A special ceremony is used when harvesting
rue to dry so one may burn it as incense. Rue is placed on the forehead before
any spell work and with olive oil is the most sacred of oils. Fava beans
protects the Lare shrine and nine dried ones are usually kept in a bag on the
ancestor altar. It is changed in the spring after the beans are dried. Fennel
stalks fend away enemies and the dark side of Strega. And when used with rue
sprigs, rosemary springs in a spell, it will surely drive your enemies away.
Rosemary is also protective an one should be planted every year in front of your
house.