The Gifts of Aradia

Some people look to Witchcraft as a way to gain some sort of mystical array of powers. They do not come to the Religion because it speaks to them, but for what they feel they will gain from its practice. This, I feel, is not a "true" Witch - a Witch practices because the beliefs fit her own, because the system calls to her. It's akin to John F. Kennedy's famous quote, "Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country." Ask not what Witchcraft will give to you, but what you can give back.

That's not to say that there's nothing to be gained by the practice of Stregheria. The meanings behind the Mythos bring us closer in tune with Nature. The regular practice of the Treguendas, and Veglione all work to teach us the true meaning of the Mythos. As such, certain "gifts" are discovered, that were there all the time. It takes the dedication to the Old Religion to bring them forth, or enhance them. What follows are the Gifts of Aradia, as listed in Raven Grimassi's Ways of the Strega.

The Gifts of Aradia

In the fourteenth century, Aradia taught that the traditional powers of a witch would belong to any who followed in the ways of the Old Religion. Aradia called these powers gifts, because she stressed the point that these powers were the benefits of adhering to the Old Ways, and not the reason for becoming a witch. These are the powers:

  • To bring success in love.
  • To bless and consecrate.
  • To speak with spirits.
  • To know of hidding things.
  • To call forth spirits.
  • To know the Voice of the Wind.
  • To possess the knowledge of transformation.
  • To possess the knowledge of divination.
  • To know and understand secret signs.
  • To cure disease.
  • To bring forth beauty.
  • To have influence over whild beasts.
  • To know the secrets of the hands.

Taken from Raven Grimassi's Ways of the Strega, page 271.


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