Etruscan Magic & Occult Remedies

ETRUSCAN

MAGIC & Occult Remedies Charles Godfrey Leland

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PUBLISHING

Etruscan Magic & Occult Remedies Author: Charles Godfrey Leland

Original title: Etruscan Roman Remains in Popular Tradition (1892) Cover image: S pring (1883) by Carolus-Duran (Charles Emile Auguste Durand, 1837-1917) Lay-out: www.burokd.nl ISBN 978-94-92355-00-3 Š 2015 Revised publication by:

VAMzzz Publishing P.O. Box 3340 1001 AC Amsterdam The Netherlands www.vamzzz.com contactvamzzz@gmail.com

Turan, or Venus

ETRUSCAN

MAGIC & Occult Remedies Charles Godfrey Leland

VAMzzz

PUBLISHING

Charles Godfrey Leland August 15, 1824 – March 20, 1903

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CONTENTS

PART ONE Gods and Goblins CHAPTER I Tinia—39 Buschet—53 Impusa della Morte—58 Siero—62 Norcia, The Goddess of Truffles—64 Aplu—68 Turanna—72 Pano—81 CHAPTER II Maso—87 Mania Della Notte —90 CHAPTER III Feronia—93 Silviano—100 Paló—104 Esta—106 Carmenta—107 Il Sentiero —109 CHAPTER IV Faflon—111 Lo Spirito Della Contentezza—118 Corredoio—120 Orco—125 Tesana—126 Spulviero—130 Urfia—132 CHAPTER V Lares, Lasa and Lassi —133 Losna—146 Laronda—151 Lemuri—155 Tago—156 Fanio—158 Querciola—166 Sethano—169 CHAPTER VI Carradora—171 Vira—175 Bergoia—179 Bughin—184 Ganzio—186 Alpena—189

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CHAPTER VII Tituno—193 Albina—195 Verbio—198 Dusio—201 Remle—206 Jano, Meana, Montulga and Talena—207 Pico—215 CHAPTER VIII Floria—217 Ra—220 Bovo—222 Attilio—225 La Bella Marta—229 Diana and Herodias—239 Offerings to Spirits—250 CHAPTER IX Il Spirito del Scaldino—255 Artemisia—260 Red Cap—261 Of Sorcery in Ancient Art—266 The Goddess of the four winds - L’erba Rosolaccio —278 Madonna del Fuoco—284 La Cavalletta—287 CHAPTER X Cupra—293 Walnut witches—298 Witches and witchcraft—316 Zanchi—328 Hail and Cloud men—339 Stories of Witches and Goblins —353 Wizard Saints—383

PART TWO Incantation, Divination, Charms and Cures, Medicine and Amulets CHAPTER I La Stalla di Maiale—403 The spell of the ivy and the statue—411 The spell of the hare—415 The spell of the spider—419 The spell of the green lizard —426

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CHAPTER II Birds and treasures—433 The spell of the falling star—437 The spell of the acorns —440 The spell of the swallow—446 Minor cures from Marcellus—452 The three wise men of the east and the witch medals—480 CHAPTER III The exorcism of death—487 The spell of the cradle—492 Divination with lead—494 Divination by oil—500 Pyromancy and incense—511 The spell of the lamp—521 CHAPTER IV Evil incantations—525 The spell of the Holy Stone and the Salagrana—536 The spell of the shell and the tone of the stone—543 The spell of the snail—548 Il canto del gallo—550 Divination with ashes—557 CHAPTER V The amethyst—563 The spell of the black hen—570 The spell of the bell—575 The spell of the boiling clothes—580 Ring sorcery—585 Amulets, omens and small sorceries—588 Lead and antimony—603 Post Scriptum

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PART ONE Gods and Goblins

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INTRODUCTION

Turms, or Mercury

THERE IS IN Northern Italy a mountain district known as La Romagna Toscana, the inhabitants of which speak a rude form of the Bolognese dialect. These Romagnoli are manifestly a very ancient race, and appear to have preserved traditions and observances little changed from an incredibly early time. It has been a question of late years whether the Bolognese are of Etrurian origin, and it seems to have been generally decided that they are not. With this I have nothing whatever to do. They were probably there before the Etruscans.

But the latter at one time held all Italy, and it is very likely that they left in remote districts those traces of their culture to which this book refers. The name Romagna is applied to their district because it once formed part of the Papal or Roman dominion, and it is not to be confounded with La Romagna proper. Roughly speaking, the region to which I refer may be described as lying between Forli and 11

Ravenna. Among these people, stregeria, or witchcraft–or, as I have heard it called, “la vecchia religione” (or “the old religion”)–exists to a degree which would even astonish many Italians. This stregeria, or old religion, is something more than a sorcery, and something less than a faith. It consists in remains of a mythology of spirits, the principal of whom preserve the names and attributes of the old Etruscan gods, such as Tinia, or Jupiter, Faflon, or Bacchus, and Teramo (in Etruscan Turms), or Mercury. With these there still exist, in a few memories, the most ancient Roman rural deities, such as Silvanus, Palus, Pan, and the Fauns. To all of these invocations or prayers in rude metrical form are still addressed, or are at least preserved, and there are many stories current regarding them. All of these names, with their attributes, descriptions of spirits or gods, invocations and legends, will be found in this work.

Closely allied to the belief in these old deities, is a vast mass of curious tradition, such as that there is a spirit of every element or thing created, as for instance of every plant and mineral, and a guardian or leading spirit of all animals; or, as in the case of silkworms, two–one good and one evil. Also that sorcerers and witches are sometimes born again in their descendants; that all kinds of goblins, brownies, red-caps and three-inch mannikins, haunt forests, rocks, ruined towers, firesides and kitchens, or cellars, where they alternately madden or delight the maids–in short, all of that quaint company of familiar spirits which are boldly claimed as being of Northern birth

by German archæologists, but which investigation indicates to have been thoroughly at home in Italy while Rome was as yet young, or, 12

it may be, unbuilt. Whether this “lore” be Teutonic or Italian, or due to a common Aryan or Asian origin, or whether, as the new school teaches, it “growed” of itself, like Topsy, spontaneously and sporadically everywhere, I will not pretend to determine; suffice to say that I shall be satisfied should my collection prove to be of any value to those who take it on themselves to settle the higher question.

Connected in turn with these beliefs in folletti, or minor spirits, and their attendant observances and traditions, are vast numbers of magical cures with appropriate incantations, spells, and ceremonies, to attract love, to remove all evil influences or bring certain things to pass; to win in gaming, to evoke spirits, to insure good crops or a traveller’s happy return, and to effect divination or deviltry in many curious ways–all being ancient, as shown by allusions in classical writers to whom these spells were known. And I believe that in some cases what I have gathered and given will possibly be found to supply much that is missing in earlier authors–sit verbo venia.

Many peasants in the Romagna Toscana are familiar with scores of these spells, but the skilled repetition and execution of them is in the hands of certain cryptic witches, and a few obscure wizards who belong to mystic families, in which the occult art is preserved from generation to generation, under jealous fear of priests, cultured people, and all powers that be, just as gypsies and tramps deeply distrust everything that is not “on the road,” or all “honest folk,” so that it is no exaggeration to declare that “travellers” have no confidence or faith in the truth of any man, until they have caught him telling a few lies.

As it indeed befell me myself once in Bath, where it was declared in a 13

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Previews of all books including a complete table of contents can be viewed on www.vamzzz.com. More books will be added to the list. VAMzzz Publishing strives to publish new volumes every month. Please visit our website regularly for the latest updates.

Aradia Gospel of the Witches Charles Godfrey Leland 174 pages, paperback ISBN 9789492355010 www.vamzzz.com

Where Leland’s Etruscan Magic and Occult Remedies deals with the entire pantheon of old Italian gods and nature spirits, worshiped by the streghe, Aradia is focused on Diana or Tana, her daughter Aradia and Lucifer. Aradia, the queen of the Italian witches, or streghe, is as Leland concludes: ‘evidently enough Herodias, who was regarded in the beginning as associated with Diana as chief of the witches. This was not, as I opine, derived from the Herodias of the New Testament, but from an earlier replica of Lilith, bearing the same name.’ This wonderful book describes the creation according to Italian witch-lore. We also read about the witch-meeting or sabbath (treguenda) and it contains many original magical recipes, like spells for love and good fortune. Diana is further connected to the Moon and the fairy world.

VAMzzz Publishing revised this book with a Post Scriptum, containing biographical info on Charles Godfrey Leland, his witch-informant Maddalena and historical proof the witch-tradition is indeed linked to 2000 years of Diana worship.

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Taboo, Magic, Spirits A study of primitive elements in Roman religion

by Eli Edward Burriss 200 pages, Paperback, ISBN 9789492355034 In Ancient Rome Mana was the term used for a mysterious, magical medium, which could be helpful or harmful (Taboo). Just like the Chinese qi, it could empower the positive and the negative. Contents: Mana, Magic and Animism – Positive and Negative Mana (Taboo) – Miscellaneous Taboos – Magic Acts: The General Principles – Removing Evils by - Magic Acts – Incantation and Prayer– Naturalism and Animism.

Chaldean Magic It’s Origin and Development

by François Lenormant 454 pages, Paperback, ISBN 9789492355027 The essentials of magic in Chaldea are presented inside a context of comparison or contrast to Egyptian, Median, Turanian, Finno-Tartarian and Akkadian magic, mythologies, religion and speech. Interesting is the Chaldean demonology, with its incubus, succubus, vampire, nightmare and many Elemental spirits, most of them coalesced with the primal powers of nature.

Unicorn A mythological investigation

by Robert Brown Jr. 124 pages, Paperback, ISBN 9789492355072 Brown Jr. believes the unicorn to be a lunar symbol, and draws on mythology from a wide range of sources all over the world to build his case. The author discusses the heraldic use of the unicorn, relates the creature to ancient goddesses like Astarte, Hecate en the Gorgon Medusa, and provides the reader with lost esoteric Moon-lore.

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Là-Bas A Journey into the Self

by Joris-Karl Huysmans 378 pages, Paperback, ISBN 9789492355058 The plot of Là-Bas concerns the novelist Durtal, who is disgusted by the emptiness and vulgarity of the modern world. He seeks relief by turning to the study of the Middle Ages. Through his contacts in Paris, Durtal discovers that Satanism is not a thing of the past but alive and kicking in turn of the century France. The novel culminates with a description of a black mass.

Devil-worship in France Or The Question of Lucifer

by Arthur Edward Waite 240 pages, Paperback, ISBN 9789492355065 In Devil-Worship in France, Waite attempts to discern what is genuine from what is fake in the evidence of 19th century Satanism. To get the answers he spends a great deal of time investigating the French Masonic echelon, debunking a “conspiracy of falsehood” and determining what should be understood by Satanism and what not. Huysmans’ diabolical novel Là-Bas (1891) inspired Waite to write this sceptical analysis.

Testament of Solomon A First Century AD Grimoire 76 pages, Paperback, ISBN 9789492355041 A first century AD grimoire, and therefore the oldest, and least known, of all grimoires (magical instruction books) in the occult tradition. The book describes health inflicting demons of zodiacal decans, summoned

by King Solomon, and how he controlled them to use their forces to build his temple and more. Translated by F. C. Conybeare, appeared first in the Jewish Quarterly Review of October, 1898.

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Fairy Mythology (Volume 1) Romance and Superstition of Various Countries 1

by Thomas Keightley 404 pages, Paperback, ISBN 9789492355096 Fairy Mythology (Volume 2) Romance and Superstition of Various Countries 2

by Thomas Keightley 404 pages, Paperback, ISBN 9789492355102 The term Fairy covers all kinds of nature spirits, not just the tiny sugar sweet creatures hovering around flowers. A unique and impressive book on this subject, published in a revised 2 volume-edition. No wiccan or pagan can afford to leave these books unopened.

About Elves, Dwarfs, Kobolds, Trolls, Changelings, Meremaids, Nisses, Fairies, Brownies, Puck and other Elemental spirits all over the world.

Ophiolatreia Rites and Mysteries of Serpent Worship Author: Hargrave Jennings 186 pages, Paperback, ISBN 9789492355126 An account of the rites and mysteries connected with the origin, rise and development of serpent worship in various parts of the world, enriched with interesting traditions, and a full description of the celebrated serpent mounds & temples, the whole forming an exposition of one of the phases of phallic, or sex worship.

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Amazons - Two publications in one book I. The Amazons by Guy Cadogan Rothery II. R eligious Cults Associated With the Amazons

by Florence Mary Bennett 328 pages, Paperback, ISBN 9789492355089 Contents I: The Amazons of Antiquity – Amazons in Far Asia – Modern Amazons of the Caucasus – Amazons of Europe – Amazons of Africa – Amazons of America – The Amazon Stones.

Contents II: The Amazons in Greek legend – The Great Mother – Ephesian Artemis – Artemis Astrateia and Apollo Amazonius – Ares.

Voodoos and Obeahs Phases of West India Witchcraft

by Joseph J. Williams 374 pages, Paperback, ISBN 9789492355119 This work goes into great depth concerning the New World-African connection and is highly recommended if you want a deep understanding of the dramatic historical background of Haitian and Jamaican magic and witchcraft, and the profound influence of imperialism, slavery and racism on its development. Williams includes numerous quotations from rare documents and books on the topic.

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VAMzzz

PUBLISHING

The gods, spirits and sorcery of Italian witches Etruscan Magic & Occult Remedies by Charles Godfrey Leland was first published as Etruscan Roman Remains in Popular Tradition, in 1892. Part One of the book offers a complete and detailed insight in the Etruscan and Roman rooted pantheon of the Tuscan Streghe (witches).

Part Two describes many of their spells, incantations, sorcery and several lost divination methods.

Leland found himself at the crossroads of the academic and the romantic and it is precisely this, which makes the reading of his work so enjoyable. His primary aim was to preserve this ancient traditional knowledge, as he feared, it would soon be wiped out by modernism.

Much information in this book, Leland received first hand from the Tuscan witches Maddalena and Marietta.

His second work on Stregheria: Aradia, or the Gospel of the Witches was published seven years later in 1899.

One could state he reached his goal, as his books are still of invaluable importance to both the Italian folklore and the modern practitioner of witchcraft.

One of Leland’s readers was the late Gerald Gardner, which makes one wonder who was the true godfather of modern witchcraft‌ Special revised edition with an index of ancient Etruscan gods and spirits.

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