Hereditary Witchcraft: Secrets of the Old Religion [Paperback]

Raven Grimassi (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 8, 1999

Discover the real sources of many of the traditions, beliefs, and techniques of modern Witchcraft! And what author Raven Grimassi reveals in Hereditary Witchcraft is the documented ancient roots of the Old Religion.
One-by-one, Grimassi goes through the tenets of Witchcraft and shows their ancient sources. The association of the pentagram with Witchcraft goes back at least 2,500 years. The idea of the four elements goes back to a philosopher named Empedocles of Sicily in around 475 B.C.E. The practice of many covens today of having a Priestess, Priest, and Maiden can be traced back over 2,000 years to ancient Pompeii.
This book is filled with history, myth, and folklore. But it is also filled with rituals and techniques that you can do. On these pages you will learn how to prepare and banish a magic circle. You'll learn rituals you can do by yourself, including those for the Solstices, Diana's Day, and Cornucopia. With this information you can become a follower of the Old Ways!
Of course, one of the most famous aspects of Witchcraft is magick. Grimassi doesn't disappoint here, either. You'll learn runic magick and divination; you'll learn about doing magick with the Moon and stars; you'll learn secret symbols and the powers of herbs.
If you are a Witch - or you're thinking about becoming a Witch - this is one of the most important books you could possibly have. You'll find the documentation to support the antiquity of your beliefs and the way Witchcraft is practiced today. This book is both a guide for everyday life and a resource to discover Wiccan origins. If you don't have a copy of this book, get one today. You'll use it for the rest of your life.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

Like many of you reading this, I have my own library. Because I have been collecting occult books and manuscripts for over half a century, my library has gotten so large that at times it is difficult to find information I need. That is why Hereditary Witchcraft by Raven Grimassi is such an invaluable tool. No longer do I have to go through old volumes to find a bit here or a sentence there. Grimassi has done all the hard work for us. It's great to have all of this information on hand!
Grimassi has traced the sources of an amazing number of beliefs and practices. In an age where cynicism and doubt are rampant, it is great to have references so you can identify the antiquity of what you do and believe.
You could say that this is a book for scholars, because the scholarship in this book is impeccable. But this book is far more! It is a living, breathing document showing how Wicca has evolved over the centuries. It also shows how you can practice the "Old Ways" of Witchcraft, even if you are not near a coven. In this book you will learn important rites and rituals that you can perform in private.
The magical techniques and information here are wonderful. Grimassi shares his knowledge of the magick of the stars. He also shares the secrets of the Tuscan Runes and how you can use them for divination. For the first time this information becomes something practical that you can use!
Expert scholarship combined with an easy writing style and practical information makes this a usable resource that you simply must have. If you don't have a copy you should get one right away. The greater depth of your knowledge of Witchcraft lore and techniques will be your reward.

About the Author

Raven Grimassi is a Neo-Pagan scholar and award-winning author of over twelve books on Witchcraft, Wicca, and Neo-Paganism. He is a member of the American Folk Lore Society and is co-founder and co-director of the College of the Crossroads.

Raven's background includes training in the Rosicrucian Order as well as the study of the Kabbalah through the First Temple of Tifareth under Lady Sara Cunningham. His early magical career began in the late 1960s and involved the study of works by Franz Bardon, Eliphas Levi, William Barrett, Dion Fortune, William Gray, William Butler, and Israel Regardie.

Today Raven is the directing Elder of the tradition of Aridian Witchcraft, and together with his wife Stephanie Taylor he is developing a complete teaching system known as Ash, Birch and Willow. This system is the culmination of over 35 years of study and practice in the magical and spiritual traditions of the indigenous people of pre-Christian Europe.

 

Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Llewellyn Publications; First Edition edition (September 8, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1567182569
• ISBN-13: 978-1567182569
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 7.4 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (23 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #161,373 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

I was born in Pittsburgh, PA, to an Italian immigrant who married an American soldier at the close of World War II. My earliest training was in what I call a "peasant witchcraft" tradition, which consisted of Witchcraft and Folk Magic practices of Old Italy. Over the past four decades I have been a practitioner of several Witchcraft and Wiccan traditions. At present I am the directing Elder of the Ash, Birch & Willow tradition, which is a system of "Old Ways Witchcraft" not originating from any single region of Europe, but instead embracing what is held in common among many lands.

I currently have over 14 books in print and write on the topics of Witchcraft, Wicca and Magic. Many people seem to peg me as an author on Italian Witchcraft exclusively, but in fact only two of my books are about that specific subject. The primary focus of my work is about pre-Christian European beliefs and practices that appear in contemporary systems. In doing so I look to the commonalities of European traditions that appear in various regions instead of just one.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Well researched documentation, November 20, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Hereditary Witchcraft: Secrets of the Old Religion (Paperback)

Unlike many authors on the modern practice of Witchcraft, this author provides historical documentation that supports his claims. His presentation of Italian Witchcraft, as he reveals it, is rooted firmly in the classical era writings on Roman Witchcraft as well as trial transcripts from the Inquisition in Venice and 19th century writings by primary Italian folklorists who investigated Witchcraft in northern and central Italy.

What I found of particular interest is the historical documentation of aspects of Italian Witchcraft involving ritual circles, cakes & wine, elemental spirits, full moon gatherings, and the classic altar tools, all of which pre-date Gardnerian Wicca by several centuries in Old Italy.

It is refreshing to see historical documentation back up the claims of a modern writer on Witchcraft. If you are interested in an authentic system of old Witchcraft, supported by the facts, then Grimassi's book is the one to pick.

32 of 36 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Italian Witchcraft revisited, December 29, 1999

By 

"starrwalker" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Hereditary Witchcraft: Secrets of the Old Religion (Paperback)

One of the advantages of reading an author like Raven Grimassi is that you don't have to worry about whether or not the information is correct or not. He is the Grimass, the head of the clan, and a leading authority on the subject of Italian Witchcraft. His information is accurate, timely, and well-written. Each book he writes, you think he couldn't do another and yet he has a wealth of information for todays student.

This book is presented like a Book of Shadows. He begins with a historical presentation of the Craft and of Strega. Next are some brief myths and legends concerning the God/desses of the Old Religion and a discussion of familiar spirits. do you know what a Lara Shrine is? Why they use fava beans? What are the Blood Secrets of the Craft?

The next section has spells that are more than 100 years old! Including a charming spell for Fairy Dust and a Fairy Sight Stone. The chapter devoted to Rituals is done in great detail with complete scripts, altar layout, gestures, and explanations of the Sabbats. It is highly useful and interesting presentation.

Much of the book is devoted to divination, sigils, talismans and more. Can you read the Tuscan Runes or the Sea Magick Runes? Learn the influence of the lunar mansions and more by reading this powerful book!

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Amazing Book!, November 20, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Hereditary Witchcraft: Secrets of the Old Religion (Paperback)

Thank You Mr. Grimassi, for giving us a view of what it is like to grow up in the Old Ways. This book is amazing! In one book, we get a deeper persective of the historical and cultural background of Italian Witchcraft, solitary rituals for those of us who are out there alone, and the further tales of Aradia!

There is more than one Italian Tradition out there..no one can claim a definitive version of stregheria. Mr. Grimassi makes that very clear in his introductions. Anyone who thinks this book represents *italian wicca*, obviously hasn't read it. And, who cares if his real name is Grimassi or not?