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<H3>This Study Guide comes from the many questions which arose when I read 'Ways of the Strega' by Raven Grimassi. The Questions are chapter by chapter to help you through the book. Even if you have read the book before I urge you to sit down with it again and answer these questions. Some are easy; some will challenge your thought process and all will help you gain a deeper knowledge of 'La Vecchia Religione'. You may want to keep a journal. The information presented on my site does not even come close to exploring all that is 'Stregheria'. </h3>
<br><br>
All questions are property of Fabrisia and may not be reproduced without my consent.
<br><br<br>
<FONT COLOR=#FFFF00><h3>Introduction:<br><br>
1. What are the two Italian words used for 'witch'?<P>
2. What is the Italian word for 'coven'?<P>
3. What clans make up the Triad Traditions? Where are they located?<P>
4. What is the function of the 'grimas'?<P><br><br>
Chapter 1:<br><br>
1. Why do you think those who follow La Vecchia Religione were/are so secretive?<P>
2. On page 5 we see a 'Cimaruta'. What symbols do you see and what do you think they mean?<P>
3. Why would the following items be believed to contain power or 'Numen'....keys, scissors, pearls, coral, garlic, salt?<P>
4. What is the function of the 'Lare'?<P><BR><BR>
Chapter 2:<br><br>
1. What was the basis for the 'evil witch' image?<P>
2. How might we today prevent prejudices against witches from occuring?<P>
3. What is your perception of 'numen'?<P>
4. Why was the hearth and fireplace so important?<P>
5. In Italian, what are the full moon gatherings called?<P><BR><BR>
Chapter 3:<br><br>
1.Why do you think that participation in the Treguendas brings you into harmony with Nature?<P>
2. What are the Spiritual Festivals? The Earth Festivals?<P>
3. List the Treguendas.<P>
4. When does the religious year begin?<P>
5. How do you view 'the Wheel of the Year'><P><br><br>
Chapter 4:<br><br>
1. Why would you think that the 'souls of the dead' dwelled upon the Moon?<P>
2. What purpose do the cyles of the Moon serve?<P>
3. According to early lore of the Strega, what were the 'shadowed' parts of the Moon thought to be?<P>
4. What clan is the keeper of Lunar Mysteries?<P>
5. Why are the phases of the Moon important with regard to planting and harvesting?<P>
6. On page 34 is a picture of an Ancient Italian Moon Tree. What is your interpretation of this?<P>
7. Why would a tree or trees be associated with the Moon?<P><br><br>
Chapter 5:<br><br>
1. Why would many modern Strega consider Catholics to be Pagans?<P>
2. Describe Befana and Befano.<P>
3. What roles do they serve?<P>
4. Why was Befana burned in effigy?<P>
5. How would you compare Befana with Hecate?<P>
6. Look at the picture on page 43 and describe the scene.<P>
7. What is the fava plant associated with and why?<P>
8. What is 'Ognissanti'?<P>
9. What are some of the pagan feasts that were renamed by the Catholics?<P>
10. Describe the Cycle of the Year.<P><br><br>
Chapter 6:<br><br>
1. What are the Watchers called?<P>
2. Through which Clan do we begin to understand who the Watchers are?<P>
3. What were the names of the 4 'royal' stars and what positions did they hold?<P>
4. Explain your interpretation of : the Watchers are the Guardians of the Dimensional Planes. (p 50)<P>
5. When is our first encounter with the Watchers?<P>
6. What is the relationship between the witch and the Watchers?<P>
7. Why are our rites to be witnessed by the Watchers?<P><br><br>
Chapter 7:<br><br>
1. What are the three titles and aspects by which the God is known?<P>
2. How did these aspects evolve?<P>
3. Have a look at the picture on page 56 and describe what you see.<P>
4. Why are wolves the symbols of the power of Winter?<P>
5. Why would the ancients have depicted the Lare holding a drinking cup adorned with a stag head?<P>
6. At what rites would we find the Lord of Misrule?<P>
7. Altho Carnevale is not a Time of Gathering or Holy Day (as noted on page 252), what is its purpose?<P>
8. Where do we encounter the Cavallino?<P>
9. Who were the Luperci?<P>
10. Where does the word 'pagan' come from?<P>
11. Is there a difference between the festival of Lupercus and the Lupercalia?<P>
12.The Holy Strega says that 'witches must be free'. What do you think is meant by this?<P>
13. Who are the Benandanti?<P>
14. Who are the Malandanti?<P>
15. How do you percieve the term 'ritual combat'?<P>
16. Why are the Malandanti associated with sorghum stalks? And why are the Benandanti associated with fennel stalks?<P><br><br>
Chapter 8:<br><br>
1. On page 70 is a picture of a Tuscan witch. What do you see in this picture??<P>
2. Interesting to note that Leland was the founder and first president of the Gypsy Lore Society. For me being also a genealogist, I have had minor contact with them. (I had an ancestor who was Roamny and found in Britain and deported to America in 1638. He was deported for the simple reason that he WAS Romany! This Society relates to those of the Romany or Gypsy race. <P>
3. Has anyone read something by one of these three men?? If so what?<P>
4. At the risk of a debate, why do you think Gardner 'borrowed' from Leland?<P><br><br>
Chapter 9, part 1:<br><br>
1. What is the earliest tool of the Strega?<P>
2. Why are a witches 'tools' likened to that of a spiritual warrior?<P>
3. What are the other tools of the Strega?<P>
4. Why is the wand a tool of request rather than of demand?<P>
5. What is the wand used for?<P>
6. Why is a shell used for the Spirit Bowl?<P>
7. What is the chalice or cup symbolic of?<P>
8. What is the spirit blade or sword used for?<P>
9. How would you prepare the blade for use?<P>
10. What is a pentacle? What is a pentagram?<P>
11. What is the purpose of the Nanta bag?<P>
12. What is contained in the Nanta bag?<P>
13. What is the broom used for?<P>
14. Any thoughts on why the Strega were portrayed as riding on the back of goats?<P>
15. How could scissors be used to break spells?<P>
16. What is the cauldron used for?<P>
17. We have already discussed the Lare/Lasa. Any further questions on this?<P>
18. What material might you use for your wand?<P>
19. Is the length of the wand important? Why?<P>
20. Define the word 'tools'. <P>
21. How is the wand prepared for use?<P><br><br>
Chapter 9, part 2:<br><br>
1. On the spirit bowl is the symbol of Aradia. Why?<p>
2. What symbols go on the wand and why?<P>
3. What symbols go on the spirit blade and why?<P>
4. What is the difference bewteen a 'symbol' and a 'sigil'?<P>
5. Notice that the symbol for Harmony of Spirit and Matter is 2 triangles: what could these 2 triangles symbolize?<P><br><br>
Chapter 10:<br><br>
1. What is one fo the most powerful tools a Strega can possess and why?<P>
2. What is the focal point of the altar?<P>
3. What does the blue flame represent?<P>
4. Why was fire important ot the ancients?<P>
5. What forms the Traingle of Light?<P>
6. Have you done the Gesture of Power on page 95 of ' Ways'? Tell us about your emotions while doing this and after? What were your feelings? <P>
7. What are the Centers of Power?<P>
8. Is Drawing Down the Moon the same as invoking the Goddess? Why or why not?<P>
9. Who has tried any of the 5 different Techniques described in 'Ways', and how did you feel emotionally or physically about them?<P><br><br>
Chapter 11:<br><br>
The Rite of Dedication<br>
1. Who has done this dedication and would you share your feelings before, during, or after the rite?<P>
2. Why is the sprig of rue important?<P><br>
Altar Arrangement <br>
1. Where is the altar traditionally set?<P>
2. Tell us , if you would, about your altar and the items it contains.<P><br>
Preparation of the Ritual Circle<br>
1. What will you use for elemental bowls?<P>
2. What type of incense will you use?<P>
3. Why a silver bell? Will not a gold or bronze one work as well?<P><br>
Banishing a Cast Circle<br>
1. Why is this important to do?<P><br>
Rite of Union<BR>
1. Why is the Rite of Union important?<P>
2. Who has done this rite and will share their feelings about it?<P><br>
Full Moon<br>
1. Why would we gesture the 'Moon Altar' hand position (figure 24) to the Full Moon?<P>
2. What does the 'Triangle of Manifestation' represent to you?<P>
3. What does the 'sign of the Goddess' mean to you?<P>
4. What does the 'sign of the God' mean to you?<P>
5. Who has done the Full Moon Ritual and would like to share their experience with us? I realize the directions are for a group, so how did you adapt it to solitary use?<P>
6. Why is the 'Rite of Union' an important part of the full Moon Ritual?<P>
7. Why do you think offerings are made to Tana in the West?<P><br><br>
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