The old teachings tell us that the light of the full moon carries an astral substance, which effects our Inner Being (including emo- tions, rhythms, and subconscious activity). The Full Moon represents the presence of The Goddess, and in ancient times was considered the Goddess Herself. The Holy Strega taught (during the 14th Century) that participation in the Full Moon ritual, brought the people into a concentrated flow of this energy. This saturation of Lunar Emanation could then be directed, allowing it to provide raw energy for magical purposes, along with a personal empowerment which could increase physic (and magical) abilities.
In the Aridian Tradition, our ritual is designed to collect and concentrate these energies, in the ways which The Holy Strega taught. It is also a time for the worship of Deity. This is usually a combina- tion of chants, songs, and offerings. The ritual also includes a time in which the initiates are directed on an astral journey, through which the old teachings are experienced. Up to 3 works of magic can be performed during the rite, and this can be for the Community at large, or simply for individuals. The ritual concludes with a remembrance of Aradia (a "toast" in her honor) and the celebration of "cakes and wine".
Much of the old ways of our Tradition have been handed down from the time of The Holy Strega. She left a teaching which came to be called "The Charge". Even in the Public Domain, such writers as Char- les Leland (1890's) and Doreen Valiente (1950's & 60's) recorded elements of this very old teaching.
"Whenever you have need of anything, once in the month, when the moon is full, gather then in secret and give worship to She who is the Queen of all witches. Gather into the sacred circle, and secrets that are as yet unknown shall be reveal- ed to you. And you shall be free in mind, body, and spirit. And as a sign that you are truly free, you shall be naked in your rites. Then shall you sing, dance, feast, and make music and love. For such pleasures are the rituals of the Goddess.
Be true to your beliefs, and keep to the Old Ways beyond all obstacles. For our Ways are the keys to the Mysteries, and the Essence of the Cycles of Return. In life does the Queen of all witches reveal the knowledge of the Spirit. And from Death does She deliver you unto Peace, and renew you once again. In memory of me, shall you eat cakes of grain, wine, salt, and honey. These shall you shape like the Moon. Then shall you bless them in my name, and partake of them within your sacred gatherings.
For I am the Spirit of all Witches. Unto all who observe the appointed times, will the Queen of Heaven give power. And you shall know success in love, and have power to bless and to consecrate. And you shall know the tongue of the spirits, obtain knowle- dge of things which are hidden, and call forth spirits from the Mist. You shall know the Voice of the Wind, and the knowledge of changing forms. To you shall secret signs be revealed, and you shall possess power to heal. Wild beasts shall know you, and cause you no harm. As it was in the Time of our beginning, so is it now, so shall it be".
This is taken from the Book of the Holy Strega. Portions of it were written into Charles Leland's works (1894) and a version of it was written by Doreen Valiente (1950's-60's), based on the works of Leland's study of Italian Witchcraft.
Aradia (not to be confused with Charles Leland's distorted version) was born in Italy during the 14th Century and came to be a great Teacher (of The Old Religion). She was responsible for the 14th Century "revival" of Witchcraft, as noted by the Italian Inquisitor Bernardo Rategno in his text TRACTATUS DE STRIGIBUS (written in 1508 A.D.). Here he records that the "witches sect" had begun to expand rapidly, some 150 years prior. Research material published in 1887 records an interesting Legend, which we believe has preserved the story of Aradia :
There was once a young woman from the town of Volterrra who "travelled far and wide, teaching and preaching the religion of old times, the religion of Diana, the Queen of the Fairies and of the Moon, the Goddess of the poor and the oppressed...and the fame of her wisdom and beauty went forth over all the land, and people worshipped her, calling her La Bella Pellegrina (the beautiful Pilgrim)".
Aradia taught the old pre-Christian Religion of Nature worship, and magic. But above all she taught a Spirituality. Beyond this, she gave hope to peasants whose lives were made miserable in service to the Wealthy. She taught them personal power, and personal value, in an Age when the Church taught them shame and sin, and servitude. Aradia returned their pagan heritage to them, a heritage preserved in secret by courageous Priests and Priestesses of The Old Religion.
Today, we call her The Holy Strega...
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