Starweaver's Online Book Of Shadows: Aridian Le Vecchia Tools & Paraphenalia

TOOLS & PARAPHERNALIA OF LA VECCHIA

The oldest tool of Italian Witchcraft is the Moon Bowl. This is a large shell, used in conjunction with nine small shells, as a tool of Invocation. I have spoken of this on other notes. The next tool to be used was the Wand, which we associate with the element of air. This is because the branches of a tree stretch up into the sky, and birds nest in them. The next tool after this was the pentacle. It was originally an oval rock, thin and smooth, usually obtained from the coastline where it had been reformed by the Ocean waves. Later this was made of clay, and marked with a five pointed, upright, star. This tool repres- ents earth, since it was taken from the soil. Following this was the ritual dagger, which we call the Spirit Blade. This dagger is as- sociated with the element of fire, from which it's metal was forged. Last in the line of the older tools, was the Chalice, which was originally a gourd. This tool represents the element of water.

From the time of the Middle Ages came the more modern of the tools, which are the Spirit Bowl, and the Sword. The spirit bowl actually evolved out of the Moon Bowl, and is used more frequently than it's predeces- sor. It contains a liquid which burns a blue flame, and is used to represent the presence of Deity within the Ritual Circle. The Sword is a tool of the Guardian, but is sometimes used by the High Priest.

The proper ritual circle of the Aridian Tradition measures nine paces in all directions, from the center of circle. Directly on the center point, the altar is placed, and arranged in orientation to the North. We use a black altar cloth, and we wear black hooded robes. Black is used for two reasons. On a Metaphysical level, black absorbs light and therefore we draw light into ourselves, and retain it. The second reason is that it is easier to hide at night when you are all in black. During the time of the Inquisition, at the first sign of danger, witches would extinguish all lights, pull up their hoods, draw their hands into the large sleeves of their robes, and seemingly "vanish" right before the eyes of the Christian spies.

The Broomstick is rarely used in the Aridian Tradition, but does appear at the "Handfasting" Ceremony, and certain rites of purifica- tion. It can also serve as a symbol of the goddess, when turned upside down. This is done when there are too few women to take up all of the ritual actors needed for the Ceremony. The Skull & Cross bones are another ancient tool, rarely used now, but once symbolized the God, in the same manner as the Broom was employed for the Goddess. These things remain written in the ritual material in order to preserve our Heritage (nothing is forgotten, nothing is ever forgotten).

When you go back far enough into our History, as a Race, you will find Human Sacrifice. This was replaced by Animal Sacrifice, which itself was later replaced by Plant Sacrifice. However you wish to view that, it is simply the story of the Human Race. Remnants of the Plant Sacrifice can still be found in such things as the eating of Cakes, and drinking of Wine, at the close of Ritual. The Slain God is still consumed as this sacred meal to this very day. This is not unlike the Christian tradition of the Communion Wafer.

The written material of La Vecchia is recorded in a Book, which we call, THE BOOK OF WAYS. It is divided into three sections: Ways, Calls, and Magic. "Ways" contains all of the ritual instructions, laws, and Community Rites such as the Blessings of a Child, Marriage Rite, Ceremony for the Dead, Rites of Initiation, and so on. "Ways" also contains a record of our People, and the teachings concerning our practices, as well as material concerning the Goddess and the God.

"Calls" contains all of the chants, invocations, hand gestures, ritual postures, face painting designs of the Clan, and other "secret signs". "Magic" contains all of the spells, works for Magic, herbal lore, magical correspondences, healing knowledge, potions, recipes for oil and incense, and so forth.

Each initiate is required to copy from the Book of Ways, those portions which pertain to her or his degree of Initiation. This is overseen by the Initiator, because the Book of Ways is divided up into separate Degree Knowledge. In the First Degree, a member will begin to acquire their ritual set of tools. The only things which they receive at their initiation are a colored length of cord, symbolizing their degree, a symbol representing their degree, and the mark of the Clan which is painted upon their body.

Each degree has a different colored cord, which is linked to the Mythos of the Clan. The cord itself, in part, is a remnant of the bonds which once held the Sacrificial King, of the Slain God Mythos. Each degree also has a hand gesture of identification. There is also a hand gesture which identifies you as a witch. These come from the time of the Inquisition.

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