Stregheria, Goddess Diana, Aradia, and Evolutionary Struggle

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The one concept that I see that is sorely missing from Wicca and other similar religions or spiritual traditions is "evolutionary struggle"; that condition that very few of us are able to avoid in life to any comfortable degree. The struggle doesn't have to be something as overt as, for example, the film 'The Grey'. It could be fighting traffic to get to work, getting beat out've a job to someone for a bad reason (younger/better figure, the bosses friend, a major client's niece, etc.), betrayal, a false rumor, a health issue, someone unexpectedly interfering with your life, a bad neighbor, danger, a bad living condition, more month at the end of the money, the list could go on and on. It has been said that there are two types of people in the world, the predators and the prey. Certainly this would be true of animals and ocean creatures. I think for people, that statement is at least mostly true.

The below text are the words of the Goddess Diana, to her daughter Aradia, sometime prior to sending her to the earth to live as a mortal with a mission to fulfill. This text was translated by Raven Grimassi in 'The Book of the Holy Stega' (1981), from Charles G. Leland's 'Aradia: Gospel of the Witches' (1899). Clearly this would be in regard to the Catholic Church of the 14th century, and it's quite aggressive; some could obviously argue that's it's based on self-defense due to the Church's past actions and present conditions. Regardless of all of that, we all have enemies; there's no escaping it. Only the softest head-in-the-clouds suburbanite could possibly believe that they have no enemies. "Evolutionary" could be used in reference to many different considerations; however, probably chiefly the "evolution of the individual." We all "evolve"; for example, we may cringe a bit when pondering of some long-ago action or words that we offered.

The opposames called Capitalists and Socialists frequently brag about "progress" while engaging in their system-approved passive-aggression. "Progress" could be anything that anyone wants it to be. When Capitalists seek to obliterate a beautiful natural area or massively wipe out the view of mountains or a body of water for profit--forever--they would call it "progress." For that reason, I would argue that an individual or small collective keep their translation of the below text to themselves. Personally, I think it could regard numerous different things; along with a couple of personal items. It doesn't matter that much because evolutionary struggle (individual or a larger collective) is applicable to all. However, since this is a folk-based religion/spiritual tradition, it belongs to it's devoted adherents.

 

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"It is true that you are a spirit,
But you were created to become again a mortal;
You must go on earth
And become a Teacher,
To be a teacher to women and men
Who will receive your schooling
In the ways of witchcraft."

"You must not be like the ones of darkness,
And to the race that became
Wicked, infamous, because of their seed,
You shall not go among them."

"You shall be the first witch;
The first goddess to become a witch on earth.
You shall teach the secret knowledge of plants
To harm and to heal,
And you shall teach the ways of power
To bind and to slay the spirit of the oppressor."

"And where there is found to be a greedy peasant
That has come to wealth in this way,
Then you shall teach your witches, your pupils, how
To ruin all his harvest
With tempest, lightning and with thunder,
With hail and wind."

"And when a priest shall do you spiritual injury
By his benedictions, ye shall do to him
Double the harm, and do it in the name
of me, Diana, Queen of witches all!"

"And when the nobles or priests tell you
that you must believe in the Father, Son, and Mary,
answer them that serve only devils,
and say the true God is not your God,
and tell them to instead Diana,
The Queen of all witches!"

"You shall go on earth to teach this,
And to destroy the evil of these people.
Your poor people will suffer hunger
And work wretchedly,
And also suffer prison."

"But these are of one soul,
One good and true soul
And in the Otherworld they
Shall be happy
But their tormentors on earth shall discover
That an ill Fate awaits them in the Otherworld.

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Aradia: Gospel of the Witches

Aradia: Gospel of the Witches

The Sea Priestess

A brief video about the text known as "Aradia" or "The Gospel of the Witches" by Charles Godfrey Leland. Music: Elegia Luna (Igor Dvorkin, Duncan Pittock)

http://www.facebook.com/OathBoundSecrets

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Remembering Evelyn Paglini: Part VI

AB - Twelve Pack #6 - Evelyn Paglini Binge
 
Ghostly Matters

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10 hours and 45 minutes of Evelyn Paglini on the old Art Bell Show. I listened to the whole binge on my iPod.  You can use ListenToYouTube.com to save any YT video on an mp3 file. I've been doing that with a lot of them lately since much of YT is audio programs and podcasts now. I didn't take notes, but the late Dr. Paglini had a tremendous about of knowledge and wisdom beyond just magick. She referred to herself as a "Metaphysician," and was indeed a Tuscan Strega by tradition. 

Her website MysticalBlend.com is still up and running, and one of her old Art Bell programs and five of her newer Coast To Coast AM/George Noory programs are on their new YT page. That's at least twenty hours of listening right here. If anyone has any history, experience, or story about Evelyn, you may send it to camunlynx@live.com and it can be placed in this series, if it's long enough it may be posted as a separate posting. I know she has a much longer history than being a frequent guest on that popular radio program. I believe that she was a native of Illinois, but had long been based out of Sherman Oaks, California.

I had put up her bio from Mystical Blend, and I believe that they have updated it. There was one interesting part that I think is new: Dr. Paglini was the last in a thousand-year lineage of Strega Toscani occult practitioners. Those who are able to benefit from her power and guidance during this lifetime are indeed gifted, since hers is a destiny that can be acquired only by a chosen few.

"Every morning is an opportunity, so take it." -- Dr. Evelyn Paglini

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Medea: The witch-goddess of the edge of the world

In pre-Olympian Greek mythology, Medea is the daughter of Hecate, and held a fearsome reputation. Although Hecate is the regional (ancient Greece/Asia Minor) term for the proto-European "Almother," Medea is distinctly Greek; as Aradia, daughter of the regional "Almother" Diana, is distinctly Tuscan/Italian. This older Greek mythology was occasionally conflated with the later Olympian pantheon as in 'Jason and the Argonauts'. In the following excerpt from the book 'Witchcraft Out of the Shadows' (Ruickbie; 2004), I saw a powerful parallel with the image of the Teutonic Goddess Freya riding a chariot carried by two large cats:

A chariot drawn by winged serpents conveyed her across the night sky, leaving broomsticks to more humble witches. At midnight, with her hair flying and dancing barefoot under the stars, she howled her threefold incantations. She invoked the forces of darkness - the very night itself and infernal Hecate - and the forces of nature - the gods of the forest, of the earth, wind and water...

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9-12-15 ADDITION: The 1963 film 'Jason and the Argonauts' featured the mythological Hecatean priestess Media prominently, played by Nancy Kovack. This was a rare portrayal of what really had been a regional outgrowth of "European witchcraft," or at least an attempt to show even a marginal speck of respect for it. Again, this mythology was a conflation of the "old religion" with the Olympian tradition; in this case, in the form of the hero Jason. 

This mythology, as well as the ample history of the Old Religion in Greece, is covered in the book 'Witchcraft Out of the Shadows'. European witchcraft had truly been "European," having been present in every corner of the continent at one time. Having originated from the Jason-Media myth and its portrayal in ancient Greek tragedies and literature; there have been many plays, operas, ballets, works of art, films, etc. based on the mythology.
 
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Remembering Evelyn Paglini - Part II

Here are a few more Evelyn Paglini audio programs. There doesn't seem to be anything that would truly leave a lasting "legacy" for her work...except maybe for her broadcasts. However, this is the way that the tradition has continued over time.. in a generational way. Eventually... someone will step up.








It appears that the http://www.mysticalblend.com/ website will be shutting down after all the merchandise is sold off. Dr. Paglini is a native of the state of Illinois, but was based for many years in southern California, Sherman Oaks. She was of Tuscan descent. People have been, just in the last couple of weeks, putting up some of the old broadcasts. Also, there are her study materials. Perhaps someone responsible could develop some books based on these materials, including a little more of a bio of her and her roots in the tradition?







4-26-14 ADDITION:

I wanted to add one small item here. Evelyn Pagllini referred to herself numerous times as a "spiritual warrior," which I think is significant. Theoretically, this would work within the concept of "evolutionary struggle," due to the fact that the metaphysical world interacts with the physical world. The two cannot be separated.

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Remembering Evelyn Paglini

From thedemoniacal.blogspot.com:

Dr. Evelyn Paglini Has Passed Away

 

Dr. Evelyn Paglini has passed away. Paglini was a practicing witch and semi-celebrity, having appeared on Coast to Coast AM with both Art Bell and George Noory from the 1990s up to 2013. Paglini's appearances on Coast to Coast AM remained popular for her psychic predictions and the free spells she gave out to listeners. Paglini also owned her own occult store, Mystical Blend. On Saturday, March 29, 2014, Paglini passed away from heart failure. The current inventory at her store will be sold and then the store will close.

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The above program from the Art Bell show in 2001 is very interesting. I have my own way of processing information and credibility, and from little I know about Evelyn Paglini, she had truly great knowledge as far as the metaphysical world and how the universe works within that framework. It's not just because she was a Stregha; as I can think of at least one well-known Stregha that I don't think much of. There are some silly, knit-picky, take-themselves-way-too-seriously, criticisms of Dr. Paglini out there... some of which I'm positive have no basis.

As far as I can see, she was nothing short of a master of the secrets of the universe... the fifth point of the vehmic star. I know of no books which she has authored, which seems unusual to me. She did have teaching materials and classes. I recall listening to her on Coast to Coast AM over the years, but that was before I accepted the folk-pagan view of the world... so she was just another interesting guest to me. I'm sorry she's moved on. It always seems like there's so much more work that needs to be done.

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Bio from her website:

Dr. Evelyn Paglini

For over 40 years, Dr. Evelyn Paglini has been one of America's leading authorities on the occult and the supernatural. Born into a centuries old family of occult practitioners, her training in natural magic began at the age of four when her grandfather formally recognized her as his successor to power and began a precise regimen of discipline and instruction to pass on to her the techniques and practices necessary for her to become empowered as a master occult practitioner, teacher and spiritual warrior.

As a powerful occultist and an expert in utilizing nature and the elements to manipulate energies, Dr. Paglini has been called upon to help literally thousands of clients solve problems and achieve their desired goals. She works on the cutting edge of magic with compassion, wisdom and power. She has helped celebrities, stockbrokers, corporate executives and housewives alike advising them, inspiring and teaching them how to remove obstacles, solve problem, and fully realize their dreams and destinies.

As a gifted psychic, Dr. Paglini has collaborated with law enforcement to locate missing persons and to solve murder cases involving occult and supernatural undertones. Her landmark cases are well documented in the country's leading news media including the New York Post, the Chicago Tribune and National Enquirer. She has been interviewed on ABC, CBS, and NBC and has made guest appearance on dozens of television and radio shows, including the George Noory Show, where for over 12years she has been among Art Bell's & George Noory most popular guests.

Today, Dr. Paglini tirelessly focuses on fulfilling her second path - that of the teacher - as she continues to teach the very specific techniques of mental power and the ritual of Natural Magic to those who seek her out through private consultation or through her seminars, symposiums workshops and intensive audio courses.

Dr. Paglini is the last in a thousand-year lineage of Strega Toscani occult practitioners. Those who are able to benefit from her power and guidance during this lifetime are indeed gifted, since hers is a destiny that can be acquired only by a chosen few.


AFFILITATIONS, FOUNDATIONS AND ORGANIZATIONS INCLUDE:

Spiritual Advisory Council
International Psychic Center
Chicago Institute of Hypnosis
Illinois Society for Psychical Research
F.R.N.M - Foundation for the Research of the Nature of Man
Mind Dynamics Institute, Leadership Dynamics
Silva Mind Control
E.S.P. Enterprises
John Scudder Foundation


MEDIA CREDITS INCLUDE:

Coast to Coast Radio - Art Bell
ABC, CBS, NBC local shows
Weekend Edition - Chicago
Dreamland - Ramona Bell
WFYR - Larry King
WWMM - Psychic World of Dr. Evelyn Paglini
Fate Magazine
Strange Universe
New York Post
Chicago Daily News
Chicago Sun Times
National Enquirer Weekly World News

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I no longer say "RIP" anymore, because we continue on in our spirit journey. The following better expresses the sentiment I think...

"birth.... life.... death and to a new arising.............. she is now the morning and the spring"

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4-8-14 Addition:

I just wanted to add the CoastToCoastAM.com bulletin regarding her passing, since that program--which is listened to by tens of millions of people--was where she reached and entertained so many people with her wisdom, knowledge, and psychic ability over the years...

Evelyn Paglini RIP

March 31, 2014

Dr. Evelyn Paglini, beloved long-time Coast to Coast AM guest, has passed away. She was well respected as one of the leading authorities on the occult and the supernatural in the United States. She died of heart failure on Saturday 3/29/14 in Los Angeles. Arrangements will be limited to immediate family. We will be paying tribute to the late Dr. Paglini this Friday night on the radio show, as well as with these two free audio clips: Earth Changes/ Spells & Curses.

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'Moonlight' by Labyrinth

Labyrinth is a power metal band from Massa, northern Tuscany (the province just north of Lucca). They've been around since 1991. Evidently, this type of music is still going strong in Europe, but mysteriously died out in the U.S. twenty years ago.

A labyrinth is a maze-like structure from Greek mythology; as well as an ancient symbol. However, it is tied to a number of ancient cultures, such as Greek, Roman, Celtic, Egyptian, and Native American. It is also deeply tied to the ancient Val Camonica. Also, the moon was a big part of ancient Camunian spirituality. I know, the moon was a large part of many cultures; but it was everything to the ancient Camunni, as I will show in upcoming posts.

The Romans called the valley "Camunorum," which loosely translates to "home of the Camunni"...as they called the inhabitants (Camun=Camunian; orum=place; thus "place of the Camunians"; also, ca=home; mun=moon; munni=moon people, thus "home of the moon people"). However in the modern Camunian dialect of Lombard, it's called "Al Camonega," which loosely translates to "valley of the home of the dawning moon" (al=valley; ca=home; mon=moon; nega=dawning/setting... not the color black). I'll get into that in future posts. Anyway, this song is at least symbolically tied to our ancient ancestry.


'Moonlight' (Labyrinth)

Faced to the ivory gates of dreamsland
I look my steps being lost in the sand
Is this the place where they created your soul
Where all your tears have been shed for so long?

Moon don't tell me lies
don't let me roam forever
Moonlight take the sky
Show me the way to heaven ...

Moonlight shining in the sky
nothing more can stop my flight
Take my hand again, fly with me
thousand million miles away

Leaving the town of the ancient dreams
new reasons come to live for ...

Now that we are leaving out of maze
I can imagine all the masters' rage
Meaning is that love is stronger than hate
Meaning is that will is stronger than fate

Moon don't tell me lies
don't let me roam forever
Moonlight take the sky
Show me the way to heaven ...

Moonlight shining in the sky
nothing more can stop my flight
Take my hand again, fly with me
thousand million miles away

Moonlight shining in the sky
nothing more can stop my flight
Take my hand again, fly with me
thousand million miles away

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Grisly 800 year old remains of a young pagan woman discovered

A grisly end: 800-year-old remains of witch discovered in Italian graveyard… with seven nails driven through her jaw

By Nick Pisa - Daily Mail (UK) - September 25, 2011

These are the 800 year old remains of what archaeologists believe was a witch from the Middle Ages after seven nails were found driven through her jaw bone.

The grim discovery was made during a dig on what is thought to be a 'witches graveyard' after another woman's skeleton was found surrounded by 17 dice - a game which women were forbidden from playing 800 years ago.

Experts say they believe the women are aged around 25 - 30 years old and were found buried in a simple shallow grave in the ground with no coffin or shroud.

The macabre remains were found during a dig close to the sea at Piombino near Lucca in Italy's Tuscany region and the woman had seven nails through her jaw as well as another 13 nails surrounding her skeleton.

Archaeologist Alfonso Forgione, from L'Aquila University, who is leading the dig, is convinced that the women were suspected witches because of the circumstances in which they were buried.

He said: 'It's a very unusual discovery and at the same time fascinating. I have never seen anything like this before. I'm convinced because of the nails found in the jaw and around the skeleton the woman was a witch.

'She was buried in bare earth, not in a coffin and she had no shroud around her either, intriguingly other nails were hammered around her to pin down her clothes.

'This indicates to me that it was an attempt to make sure the woman even though she was dead did not rise from the dead and unnerve the locals who were no doubt convinced she was a witch with evil powers.

'The second skeleton we have found was buried in a similar fashion but this time we found 17 dice around her - 17 is an unlucky number in Italy and also dice was a game that women were forbidden to play.

'The way the bodies were buried would seem to indicate some form of exorcist ritual and the remains will be examined to see if we can establish a cause of death for them.'

One puzzle that the archaeologists have been unable to explain is why the women if they were evil witches were buried in consecrated ground as the area is the site of an 800 year old church.

He said: 'The only possible explanation is that perhaps both women came from influential families and were not peasant class and so because of their class and connections were able to secure burial in consecrated Christian ground.'

The team is trying to find the burial place of the St Cerbonius, a bishop who died more than 1,500 years ago and who is the local patron saint of the area.
Pictures traditionally show him having his feet licked by a bear after legend has it the animal refused to eat him after he was condemned to death for sheltering Roman soldiers by the Barbarians who had invaded Tuscany.

Two years ago a Medieval woman's skull was found near Venice with a stone driven through its mouth - which experts said was the traditional way of dealing with vampires and preventing them from rising from the dead.

It comes a day after the skeleton of a Maya Queen - with her head mysteriously placed between two bowls - was found among treasures in a 2,000-year-old rodent-infested tomb.

Priceless jade gorgets, beads, and ceremonial knives were also discovered in the cavern - which was found underneath a younger 1,300-year-old tomb which also contained a body - in the Guatemalan ruins of Nakum.

The two royal burials are the first to be discovered at the site, which was once a densely packed Maya centre.

[See article link above for images]

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The "Real Austria"

Today, the word "Austria" is used in the English-speaking world to more easily refer to the German-speaking country of Österreich. In fact, this term was first used, in the former nation of Langbard, as the name of the eastern sector of the nation.

From 'History of the Lombards', page 245, footnote 1 in regards to an Austria reference (Edward Peters): "This name was used to designate the eastern part of the Langobard kingdom, and was often mentioned in the laws of king Liutprand (Waitz). Its western boundary was the Adda, and the land west of that stream was called Neustria, which, with the third division, Tuscia, constituted the main kingdom immediately subject to the king, as distinguished from the duchies of Spoleto and Benevento."

All this is further confused as Österreich had it's heel firmly planted on "Austria" (Lombardy, Trentino, and the Veneto) many centuries later. The above flag is either the flag of the "Langobard Austria" or a flag of the Österreich occupation. It's likely the original, since the official flag for the occupied "Lombardo-Venetia" puppet state was a tan flag with an arms of both Lombardy and the Veneto on it. The double-headed eagle was used by many European cultures over the centuries.

[Above: The three states in Langbard proper. Neustria, Austria, and Tuscia. Yes, Tuscany was part of Langbard.]