The Tradition as it is known today, began in the mid-14th Century with the teaching that traditional powers would belong to any who adhered to the way of the Old Religion, a much earlier system of beliefs, dating back to the pre-Etruscans.

It teaches the secrets of the Earth, Moon, and Stars. With the beginnings of the persecution of Witches, the secrets were separated, with each one being entrusted to one of three sects. Each Tradition enhanced its Gifts and teachings with their own individual Mystery teachings.

A fourth group was formed and kept within it the combined knowledge of the three Traditions as well as the core beliefs and essential tenets of the Streghe; this assembly became know as the Correllia.  They were, and still are the philosophers of the Streghe.

 

The Path of the Streghe is not one that someone merely learns; it is one that must be followed and adhered to. We may not speak of anything we learn to anyone who does not walk the same Path; even if we believe that we are helping them. We do not seek power through the suffering of others, nor accept that personal benefit can be derived or be denial to another.

Those who walk the path of Witchcraft, walk it for a lifetime. We have been given a physical body; we may like it or hate it, but it will be ours for the entire period this lifetime. We are enrolled in a full-time, informal school called 'life'. Every day in this school, we will have the opportunity to learn lessons. We may like the lessons or think them irrelevant and stupid.

There are no mistakes, only lessons. Growth is a process of trial and error. Learning lessons does not end. There is no part of life that does not contain lessons. We are always learning: if you think you 'know' it all, think again. Things that you may have learned before may have to be unlearned to follow the true Old Ways. We have all the tools and resources we need; what we do with them is up to us.

 
A follower of Stregheria lives by a code of ethics, which is built upon the Laws of Nature. Our behaviour is not dictated by a fear of what awaits us in the Afterlife, but a respect for what awaits us in this Life. Everything, and everyone, is connected. What we do to one another, and to our World, we do to ourselves.

It is one of our Laws, within the Tradition, that nothing may ever be deleted from any ritual or oral teaching. Material may be added to a ritual, or an oral teaching may be expanded, but nothing of the original may ever be removed. Because situations change with time, the Laws do allow us to add and adapt, as needs be. It is a challenge to preserve the old Traditions, and yet to adapt to modern circumstances, without compromising the integrity of either.

It is important to realise, know, and understand that magic is natural; there is nothing supernatural about it. We use such things as a wand of wood, a seashell, a pentacle made of a flat rock, herbs, amulets, omens and chants. The power comes from within; it is not in the tools. Our ancestors knew how to use it effectively, but it is a largely forgotten art in modern times.

 
© Nathan Ludd 2008- All Rights Reserved