Rating: 
Summary: The actual and thus uplifting truth
Review: Hereditary Witchcraft is a look at an older and authentic form of Witchcraft. This book contains information not found in any other book on witchcraft. It is perhaps the only book in print today that provides real clues as to the old ways of witchcraft.As an initiate of this tradition myself, I must correct the erroneous conclusions drawn by the reviewer who stated that Grimassi "admits he was not taught strega by his family and he wasn't raised in a strega famly." What Grimassi says on his website is that he does not directly mention his family in the Hereditary Witchcraft book, nor in THIS book does he make any claims as to being raised in a Strega family (and nowhere in the book, nor on his website, does he deny being a hereditary witch). Grimassi does NOT ever say on his website, nor in any published material, that he is not a hereditary witch nor that he never learned witchcraft from his relatives. On his website he is simply correcting book reviewers that incorrectly claim he makes statements specifically in his books 'Hereditary Witchcraft' and 'Italian Witchcraft' as to being raised in a family tradition, which he does not. Grimassi intentionally does not discuss his family in any of his published writings, as it is a private and personal matter. So, if you're interested in knowing something about an authentic form of hereditary witchcraft, then this is the book for you. It is written by one of the few authors both knowledgeable enough and willing to discuss the hereditary path.
Rating:
Summary: Most Excellent
Review: Hereditary Witchcraft is an interesting view of an older form of Witchcraft, and how it evolved through time. I enjoyed the author's theories on how the Old Religion survived in altered forms from ancient times. It was great to finally see things in a book on Witchcraft that I've not seen a hundred times before.
Naturally, family traditions will differ depending upon the culture and region in which they were formed. I was pleased to see that nowhere in his book does Grimassi claim that what he presents is the "One True" structure by which to measure all hereditary witches. What Grimassi presents instead is a tradition and type of hereditary, which he knows and has intimate knowledge of. He simply writes about what he knows, believes, and has personally experienced. Like anyone who has achieved success, Grimassi has his critics. It would be ignorant to compare one hereditary witch to another in terms of authenticity, but this never seems to deter certain types of people.
Rating: 
Summary: Interesting family history...
Review: In his book HEREDITARY WITCHCRAFT, Raven Grimassi reveals his family's secrets about the ancient religion inherited from Italian ancestors and known as "The Way of the Strega" or Italian witchcraft. Grimassi says his purpose in recording these family practices is to ensure they will not be lost to future generations. Grimassi connects his family religion to the ancient Celtic religion of Europe which existed before the advent of patriarchial relgions from the east (Judaism, Christianity, Moslem). The old religion (La Vecchia Religione) was pantheistic and contained numerous gods and goddesses -- many known to those who study what moderns call Roman and Greek myths. The most important of the Goddesses was Diana the Queen of the fairies or witches and her consort Lucifer the God of Light. Grimassi says the true characteristics of Diana and Lucifer were distorted by those who sought to make the old religion appear evil. Grimassi says his family religion is tied to the people known as the Etruscans, who once inhabited the land known as Tuscany. Many old relics from these times can be found in museums all over the world, and some artifacts have been handed on through families. Although Grimassi bases much of his book on the oral stories and practices passed on to him by family members, he also refers to numerous texts about witchcraft and the old religion written by by Leland, Groves, and Frazier, and others. A bibliography is included for additional reading.
Rating:
Summary: Interesting family history...
Review: In his book HEREDITARY WITCHCRAFT, Raven Grimassi reveals his family's secrets about the ancient religion inherited from Italian ancestors and known as "The Way of the Strega" or Italian witchcraft. Grimassi says his purpose in recording these family practices is to ensure they will not be lost to future generations. Grimassi connects his family religion to the ancient Celtic religion of Europe which existed before the advent of patriarchial relgions from the east (Judaism, Christianity, Moslem). The old religion (La Vecchia Religione) was pantheistic and contained numerous gods and goddesses -- many known to those who study what moderns call Roman and Greek myths. The most important of the Goddesses was Diana the Queen of the fairies or witches and her consort Lucifer the God of Light. Grimassi says the true characteristics of Diana and Lucifer were distorted by those who sought to make the old religion appear evil. Grimassi says his family religion is tied to the people known as the Etruscans, who once inhabited the land known as Tuscany. Many old relics from these times can be found in museums all over the world, and some artifacts have been handed on through families. Although Grimassi bases much of his book on the oral stories and practices passed on to him by family members, he also refers to numerous texts about witchcraft and the old religion written by by Leland, Groves, and Frazier, and others. A bibliography is included for additional reading.
Rating: 
Summary: Mistitled!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Review: It should have been called 'Hereditary ITALIAN Witchcraft, Secret of the Old ITALIAN Religion'. (...) So one star off for a misleading title, one star off for his bias and a third for small mistakes like the one on page 47 concerning Demeter. This goddess was an earth goddess as demonstrated by her ability to control the seasons and role as harvest mother, NOT an underworld deity. That honor was solely her daughter Persephone's. However, if you are interested in italian witchcraft this would probably be a great beginners book. The myths are beautiful and unique to anything else I've read and his re-interpretation of woodcuts from 'Compendium Maleficarum' are very interesting. If you are not interested in Italian Witchcraft, it is a waste of time and money. (...)
Rating:
Summary: Most Excellent
Review: One of my best friends is the real thing, and I can tell you, this ain't what they look like. I can quote historians, too, but that doesn't mean my work has historical merit... This book fails academically. If prepared as a thesis, it'd be indefensible.
Rating:
Summary: Stregheria
Review: Stregheria is making a big impact in society today and with Raven's down to earth writing style which is inventive and confident it not only informs you but enchants you as well. Filled with neat family history as well as Italian lore and legend, this is a must read for anyone entering the Craft or Someone who's had 20 years of experience. Light and candle and read along.
Rating:
Summary: An Amazing Book!
Review: Thank You Mr. Grimassi, for giving us a view of what it is like to grow up in the Old Ways. This book is amazing! In one book, we get a deeper persective of the historical and cultural background of Italian Witchcraft, solitary rituals for those of us who are out there alone, and the further tales of Aradia! There is more than one Italian Tradition out there..no one can claim a definitive version of stregheria. Mr. Grimassi makes that very clear in his introductions. Anyone who thinks this book represents *italian wicca*, obviously hasn't read it. And, who cares if his real name is Grimassi or not?
Rating:
Summary: No Mystery is closed to an Open Mind
Review: There has been much argument on whether ravens books are authentic strega or italian flavored wicca. Both claims are true as you will see as I explain it. What you are actually learning about in his books is a tradition he founded in 1981 that he calls the aridian tradition. It is a blend of some elements of the Triad traditions and Modern wicca. He even says this in his book italian witchcraft if you read the intro on page xvi,He admits that these are modern rites and not old world rites. He also admits he was not taught strega by his family and he wasnt raised in a strega famly. His mother did teach him some italian folklore and magick tho. But he learned strega from outside teachers. What he presents is an outer court version of an italian tradition. He admits he cant publish pure strega as hed be breaking oaths. Dont believe me check out his website he explains it all. If ya need the link email me and ill sent it.
Rating:
Summary: A Classic Text on the Old Religion
Review: This book is an excellent blend of lore, history, and mythology, fully supported by excerpts from ancient historians, witch trial transcripts, and the writings of several prominent folklorists. A reviewer has suggested that Grimassi made up the system he writes on, however the documentation of a well established 19th century tradition of Italian Witchcraft is quite evident in the research material contained within Grimassi's book. Italy, like most regions of Europe, has many diverse folk traditions and beliefs. For example, the traditions of Witchcraft on the island of Sicily historcially differ from the traditions on mainland Italy, as do many folk beliefs and practices. No one can reasonably lay claim to the One True path of Italian Witchcraft. Grimassi certainly does not, but simply writes on the tradition he knows best. Some reviewers have claimed that Grimassi's material is Gardnerian Wicca with Italian seasoning. However, anyone of reasonable intelligence (and not buried in their own agenda) will easily see the compelling counter evidence presented in Grimassi's book. Grimassi demonstrates that many of the so-called Gardnerian aspects of Wicca are found half a century earlier than the writings of Gardner. Grimassi draws on the 19th century writings of several key folklorists who wrote on Italian Witchcraft, fully documenting a pre-Gardnerian system of Witchcraft that resembles modern Wicca. Like any credible author, Grimassi has pointed out revisions to his earlier work, stating that he wished to reveal more information in a less watered-down version as time passed. I think the author is to be applauded for his openess and willingness to share, instead of hiding behind claims of unspoken secrets he knows of but cannot speak of. In Grimassi's book he focuses on Diana and Dianus as the deity forms for the ritual work contained in the text. First century BC writings, such as those of Horace, Lucan and Ovid, speak of Diana and Proserpina, often equating them as one and the same deity. The descent of the moon beneath the horizon was symbolic of the descent of the goddess into the Underworld, linking the goddesses together. Grimassi does an excellent job of gathering the ancient myths and legends into one cohesive system for modern practice. This is a great book and a must read for anyone seriously interested in the Old Religion. The appendices alone are worth buying the book!
| 
