- Carmenta is the goddess of Prophecy and Midwifery. She
also brought the art of writing to her land. She was
worshipped January 11 and 15. She would be consulted to
fortell the future of newborns.
Diana - Consort of Dianus. The Triad Goddess: Maiden, Mother, Crone. Diana encompasses many other Goddesses, and is the name also used for the Moon Goddess, Earth Goddess and Star Goddess.
- Originally she was the Queen of the Open Sky, and was worshipped only outdoors, where her domain stretched overhead. She is the Goddess of outcasts, outlaws, slaves and opressed peoples.
- With two other deities, she made up another trinity: Egeria, the water nymph, her servant and assistant midwife, and Virbius, the mysterious woodland god. The three lived together in the famous Wood of Nemi near Aricia.
- She is worshipped on August 15, which conveniently now is the feast of the Assumption of Mary. Processions of women would journey to Aricia to offer thanks in Diana's grove for her help that year and to implore her continuing aid.
- Diana is the Goddess of all Witches in Italy. Fauna / Fana - Consort of Fanus. Goddess of the Earth and of Fertility. Fana is also known as Bona Dea, or the "Good Goddess". She was worshiped only by women and in utter secrecy at rites in early December. Goddess of Abundance and Prosperity, the rites were rather bawdy - usually ending in an orgy. No men were ever allowed to the rites.
Fortuna - Goddess of Fortune, Fate and Luck. She controlled the destiny of every human being. The energy that drove men and women to reproduce themselves. "She Who Brings" - the goddess who permitted the fertilization of humans, animals and plants. She was involved by newly-married women, who dedicated their virgin garments to her.
Jana - Consort of Janus. Coddess of the Moon, and of the Mysteries of the Moon.
Nox - Goddess of the Night. Nox rules the Darkness which falls upon the Earth, and all within it. She is the sister of Umbria, and shares her associations (except fror the Underworld connection). Nox can be a bit on the sinister side if care is not taken.
Pertunda - Goddess of sexual love and sexual pleasure.
Tana - Consort of Tanus. The Star Goddess (Universal Aspect). Tana's Day is celebrated on May 1, the day upon which she returned to her Hidden Children after her time in the Underworld.
- Interestingly....Tara is the Hindu Star Goddess!
Umbria - Goddess of the Shadows. Umbria is the dark aspect of the Goddess (waning moon), and rules with Dis in the Underworld. Goddess of things which are hidden or secret.
Uni - The most ancient name for the Goddess of Witchcraft. Queen of the sky, she hurled thunderbolts when angered and, when pleased, granted safe passage to infants at birth. Her major sanctuary was at Pyrge, a port city of Caere, where She was endowed with silver and gold by her worshipers.
- Benefactor of Tuscan citites and of the women who lived there.
Sources - Raven Grimassi, "Ways of the Strega"; Patricia Monaghan, "The New Book of Goddesses and Heroines"; Bergen Evans, "Dictionary of Mythology"; "Raven Grimassi on Hereditary Italian Witchcraft" from Riders of the Crystal Wind Book of Shadows.
- Originally she was the Queen of the Open Sky, and was worshipped only outdoors, where her domain stretched overhead. She is the Goddess of outcasts, outlaws, slaves and opressed peoples.
Each tradition has its own names for their Gods and Goddesses. These names may be the same from tradition to tradition, while others are unique to that Path.
The Gods and Goddesses of the Streghe have their basis in the deities of the Etruscians, who occupied Italy in BC times. Their influence can still be felt today, and can be observed in not only the Italian tradition, but also in the beliefs of the Greeks, and even the Celts. What follows is a partial list of the deities and their most common names. In the Aridian Tradition, the original names of the deities are not revealed until the Second Degree Initiation. A more complete list of Gods and Goddesses can be found in Raven Grimassi's Ways of the Strega. It provides a list of many of the Tuscan Deities and their Roman counterparts.
Actaeon - Stag-horned God of the Forest
Anteros - God of Passion and Sexual Unions. Anteros represented mutual love and was sometimes is regarded as the avenger of slighted love.
Comus - God of revelry, feasting, drinking, and the "pleaseures of the night".
Corvus - Messenger of the Gods. Also the Trickster God, known as Raven.
Cern / Kern - Name for the stag-horned god of the Forest. Symbol of the Waxing power of Nature.
Dianus - Consort of Diana. Nature God of Fertility, similar to Fanus, except that He is a Stag God instead of a Goat God. Also known as Kern. Dianus is the most common name for the God.
Fanus - Consort of Fana. Nature God of Fertility - similiar to Pan. Worshiped at the Lupercalia.Februus - God of Purification and Initiation
Tagni - The most ancient name for the God of Witchcraft
Tanus - Consort of Tana. The Star God. Universal Aspect. The Great God, who is all Gods.
Terminus - God of Boundaries, protector of personal property
Virbius - God of Outcasts and outlaws. Guardian of santuaries.
Astrea - Goddess of Justice and Purity.
Carmen / Carmina - Goddess of casting spells and of Enchantments. Possibly
related to Carmenta, who was one of the Camenae. These
goddesses dwelt in the frewater springs and rivers. Their
name means "foretellers" for they were
prophetic forces.
