Paganism an overview introduction - South African Pagan Council

TRANSACTIONS OF THE FOLK-LORE SOCIETY
Vol III March, 1897 No.1
NEAPOLITAN WITCHCRAFT by JB Andrews
SOUTHERN ITALY has been for many ages the favorite country for witches; they
come from all parts of the peninsula to the Grand Councils held under the walnut-tree
of Benevento, and even from more distant lands, for its fame is celebrated in
Mentonnese tradition. This tree is to have been destroyed by S. Barbato in 660,
during the reign of Duke Romualdo, in contending against superstition. Benevento
was formerly called Malevento, a name perhaps significant. The site of the tree is
now disputed, its very existence doubted; but witches still pretend to meet on the spot
where it grew. The Neapolitans have an occult religion and government in witchcraft,
and the Camorra; some apply to them to obtain what official organizations cannot or
will not do. As occasionally happens in similar cases, the Camorra fears and yields to
the witches, the temporal to the spiritual. There are also wizards, but as elsewhere
they are much rarer; according to the usual explanation they have more difficulty in
flying, being heavier.
It is said that the devil as a man prefers women; they for their part are amiable to him,
at times even seducing him. There are special departments of the art -there is that of
the earth and of the sea- having their special adepts. The first will only be treated of
now; any witch can, however, render service to sea-faring folk, in giving a good haul
of fish or averting a storm. Amongst witches by birth are women born on Christmas
Eve, or on the Feast of the Conversion of St Paul. Whoever invokes the devil on
Christmas Eve before a mirror may become a witch.
An instruction in the methods is by itself sufficient; it is frequently given by the
mother to her daughter, but not exclusively; any one may learn the art, even those
knowing only a single incantation can make use of it. When a new witch has
completed her education, the two women open a vein in their arms; having mixed the
blood, the older witch makes a cross with it under the left thigh of her pupil, who
says: “Croce, croce, sciagurata sono.” There is no visible sign by which to detect
them, they recognise one another by looking into their eyes; then the one who first
leaves salutes the other by striking her with her left hand on the left shoulder and
simply saying: “Me ne vo.” In payment for the power he gives, the devil receives her
soul with those of the others she procures for him; in witness of her fidelity she mocks
at religion, and will profane the Host by trampling on it. But she means to cheat him
and save her soul at the hour of death. She goes to mass, fills her room with pious
pictures, before which, however, she does not work her charms. In her death-agony
she sends for the priest, gives up to him all her apparatus to be burnt, then confesses
and receives absolution. Her companions try to save some of the most precious
objects from the flames. There are certain crimes for which there is no forgiveness,
such as having caused death or made a hunchback. Among the many devils the head
of all is called Satanasso.
Especially malicious is the Diavolo Zoppo (the lame devil), proud, violent, and
treacherous ; he occupies himself much with lovers. Others are Lucibello, Lurdino,
Lurdinino, Quisisizio, Turbionone, Scartellato, Baldassare. Their aid is invoked, they
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