What are the origins of Stregheria?
Stregheria has its roots in ancient Etruscan religion, which itself was inherited from Neolithic religion. There are surprisingly few elements in Stregheria that can be said to be strictly Roman influences, and it should be noted that a Sicilian branch of Witchcraft also exists and is different in many ways from the Italian mainland traditions. Some modern systems of Stregheria contain various elements of Tuscan peasant religion mixed with material Medieval Christian heresy sects, particularly those involving Saint worship. Catholicism served as a veneer that was fitted over the Old Religion in order to survive during the period of violent persecution at the hands of the Inquisition and secular authorities. To many modern Italian Witches, most Catholic saints are simply ancient pagan gods dressed in Christian garb. The majority of systems within Stregheria have removed all vestiges of Catholic veneer and have returned to their full pagan heritage.
