WiccanWade said:
Hmmm... Okay, now, while I am far from a "fan" of the man, I don't buy into much of what he publushes.
No mystery is closed to an open mind. Since I am Raven Grimassi, perhaps I can help unravel the "Raven Grimassi Mystery" for you. First off, as I state in the Introduction to my book Italian Witchcraft, this book introduces a modern system that I created. It does, however, in addition present an overview of Italian Witchcraft (old and new).
WiccanWade said:
Although, frankly, what really burned my buns is how he seemed so agenda-driven to prove that Wicca is purely another form of Italian Witchcraft/Hereditary Witcchcraft (which I can tollerate, based on whree so much of Wicca origionally stemmed by the writings from the 19th.
Actually my books on Italian Witchcraft were written as a response to the domination of books on Celtic systems. My intent was simply to provide people of non-Celtic descent a place in the Craft community as well.
WiccanWade said:
but he went further to attempt to prove that all Witchcraft (that not connected to Wicca) and even the Celtic and Druid's beliefs and practices origionated with the Italians, alledging (without out-right saying so) that the Italians are the oldest race throughout the whole freaking continent and Bridgit's Isles!
I mean you no disrespect, but you seem to be going out of your way to arrive at such a conclusion. My books are foremost an attempt to demonstrate that Witchcraft is an ancient religion/practice, and to that end I use the oldest literary and historical works on Witchcraft that I can find. These simply happen to be Greek and Roman writings, which is why you see such an emphasis. If there were pre-Christian Celtic writings on Witchcraft, I would be using that too, but such writings do not exist.
Another intention in my writings is to present my theory that the core elements of the Mystery Schools of the Aegean/Mediterranean[font="] were carried into the lands that were conquered or occupied by the Romans. In the regions that were not held by the Romans, we do not find these core beliefs, but they do appear in every region once held by the Romans.
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WiccanWade said:
What sounded so unusual was that he claimed it was assed down orally. Well, if it was, then...why was it being written down (which he states), alledging that these Italian Witchjes were copying down the Keys of Solomon, which is not Italian, but Hebrew magick (last I knew). So, based on this, one could say, that his "hereditary craft" really isn't as he claimes, anyway, because what these "witches"mwere coipying wasn't even Italian!
The reference that you address appeared in a cited article by scholar Sally Scully (Journal of Social History, volume 28, 1995) and is not an allegation but simply a historical documentation. The addition of material added to Italian Witchcraft down through the centuries does not negate it, but serves to enhance it.
As to oral tradition, the Celtic Bards once passed on an oral tradition of myths and legends that were eventually written down. Should we now dismiss and criticize them because of this? In the Italian Craft many of us have written down what were once oral teachings in an attempt to better preserve them.
WiccanWade said:
believe in the Indo_European root theory, think that the Italians are the oldest European race, from whom everyone's Gods stemmed (the Gauls, the Gaels, the Celts, everyone, etc...), back from Neolithic or Paeolithic cultures, I believe Raven stated in his book.
Interesting, but I never made such a statement. I simply write about southern European influences that were absorbed by the indigenous people of northern Europe due to Roman occupation.
WiccanWade said:
After all, from all accounts, the Celts have their own culture and Gods long before they first had any contact with the Romans.
No argument here. And again, I'm talking mainly about modifications to pre-existing elements among northern European systems that I believe were strongly influenced by centuries of Roman occupation. I'm not trying to portray the Celts as sitting around without gods and religion while waiting for enlightenment from the Romans, which seems to be the way you have chosen to regard the intent of my writings.
WiccanWade said:
Oh, both Grimassi and this other Italian fellow both seemed to be using a lot of history to support their claims, and totally called the Indo-European root of the Gods and beliefs, of what-have-you "a myth which has not been proven to my satisfaction."
I do not recall ever making such a statement, and very much doubt its existence. But I would be happy to see you quote me chapter and verse if you can find such a statement made by me.
WiccanWade said:
"OH, OH, OH," he says, raising his hand!!! I just recently discovered that there's even more of a reason to doubt Grimassi's so-called "history" quite simply in his "Encyclopedia of Wicca and Witchcraft" where he calls Aleister Crowley a "satanist" and a hereditary Italian witch, both of which are blatant lies (as far as I'm concerned)! 
Actually, what I wrote was that "Crowley went on to form his own magickal tradition and became infamous as a black magician and satanist who identified himself with the number 666". The passage refers to his reputation and to what people said about him. As to my claiming that Crowley was a hereditary witch, that is simply untrue. What I wrote is "Crowley moved to Sicily where he established the Abbey of Thelema and became directly exposed to Italian Paganism and Witchcraft". Once again you seem to be going out of your way to view my material in as negative a filter as you can, which appears to be resulting in the continuation of your erroneous conclusions.
In the interests of fact, I'd be happy to directly answer any questions or concerns you have regarding my writings.
Best regards - Raven
