In the Footsteps of Aradia

She was born in the year 1313 . . . or so they say.

Aradia, reputed to be the daughter of Goddess Diana and namesake of the origin text Aradia: Gospel of the Witches by C.G. Leland, will be the focus of the upcoming Fall Equinox ritual at Ffynnon land in Oregon, to which I've never been but hope to go this year. Her feastday, and reputed birthday, is August 13th, the day of the gathering discussed here.

Who was Aradia? The name is powerful, ancient, evocative. I chose it for one of my character's names, and High Priestess Phyllis Curott chose it for her Witch name. I knew a little but not much, so I went to a lecture presentation last night at The Hollow. This, as it turns out, is a private home, and yet another of the many nests of witches, warlocks and mages in the Portland area. There were pieces of art all over the walls featuring Greek dieties and classical painted scenes. A bookshelf, loaded with guides to Greek, Latin, Italian and more, plus books in those languages, and fat tomes and notebooks filled with esoterica. What a place! Also attending was Martha, the dear woman I met at We'Moon Lammas, who told me this was the very house where the Hermetics group she told me about had been meeting for thirty years! So, despite taking a big chunk out of my day due to transportation time, it was a fortuitous journey for me.

We sat in the basement on chairs and cushions; a spread of refreshments, appropriately Mediterranean, were provided, including slices of tomato with basil, soft purple figs, homely bread with olive oil and balsamic vinegar, grapes, berries and wine. The presenter was Katrina, who at thirty began exploring the myths of Aradia, and even began channeling strange Italian words via automatic writing. She received a message from the Goddess to travel to Italy. She did so, seeking --- despite language barriers and obstacles --- to find the Temple of Diana, the so-called House of the Wind, and other landmark places mentioned in the "Witches' Gospel", a book that helped begin the entire modern witches' and pagans' movement. (It seems to persist in its most direct form in Dianic Wicca).

I'm afraid I ended up learning more about Katrina and her trip than Aradia herself, but she did mention a number of books that had helped her in her quest --- and like Hermione, I'm all about the research, and also took copious (compared to everyone else!) notes. Also, the lecture was informative because I want to travel, and illuminated a few of the challenges I might encounter, from maps and car trouble to language issues . . . as well as some of the benefits.

Among the items Katrina passed around, in her treasured possession after 15-odd years, was this little phial of Rose oil, which she'd bought at a small herb shop run by an Italian man, a brief stop of curiosity and convenience during her travels. It still smelled incredible, sweet as fresh-picked roses yet stronger. I thought: This is one reason I want to travel --- to have potion adventures the world over! And to meet people who love making them, do it well, or better yet, both. Since I'm also an ingredient sniffer, that is yet another reason to go touring. But getting to stand where witches may have worshipped a thousand years ago is enough of a reason to put a place on my bucket list!