The Wolf, the Witch and the Wild
What is wildness? Wildness is the untamed and untamable. Wildness is not domesticated. Wildness is our true nature.
Wildness is what makes life possible. Some call it adaptation, random chance, chaos. But it is wildness. Random evolution and chaos are at the root of life systems, because from this wildness/chaos, potentialities are created that allow species to adapt to change. DNA has wildness in it that cannot be controlled even by genetic manipulation and that is how, in the context of unexpected changes in its environment, it thrives and life continues.
Wildness in a human is often thought to be a person who lives outside of cultural norms and customs. To me a wild human is anyone who is owned and defined by themself, in touch with their inner “daemon,” indwelling spirit or genius, as Mary Daly calls it.
The Cimaruta
The Cimaruta is an ancient symbol and charm that represents the Streghe/Janarre (Italian medicine) lineage and is also seen to be a potent tool against the evil eye.
The symbol is a stylized sprig of the rue plant (ruta) with various charms hanging off of it, all representative of the craft in varying ways. On the Strega Tree Apothecary’s cimaruta logo hangs the moon, a key, the snake and a flower. We chose these for our logo as they represent the powers that we work with.
Theresa and Annie are a direct descendants of a Strega lineage through their great and great-great-grandmother on their father/grandfather’s Italian side This ancestress is a powerful ally in our work. All Strega Tree diviners are initiated into this lineage since they are initiated through Theresa, Annie or one of her mentees. Janarra is the deeper layer of this lineage.
Full Moon Release and Renew Ritual
This ritual will walk you through a release of what is no longer serving you. This ritual is designed to help you shed excess that you have been carrying around. You will need:
A bowl of water –glass bowls are preferred but not mandatory
A small crystal that you do not mind giving away
Some flower petals
Brigid’s Cave
In a stick divination I was told that my ancestors knew how to record and retrieve stories from the stones, using the help of Grandmother Moon. My ancestors also worked very intimately with Brigid. Now it was time for me to learn as well.
In this same divination I was told by the wedeme (elemental beings of the wild) that Brigid had a story to share with me. Retrieving and sharing the story would not only help the Goddess, but it would also help my four-year-old son. She wanted me to record and share this story with him.