In this fascinating journey through the magical, folkloric, and healing traditions of Italy the reader learns uniquely Italian methods of magical protection and divination and spells for love, sex, control, and revenge. "Mary-Grace Fahrun's Italian Folk Magic is an intimate journey into the heart of Italian folk magical practices as they are lived every day. Having grown up in an extended Italian family in North America and Italy, the author presents us with the stories, characters, saints, charms, and prayers that form the core of folk religion, setting them in context in an authentic, down-to-earth, and humorous voice. A delight to read!"—Sabina Magliocco, Professor of Anthropology, University of British Columbia Italian Folk Magiccontains: magical and religious rituals prayers divination techniques crafting blessing rituals witchcraft The author also explores the evil eye, known as malocchio in Italian, explaining what it is, where it comes from, and, crucially, how to get rid of it. This book can help Italians regain their magical heritage, but Italian folk magic is a beautiful, powerful, and effective magical tradition that is accessible to anyone who wants to learn it.
Ancient magical practices to integrate into everyday life. Drawing on her Italian strega (witch) heritage, Rose Inserra's guide to the folk magic of this ancient culture is a treasure trove of Italian folklore, customs, magic and healing practices that will simplify your life and declutter your mind and heart. These practices fulfill the most basic needs of life: warmth, nourishment and connection to the magical and the spiritual. Discover unique Italian witchcraft such as spells, charms and curse removal and learn how to make divination tools, protective amulets and invocations. You'll also find kitchen and herbal witchery with natural remedies to create, spells for love and potions, and recipes for food, wine and even beauty. Delve into Italian spiritual practices and learn about dreams, divination and working with your ancestors, saints and angels, deities, fairies and nature spirits. Brimming with history, culture, remedies, folklore, recipes and – most of all – magic, this book is for anyone fascinated by ancient magical practices with deep connections to nature and the environment – or who wants to discover their Italian heritage.
Italian Folk Music for Mandolin is an enjoyable collection of pieces from various parts of northern, central and southern Italy. This anthology includes complete texts and translations of the songs with accurate accompanying arrangements for two mandolins, or violin and guitar. The selections include medieval and Renaissance instrumental folk dances, sixteenth-century Neapolitan Villanelle, work songs, lullabies, narrative ballads, prisoner songs, and popular dances including tarantellas, pizzica, Sardinian ballo tondo, quadrille, waltz and saltarello. The book includes an accompanying online audio of all the pieces presented
Sunday dinners, basement kitchens, and backyard gardens are everyday cultural entities long associated with Italian Americans, yet the general perception of them remains superficial and stereotypical at best. For many people, these scenarios trigger ingrained assumptions about individuals' beliefs, politics, aesthetics, values, and behaviors that leave little room for nuance and elaboration. This collection of essays explores local knowledge and aesthetic practices, often marked as "folklore," as sources for creativity and meaning in Italian-American lives. As the contributors demonstrate, folklore provides contemporary scholars with occasions for observing and interpreting behaviors and objects as part of lived experiences. Its study provides new ways of understanding how individuals and groups reproduce and contest identities and ideologies through expressive means. Italian Folk offers an opportunity to reexamine and rethink what we know about Italian Americans. The contributors to this unique book discuss historic and contemporary cultural expressions and religious practices from various parts of the United States and Canada to examine how they operate at local, national, and transnational levels. The essays attest to people's ability and willingness to create and reproduce certain cultural modes that connect them to social entities such as the family, the neighborhood, and the amorphous and fleeting communities that emerge in large-scale festivals and now on the Internet. Italian Americans abandon, reproduce, and/or revive various cultural elements in relationship to ever-shifting political, economic, and social conditions. The results are dynamic, hybrid cultural forms such as valtaro accordion music, Sicilian oral poetry, a Columbus Day parade, and witchcraft (stregheria). By taking a closer look and an ethnographic approach to expressive behavior, we see that Italian-American identity is far from being a linear path of assimilation from Italian immigrant to American of Italian descent but is instead fraught with conflict, negotiation, and creative solutions. Together, these essays illustrate how folklore is evoked in the continual process of identity revaluation and reformation.
Ticino is a small area at the southernmost tip of Switzerland on the border with Italy. the Ticino region was actually part of Italy until a few centuries ago. the mandolin arrived in Ticino through immigrants and their music, and put down important cultural roots there. the mandolin style in Ticino is a link to the old Italian folk music tradition, which has been largely lost in Italy and throughout other parts of the world. This book is a collection of some of the most famous pieces from this vast historical repertoire. the collection includes lots of popular folk songs, virtuosic pieces by original mandolin composers, as well as an original Aonzo composition. the book is presented in English and in Italian while the music is in standard notation and mandolin tablature.
Discover, for the first time in one complete work, the rich legacy of magick and ritual handed down by Italian witches through the generations. Ways of the Strega reclaims the beliefs and practices of southern European Pagan spirituality. Learn the secrets of Janarra (lunar) witches, Tanarra (star) witches, and Fanarra (ley lines) witches. This book also details the how-to's of modern Strega traditions.
These 11 stories of romance, mischief and adventure interweave Italy's traditions and heritage with fantasy and folklore. Beautiful princesses, magical animals, handsome princes, fearsome witches and ogres all play their roles in these tales. With captivating illustrations on nearly every page, this collection is sure to delight readers of all ages. This classic volume was originally published before 1920, and Hippocrene Books is pleased to bring it back into print for a whole new generation of readers.
Italian-Americans compose one of the largest ethnic groups in the United States, numbering more than 14 million in the 1990 census. Though they have often been portrayed in fiction and film, these images are often based on stereotypes not borne out among the immigrant and assimilated population.
Explore the Enchanting World of Italy’s Most Treasured Folk Tales Step into a land where ancient olive trees whisper secrets, kind-hearted witches deliver gifts on winter nights, and half-man, half-fish heroes rise from the sea to save their homeland. Folk Tales from Italy: Enchanted Legends of Magic, Miracles, and Mythical Heroes from Italian Folklore invites you on a journey through the rich tapestry of Italy’s legendary past, where every tale is a doorway into a world filled with wonder, wisdom, and timeless beauty. In this captivating collection, you’ll meet unforgettable characters like La Befana, the beloved old witch who brings joy to children during Epiphany, and Colapesce, the legendary figure who holds the fate of Sicily in his hands. Experience the miraculous story of Saint Agatha, whose unwavering faith sparks miracles, and the origins of the famous Tarantella dance, said to be born from the bite of a venomous spider. Each story, steeped in the vibrant culture and history of Italy, offers profound insights and life lessons that transcend generations. A Treasure Trove of Timeless Wisdom and Cultural Heritage These are more than just stories—they are the distilled teachings of a culture, brimming with profound knowledge and timeless wisdom. Folk Tales from Italy is a pleasure to read for all ages, offering narratives that entertain, inspire, and teach universal themes of bravery, kindness, and the eternal struggle between good and evil. This collection is not only a journey into the heart of Italy’s folklore but also a bridge to understanding the values, fears, and hopes of its people. At the heart of this collection lies a mission to preserve these invaluable cultural treasures, ensuring that they continue to inspire and educate future generations. Folk tales are the foundation of human storytelling; they are a window into the soul of a culture. By understanding the stories a culture tells, we gain deeper insights into the human experience. This volume is designed to be a keepsake, a treasure that any library or bookshelf can hold and pass down through the generations. A Must-Have for Any Library or Bookshelf Folk Tales from Italy is envisioned as a cultural heirloom, a book that enriches any personal library or collection. Whether you are a lover of mythology, a seeker of adventure, or a parent eager to introduce your children to the wonders of storytelling, this book is an essential addition to your collection. It’s more than just a book; it’s a celebration of the art of storytelling and a preservation of a priceless cultural heritage. Key Features: Enchanted Italian Legends: Immerse yourself in Italy’s rich folklore, with stories that have been passed down through generations, capturing the essence of the country’s mythological heritage. Perfect for All Ages: This collection offers something for everyone, making it ideal for readers young and old. The stories are as entertaining as they are educational, providing life lessons that resonate across generations. Cultural Insight: Gain a deeper understanding of Italian culture and values through interpretations and analyses of the folk tales that have shaped the nation’s identity. Beautifully Crafted: Designed as a timeless keepsake, this book is a treasure that will enhance any personal library or bookshelf. Folk Tales from Italy is a journey into the heart of Italy’s legendary past, a celebration of its cultural heritage, and a testament to the enduring power of storytelling. Add this volume to your collection today and become part of the timeless tradition of folk tales that continue to inspire and teach us about the world and ourselves.
Drawing out her mother's childhood memories of life in southern Italy at the dawn of the twentieth century, Mary Melfi takes an unconventional approach to autobiographical writing. Italy Revisited serves as a double memoir, told in dialogue between a mother and a daughter. The conversation takes the reader to a medieval town high up in the mountains where time is told by the shadow the sun casts, where wheat and olive oil are the currency of choice (barter is in use), and where marriage is as much about property as it is about love. As they re-create that vanished world, the pair finds greater understanding of the tumultuous relationships that sometimes exist between immigrant mothers and their children.
