Who Was Aradia: The Queen of Witches
In a previous article, “Aradia di Toscano: Fact or Folklore,” (view article here) we took an in-depth look at the legend surrounding Aradia and discovered how societal changes, modifications within papal legislation, and documented Italian witchcraft trials supported the existence of a mortal woman, a Witch, who led a revolt against the Italian aristocracy and Holy Roman Catholic Church in the 1300’s. Among other mysteries, questions still remain as to who exactly was the woman named, Aradia? Through the context of life during Aradia’s time frame, we will interpret the first chapter of the Aradia (the Gospel) in an attempt to clarify some common misconceptions regarding the text. Along the way, we will look to uncover some hidden clues as to who the woman named, Aradia may have truly been.
In “Chapter I: How Diana Gave Birth to Aradia (Herodias),” the text begins with the parentage of Aradia.
“Diana greatly loved her brother Lucifer, the god of the Sun and of the Moon, the god of Light (Splendor), who was proud of his beauty, and who for his pride was driven from Paradise.”
Although the end of this passage has clearly been Christianized (the influence or blending of the Christian religion on outside cultures and spiritual belief systems), it remains unknown whether such Christianization was the result of Leland’s influence on the text or the result of religious blending that occurred over the centuries. However, what is concretely known in history is that the Etruscan/Roman God Lucifer was personified by the planet Venus, specifically its position during the winter solstice. The pre-dawn hours during the winter solstice are the longest and darkest hours in the seasonal cycle. This is also the time when planet Venus is closest to the Earth, making Venus the brightest heavenly body in the sky. Thus, Lucifer earned the epithet “Prince of Darkness.” It wasn’t until much later in history (after the 10th Century), that Lucifer became associated with the Christian/Jewish antagonist, Satan. See article “The Christianization of Aradia: Origins of Lucifer” for more (click here to view).
In the same first lines of text, we also see Lucifer regarded as Diana’s brother. This “relationship” is explained in the story of Creation as described in Chapter III of the Gospel.
“Diana was the first created… in her were all things; out of herself… she divided… into darkness and light… Lucifer, her brother and son… was the light.”
The text refers to the creation of the universe or the physical realm. The chapter goes on to explain the reunification of Diana (spiritual) and Lucifer (physical) thus, sister and brother.
In the Aradia, the Dianic lore of creation and the paternity of Aradia may come across depicted as incestuous relationships. Many modern readers will dismiss the importance of this text as incest is obviously regarded as the most severe of sexual taboos. Of course knowledge of modern science and genetics forbids any kind of incestuous relationship therefore from a current perspective, this is yet another example of Christianization as it demonizes and demoralizes, Diana, Lucifer as well as their daughter, Aradia. However, if the text is interpreted from a non-Christian, Middle Age point of view, it suddenly takes on an entirely new meaning. Around the world across nearly every culture exist an abundance of mythologies regarding brother and sister deities who are bound in marriage and give rise to progeny. The descendants of such deities are commonly viewed as royalty and nobility. A prominent example is the union of Isis and Osiris who gave rise to the pharos- their human offspring.
From the Himalayas to the Andes, throughout history royalty and nobility did in truth practice inbreeding for the purpose of keeping the bloodlines pure and maintaining their wealth and power. In 500 A.D. the Catholic Church declared marriages between immediate family members immoral and illegal. However, a papal dispensation to allow exemption from the law could be requested and approved (for a high price). It wasn’t until 1500 A.D, (after the time of Aradia), that papal dispensations regarding incestuous marriages were no longer granted and papal laws expanded to forbid marriages between first and second cousins.
When taken within the context of the Roman culture, the incestuous relationship described in the story of creation may infer that Aradia had been a member of the aristocracy. This inference can be further supported by Aradia’s association with Herodias. As previously explained in the article “The Christianization of Aradia,” Herodias, was a Judaea Princess of the Herodian dynasty during the time of the Roman Empire. She was also the sister and wife of King Herod. Herodias became infuriated when John the Baptist refused to bless their marriage and therefore concocted a plan to have him executed. According to scholar Sabina Magliocco, it was likely the association between Herodias and Aradia was not one of Leland’s conjectures but was in fact longue durée (legend material adapted to local socio-cultural context while still maintaining connection). Magliocco concluded the relation between Herodias and Aradia was in regards to shared characteristics.
When taken from a spiritual approach there is another possible association between Aradia and Herodias. The verse following the explanation of Aradia’s paternity reveals her past and present incarnation into the mortal realm:
“Tis true that thou are a spirit art, But thou were born but to become again a mortal; thou must go to earth below to be a teacher.”
From the text, it is probable Aradia was a reincarnation of Herodias. The passage explains how the spirit of Aradia had been incarnated before and was being reincarnated again to earth. The text also states Aradia’s purpose for being reincarnated- to teach and remind humans of “the old ways of witchcraft.” Furthermore, the Gospel specifically tells what Aradia “shall not ever be.”
“Yet like Cain’s daughter, thou shalt never be.”
Most can recount the story of Cain, the first murderer. In Jewish and Christian mythology, Cain was a farmer that refused to give God the best “first fruits” of his harvest. When Cain was ordered by God to present an offering, God rejected his gift, yet accepted an offering from Cain’s brother, Abel. In a jealous rage, Cain executed his brother and lied about the murder to God. For his sins, God condemned Cain to forever toil and labor the land without receiving the fruits of his labor. Cain was also cursed to receive seven-fold punishment for his sins, as were his children and all his descendants. This is an important point since the sins of Cain and the curse imposed upon his descendants was used as a justification by the Church to enforce feudalism. The Pope, bishops, and priests had the right to rule the people and own the land because they were chosen by God. Royalty and nobility had the right to rule the people because their family line was favored by God. Peasants and serfs had the duty to toil and labor the land because they were the children of Cain. Through toil, labor, and humility, Cain’s children were given the opportunity to save their souls from the curse of Cain. However, if the peasants exhibited any sin of Cain (pride, arrogance, anger, envy, greed, and apostasy) then it was the lords’ or the priests’ duty to enforce a sevenfold punishment ordained by God.
The lines of text that follow add greater credence to the assumption Aradia was not born into the lower level of the caste system. She will not be “as are the Jews” (who were continuously conquered, enslaved and exiled). She would not be a persecuted criminal “suffering” like “thieves and knaves,” (who, in the opening of the chapter, were referred to as slaves of the rich, which were serfs and peasants). Aradia would not be of the “oppressed class,” which means she had to be part of the only other class of that time period- wealthy nobility.
The following verse begins with Diana proclaiming that Aradia would be “the first of witches known… of all I’ the world.” Although Aradia today has acquired world renown through the publication of the Gospel; during the Middle Ages, Aradia had obtained a large group of followers of mainly women. As a hereditary Witch, Aradia would have gained followers through word of mouth. However, in order to recruit followers for the cause, Aradia would have required the means to travel. Travel during the Middle Ages was very slow and dangerous. The weather, wild animals, bandits and the need to find shelter and water were all a factor as women did not ever travel alone. Peasants and serfs were bound to the land meaning they could not leave without the lord’s permission. Traveling the countryside and teaching the old ways required time and money, two things peasants did not have. Once more, the Gospel leads to evidence Aradia, was a woman born into a position of affluence.
Chapter I of the Gospel provides details into the life of the woman named, Aradia. Her parents were brother and sister, a common practice amongst nobility. She was not a vagabond as she possessed a home and property. She also had the means to travel. Yet, there is another clue that tells us Aradia was of noble birth- poison. The Gospel states that Aradia would teach the “art of poisoning, Of poisoning those who are great lords of all.”
From the time of the rise of the Roman Empire, poisonings were an epidemic. Although poisoning was committed within all social classes, poison was the “preferred method” of the aristocracy in assassinating their political enemies. The practice was so common that lords employed taste testers, who were typically family members belonging to the kitchen staff and maids. Not knowing whether your child would be chosen to sample the lord’s food made for a vigilant cook. If the staff could not be convinced of carrying out the task of poisoning the meal, then the chore was left to an individual who could get close to the lord and thus, his food. The higher an individual ranked within society the closer their seat was in relation to the lord during meals. So, in order to poison his food, one would have to sit close to the lord’s meal after it had been taste tested.
Although Chapter 1 of the Gospel provides supportive evidence Aradia, was born into a position of nobility, there is yet one other possibility as to life she may have led. During the Middle Ages, it was common for younger girls within an aristocratic family to be sent to a convent as all nuns during that time period, came from wealthy families. Only those with wealth could afford to pay the Church enough money to see to the lifetime care of a young lady being commissioned. There are indications throughout the Gospel that support the possibility of Aradia having been educated as a nun (for example in the verse, “when a priest shall do you injury by his benedictions“). However the very role of a nun during the time period makes the probability even greater. Nuns were the first nurses and the only individuals allowed to practice herbal medicine during the Middle Ages. When a lord or priest fell sick, a nun would be sent to care for him. A nun would be able to administer medicine (or poison) and if the patient happened to die, no one would question the cause of death.
As a nun, Aradia would have been born to nobility, would have had the means to travel about the countryside, would have been educated, would have had unfettered access to lords and priests, would have been allowed to practice medicine and would have been forced to accept Benediction. While we may never know the exact details of a life led by the Queen of Witches, Aradia; the clues to her station as a mortal are concealed within the Gospel’s text. Furthermore, the “Aradia, Gospel of the Witches, 1899,” holds great knowledge, wisdom and enlightenment written “between ” the lines. For those who are called by Diana… for those pupils of Aradia “who fain would study,” Diana will “teach [them] in truth all things.”
– The Goddess Kingdom© 2023
