Grimassi, Raven
Raven Grimassi (1951–2019 ) was an American witch with a heritage and expertise in Italian Witchcraft. Raven Grimassi is the author of several books on the Craft, including the Encyclopedia of Wicca & Witchcraft. Grimassi’s mother came to the United States in 1946. Grimassi says one of his ancestors is a Neapolitan witch, Calenda Tavani, and that Italian Witchcraft absorbed elements of Catholicism in order to survive.
He was raised Catholic, but at age 13 stopped attending services and turned his interest to Witchcraft. In 1969, he was initiated into Gardnerian/Alexandrian Wicca by Lady Heather and studied under Lady Sara Cunningham. In 1975, he was initiated into Brittic Wicca, a blend of Basque Witchcraft and English Wicca. He also joined the Rosicrucians and First Temple of Tipareth.
In 1983, he was initiated into the Pictish-Gaelic tradition. Grimassi began his writing career in 1981, writing and editing The Shadow’s Edge, a publication about Italian Witchcraft. He has contributed to the magazines Moon Shadow and Raven’s Call. Booklets and books include The Book of the Holy Strega (1981), The Book of Ways (1981), The Wiccan Mysteries (1998), Italian Witchcraft (2000), Hereditary Witchcraft (1999), Beltane (2001), and Wiccan Magick (1998). The Encyclopedia of Wicca and Witchcraft was published in 2000.
Grimassi lives on Crow Haven ranch in southern California.
Bibliography
- 1981: The Book of the Holy Strega
- 1981: The Book of Ways Volumes I and II
- 1994: Ways of the Strega reprinted as Italian Witchcraft: The Old Religion of Southern Europe in 1995
- Hereditary Witchcraft: Secrets of the Old Religion. Llewellyn Publications.
- The Encyclopedia of Wicca and Witchcraft. Llewellyn Publications.
- Beltane: Springtime Rituals, Lore and Celebration.
- Hereditary Witchcraft. Llewellyn Publications.
- Wiccan Magick. Llewellyn Publications.
- The Wiccan Mysteries. Llewellyn Publications.
- The Witches' Craft: The Roots of Witchcraft & Magical Transformation.
- Spirit of the Witch: Religion & Spirituality in Contemporary Witchcraft.
- The Witch's Familiar: Spiritual Partnership for Successful Magic.
- Witchcraft: A Mystery Tradition. Llewellyn Publications.
- Well Worn Path: Divination Kit.
- Hidden Path: Divination Kit.
- Crafting Wiccan Traditions. Llewellyn Publications.
- The Cauldron of Memory: Retrieving Ancestral Knowledge & Wisdom.
- Old World Witchcraft: Ancient Ways for Modern Days. Weiser Books.
- Grimoire of the Thorn-Blooded Witch. Weiser Books.
- Communing with the Ancestors. Weiser Books.
SOURCE:
The Encyclopedia of Witches, Witchcraft and Wicca – written by Rosemary Ellen Guiley – Copyright © 1989, 1999, 2008 by Visionary Living, Inc.