Mercury amulets have a specific connotation that stretches back to ancient times. The element mercury has long been associated with various properties, including healing, magic, communication, and protection. In many cultures, it was believed that wearing a mercury amulet could bring good fortune and ward off evil spirits. The amulets were often made in the shape of a mercurial element symbol or small vial containing liquid mercury. One of the main ideas behind the connotation of mercury amulets is their connection to healing. Mercury was thought to possess transformative and purifying properties.
Mercury was thought to possess transformative and purifying properties. It was believed to have the power to cleanse the body and promote overall well-being. By wearing a mercury amulet, individuals hoped to harness these healing energies and promote their own physical and spiritual health.
Witchcraft, Folklore, Polytheism
Hey! That’s wonderful! They’re surprisingly difficult to find any accurate information on!
My best resources are the article by Sabina Magliocco titled Witchcraft, healing, and vernacular magic in Italy, a less reliable article (that mixes witch-lore and folk magic all together) by J.B. Andrews called Neapolitan Witchcraft, and Carlo Ginzburg’s book The Night Battles about the benandanti in Friuli (Northeastern region of Italy).
If anyone knows any other sources feel free to list them!
Italian witch lore is very old, as there have been legends of witches in this region for a very long, accountable period. The word strega (witch) most likely comes from the Latin strix (screech owl) which witches were thought to take the shape of in the night. The practice of witchcraft is called stregoneria, a male witch is a stregone, and a female witch is a strega.
There are more legends of Italian witches in the south (particularly near Naples). One of the most famous is the story of the witches of Benevento, who convened beneath a walnut tree on a hill therein, and danced and worshiped the Devil. This tree was supposedly cut down.
There is a popular image of a witch who arises among Christian tradition in Italy, even still today. This witch is called Old Befana or Bella Befana(Bruta Befana, Bella Befana or Vecchia Befana) who is a good witch who lived alone in a small cottage. One day, three wise men knocked on her door. “Behold! The child of God is born, (yada yada) we’re going to find him and bring him gifts! Will you join us Old Befana?” Now, Old Befana was glad to hear the news and excited to meet the new babe and give it what gifts she could. However, she was not one to shuck her responsibilities so she said she would have to wait until her chores were completed. They agreed and she saw them off, before finishing her cleaning. Once her duties were completed, she packed up her presents for the babe, hopped promptly onto the broom she had just finished sweeping with, and flew out the chimney into the cold night. However, they had not told her how to find them again! Not wanting to deny the boy his gifts, she decided to give some to all the little children she passed on her way, as any might be the new born child of God. Every year on that same night, Old Befana rides out on her broom and deposits gifts for little children, in hopes that one day she will finally find the baby Jesus and give him the presents she has been holding all this time.
In southern Italy, many of the tales of witches (streghe) and folk healers (fattucchiere, or ‘fixers’) tell of the songs they sing to work their magic. Unfortunately, this seems to be all anyone knows on the subject, and I can’t find any references or information on these songs!
In lore, the witches of both benevolent and malefic natures are closely related or interchangeable with more faerie-like spirits. The Janare of Naples/Janas of Sardinia (lit. followers of Diana) are magical women said to live in Neolithic shaft tombs and are expert weavers and spinners. They sometimes intermarry with humans, but are very different from the cogas (or little cooks) of Sardinia, who are malefic witches that cook and eat their victims.
Most folk magic in Italy has died out, even in many of the rural areas. What is documented and what remains is all, unsurprisingly, Catholic magic. Much of it draws to saints, prayers, and Catholic holy tools. One name for this form of magic is benedicaria. However, much of it seems more agricultural or magical and less religious in nature. There is no point assuming this other source is pagan, because we could never prove where almost of any of it originated.
Most witchcraft you will find today in Italy, especially in urbanized areas, is of a New Age or Neo-pagan persuasion. Neo-Wicca is about the best you can hope to find, and even that is comparatively rare to that found in Great Britain, Australia, and the U.S.
In conversations about Italian magic and witchcraft, Raven Grimassi’s book Italian Witchcraft tends to come up. THIS BOOK IS UTTER BULLSHIT. HOGWASH. STUFF AND NONSENSE. It’s almost literally just Neo-Wicca with different names and some made up information. I’m not exaggerating. If you have this book, it’s better off as kindling than on your bookshelf. Just saying.
Charles Leland’s book Aradia: The Gospel of the Witches is a pretty piece of poetry, and perhaps has some truths in it, but it can never be relied upon. His source is not credible, and the information doesn’t add up well. It is a beautiful book, but not an accurate account of Italian magic or witchcraft.
Here are a few blog posts I have made relating to Italian witchcraft and folk magic:
Bruno’s own first supernatural experience came at age 12 when she looked over at a classmate in school and suddenly experienced a vision accompanied by a cold chill.
Another significant aspect of the connotation of mercury amulets is their association with magic and communication. In ancient civilizations, mercury was associated with the Roman god Mercury, who was the messenger of the gods. The element's ever-changing and fluid nature was seen as representative of divine communication and the ability to traverse between different realms. By wearing a mercury amulet, individuals believed they could enhance their own abilities in communication, divination, and magical practices. Furthermore, mercury amulets were also seen as protective talismans. The element was believed to have the power to repel negative energies and ward off evil spirits. It was thought that wearing a mercury amulet could create a protective shield around the wearer, keeping them safe from harm. In summary, the connotation of mercury amulets is rooted in their association with healing, magic, communication, and protection. These amulets were believed to possess mystical qualities that could enhance the wearer's overall well-being, facilitate communication with spiritual realms, and provide protection against negative forces. The symbolism and power associated with mercury amulets have persisted throughout history, and many individuals still turn to them for their perceived benefits..
Reviews for "The Esoteric Meaning of the Mercury Amulet"
1. John - 1 star - I was really disappointed with the "Connotation of mercury amulet" book. The plot was confusing and totally lacked coherence. It was difficult to follow the storyline as it jumped from one event to another without any clear explanation or connection. Additionally, I found the characters to be shallow and poorly developed. Overall, this book was a complete letdown, and I wouldn't recommend it to anyone.
2. Emily - 2 stars - I had high expectations for "Connotation of mercury amulet" based on the positive reviews I read, but unfortunately, it did not live up to them. The writing style was uninspiring and failed to captivate my interest. The dialogue felt forced and unnatural, making it hard for me to connect with the characters. Moreover, the pacing was too slow, and the story seemed to drag on without any significant development. I was left feeling bored and unfulfilled after reading this book.
3. Sarah - 2 stars - "Connotation of mercury amulet" was not my cup of tea. The author tried to incorporate various elements into the story, like mystery and romance, but it felt forced and poorly executed. The plot lacked originality and felt cliché. I also had trouble connecting with the characters, as they were one-dimensional and lacked depth. The writing style was choppy, making it challenging to get into the flow of the story. Overall, I found this book to be a lackluster read and wouldn't recommend it.
4. Tom - 1 star - I couldn't get past the first few chapters of "Connotation of mercury amulet" because the writing was incredibly convoluted and difficult to understand. The author seemed more concerned with showcasing their vocabulary than creating a coherent and engaging story. The excessive use of obscure words and overly descriptive prose made it challenging to follow the plot and fully grasp the events taking place. I ultimately gave up on this book as it was simply too frustrating to read.