“The primary focus of the book is to shed light on the concepts of indigenous and trans-cultural shamanism within the Italian context, while also delving into the fascinating realm of Italian folk magic tradition that I systematised as the Tradition of Segnature.”
-Dr Angela Puca
In the late 1890s, Eustace Neville-Rolfe–an acquaintance of Charles Godfrey Leland–made a curious discovery after purchasing a packet of cigars from a shop in Naples. While pulling away the wrapping, he noticed a slip of paper covered in various magical letters and glyphs. Upon further inspection, he realised that the spell was addressed to none other than “Prince Baracchiello”.
Puzzled, Neville-Rolfe asked for help from a trio of women who knew how to use the planchette (an instrument for automatic writing). They came back to him with answers that only deepened the mystery. According to their contact from the spirit world, an assembly of people had used the spell in August 1829 to stop a series of disastrous floods. The strange response confirmed Neville-Rolfe’s suspicions that Italy’s cities and villages were secretly full of sorcerers.
Today, scholars are delving much further into the world and history of Italian witchcraft. Dr Angela Puca is one of them. A graduate of Leeds University, where she received her PhD in Anthropology of Religion, Puca is the author of forthcoming book, Italian Witchcraft and Shamanism. She is also the founder of Angela’s Symposium, a popular web channel that explores various topics in philosophy and esotericism. The Thinker’s Garden caught up with Puca to learn more about her research into what she has described as Italy’s “indigenous and trans-cultural shamanism”.
The Custodian: Which personal experiences with religion and spirituality would you say have most influenced your career path?
Dr Angela Puca: While I’ve chosen to maintain a level of privacy about my personal spiritual and religious experiences, I can certainly share that my early exposure to classical studies, and in particular, the mythologies of the Romans and Greeks, sparked an intrigue in contemporary Paganism. It’s important to note that while contemporary Paganism is often not viewed as a direct continuation of pre-Christian religious practices, it nonetheless draws significantly from pre-Christian deities and mythologies.
This act of reinterpreting and revitalising ancient myths resonates deeply with me. Equally captivating is the Pagan belief in the omnipresent divine, which permeates both the tangible and intangible world, recognising the divine in its diverse male and female manifestations.
The intricate philosophy and worldview that underpin Paganism and traditions involving magic have motivated me to explore these domains academically. Furthermore, my extensive study of and teaching experience in Indian and Tibetan philosophies and religions have broadened my understanding of diverse spiritual paths.
I am especially fascinated by the concept of magic, which remains my central research interest. I’ve been investigating various manifestations of magic, particularly in relation to contemporary Paganism. To sum up, the allure of these philosophies, worldviews, and the concept of magic has shaped my academic trajectory in this field.
C: Why did you decide to launch Angela’s Symposium? What do you enjoy most about it?
AP: I embarked on the journey of launching my YouTube channel, Angela’s Symposium, during the final year of my PhD. Granted a sabbatical from my teaching responsibilities at Leeds Trinity University to focus on my dissertation, I sought a novel outlet for my instructional energy–one that was accessible and engaging, hence, the digital realm of social media.
The appeal of expressing myself freely online, without the need to “diminish” my enthusiasm or passion, was exhilarating. Initially, I imagined my channel reaching only a handful of viewers. However, even with a larger audience, the informal, entertainment-infused nature of the platform allowed me to remain authentic and true to myself.
And that’s precisely what Angela’s Symposium embodies–an authentic sharing of my passion and dreams with all who wish to be a part of our thriving community. The sense of community, indeed, is what I cherish the most about this endeavour.
My community, and particularly my Patreon community, holds a special place in my heart. Their financial contributions undeniably help sustain the project, but it’s their emotional support that truly uplifts my spirit during challenging times. Some of my long-standing patrons have evolved from being supporters to friends, with whom I’ve had the pleasure of meeting in person. In another remarkable instance, a patron transitioned into the role of a research assistant and now efficiently moderates our Discord server.
Thus, while the dissemination of academic research on esoteric subjects forms the intellectual backbone of Angela’s Symposium, the vibrant community that we’ve fostered serves as its emotional lifeblood.
C: Could you tell us more about your forthcoming book on trans-cultural shamanism in Italy? How does this relate to the Segnature tradition?
AP: Thank you for your interest in my forthcoming book on trans-cultural shamanism in Italy. Currently, the book is undergoing the rigorous process of peer-review, which unfortunately tends to take a considerable amount of time in academic publishing. However, I’m excited to share some details about it.
The provisional title of my book is Italian Witchcraft and Shamanism. It originated from my PhD dissertation, which has now been expanded into a comprehensive exploration. The primary focus of the book is to shed light on the concepts of indigenous and trans-cultural shamanism within the Italian context, while also delving into the fascinating realm of Italian folk magic tradition that I systematized as the Tradition of Segnature.
In relation to the Tradition of Segnature, my doctoral research involved a comprehensive study of this healing practice, characterised by the use of signs and specific words. I took an organised approach to understanding the Italian vernacular healing methods, collectively identifying them under the label “The Tradition of Segnature“. I proposed through my study that this tradition essentially represents Italy’s indigenous shamanism. The segnatori (for males) or segnatrici (for females) are the traditional healers who administer the segnature through a distinct initiation process. Despite regional variations in Italy, the segnature remains an integral part of these practices, irrespective of whether the term itself is explicitly employed.
Throughout the book, readers will discover an in-depth analysis of what trans-cultural shamanism entails, particularly in relation to Italy. It explores the ways in which different cultures and influences have shaped and contributed to the unique practices and beliefs of Italian shamanism. Additionally, the book unravels the rich tapestry of the Italian folk magic Tradition of Segnature, providing valuable insights and knowledge for those interested in the subject.
In the meantime, I have created a series of videos on my YouTube channel, where I delve into various aspects of the book’s themes. These videos offer a glimpse into the topics covered in my forthcoming publication, and I encourage anyone who is interested to check them out for a sneak peek. Thank you once again for your curiosity about my book. I eagerly anticipate its release and the opportunity to share my research and discoveries with a wider audience.
C: What other projects are you working on?
AP: As for my ongoing projects, I am co-editing an informative volume named Pagan Religions in Five Minutes. The goal of this book, which will be published by Equinox, is to bring together insights from international scholars, answering primary queries about Paganism and related traditions in a digestible Q&A format. Furthermore, I am excited to be collaborating with academics from the University of Turin to contribute to the inaugural Italian academic book on Paganism. Lastly, I am conceptualising a unique research and book project that delves into the intersection of magic and future technology, though it is still in its early stages of development.
To support Dr Puca’s work, visit her Youtube and Patreon pages.