Charms and Sacred Jewelry: Cimaruta

Cimaruta Cimaruta
Cimaruta literally means, in Italian, "sprig of rue." Among the streghe, it is a powerful amulet against malocchia, or the "evil eye." The plant rue is sacred to Diana. The cimaruta is usually made from silver or white-colored metal in honor of the moon Goddess, in the shape of rue. Its powers are enhanced by small charms attached to it.

Photo by Snooks Family Photography

Different cimrutas may have different charms attached. The charms often include a dagger, fish, key, vervain blossom, crescent moon, and fig sign, all of which are associated with le vecchia religione. The cimaruta shown here also has a charm with a Christian influence, the Sacred Heart of the Madonna. Janet Farrar once told me that the different charm designs on different cimarutas indicate clans in the strega tradition.

Gerald Gardner, the "Grand Old Man of Wicca," never claimed to have any training from any of the Italian witches. Interestingly, he did own a cimaruta, which he later passed to Doreen Valiente. You can find a photo of it in one of her many books.

This particular cimaruta was purchased from The Walnut Tree, in Gaithersburg, Maryland. The Walnut Tree is now out of business.

Cimaruta Parella Cimaruta
Katherine Parella provided this image of her family's Cimaruta. An authentic Cimaruta dating back to the early 1900's, it has 13 symbols.
Silver copies of Katherine's Cimaruta are available on her website from $95 to $185. She offers pewter Cimarutas starting at $30.
Katherine Parella Designs: www.bellaluna59.com

The Aradia Goddess web site receives no financial compensation for providing the link to Katherine Parella Designs. We are grateful, however, for free use of the photograph of her Cimaruta on this page.

See:
The ABC of Aradia: Rue
Relieving Malochia
More Cimaruta

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