A Venefica: Roman Sorceress or Humble Servant?
After helping a reader with a question, she looked up “A Venefica” to get the meaning behind the name Venefica.
She responded to me with this result (presumably from Wiki):
Dear A. Venefica, Thank you for taking the time to reply to my question. Being ever curious i looked up your name , i am guessing you already know the meaning. A [[Venefica sorceress]] was a Roman woman who used drugs, potions, and poison. This means that “A.Venefica” = A.Sorceress
This is only one of the name’s many potential translations.
As with most symbols, names and words – there are often many facets to the truth. The meaning of the name Venefica is not as clean cut as Wikipedia recites.
The thread of the name Venefica can be pulled back to ancient Latin in which the root, vene, suggests veneration and honor. Further, the root is traced to the planet Venus which was regarded as a major influence in the lives of humans.
Around the first century BC in ancient Rome, certain women (venefica’s) were considered natural intuitives who served the people in a advisory capacity. These women helped the community to clarify issues, and assist in solving problems all humans encounter in daily life.
Further, they would interpret celestial energies emmiting from not only Venus (considered their kindred planet – the planet of Divine Femininity) but from other planets, the stars, the Earth, animals, and other humans.
Their interpretations of cosmic energy were considered invaluable and these women were considered honorable oracles to the masses.
It was not until after the crucifixion of the Christ and the subsequent dissemination/revisions of the sacred texts decades later (now known as the gospels of the Bible) that that the term venefica took on a dour tone.
Why? In the mindset of the time, if there was to be only one message, one God, and only one Light (the Christ) and these entities are depicted in a male aspect – then a divining female with uncommon interpretive skills (i.e. having perceived power) did not fit the equation.
So, (well-meaning, I’m sure) leaders such as Constantine took measures to reduce those who might be seen as usurping the a divine status quo – particularly females – in this case, venefica’s.
And so ”A.Venefica” if interpreted within a constricted translation of Biblical texts (within which we are told to admonish the company of venefica’s) = A Sorceress.
On a personal note, the name was a gift to me, and with it came this history. I’m neither a sorceress, nor an oracle – but I do interpret energy patterns, and perhaps that’s why the name was given to me.
Whatever the case…the name for me, is a reminder to maintain honor (veneration) as my dominant intent in all matters.
