Etruscan Roman Remains in Popular Tradition

This, I think, establishes the identity of the modern Tinea with the ancient god of thunder. According to MÜLLER the name occurs only once as Tina. His form is often found on mirrors. It is very interesting to learn that an invocation to the Etruscan Jove still exists as a real thing, and that, after a humble fashion, he is still worshipped.

There is another invocation to the thunder and lightning, but it is not connected with this deity. It is as follows:--

"When you see thunder and lightning you should say:--

"'Santa Barbara, benedetta,
Liberateci dalla saetta,
E dal gran tuono!
Santa Barbara e San Simone,
San Simone e San Eustachio,
Sempre io mi raccomando!'"

Or in English freely rendered:--

"Saint Barbara, the blest, I pray,
Keep the shafts from me away!
And from thunder in the skies,
Simon--Barbara likewise--
Saint Eustace and Simon too
I commend myself to you!"

For there are two distinct religions, "one good if the other fails," in La Romagna, and many still believe that that of the spirits, or ancient gods, is, on the whole, the most to be relied on. It is true that it is departing very rapidly, and that now only a few of the faithful still know the chief names and invocations, yet, after slender fashion, they still exist. Ten years hence some of the most important of these names of the gods will have utterly passed away; as it is, they are only known to a few among the oldest peasants, or to a strega, who keeps the knowledge as a secret.

Strangely allied to Tinia is the herb or plant of the same name, which is popularly regarded with great respect from its superior magic qualities. It is,

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in fact, a spirit itself. A specimen of it was obtained in Rocca Casciano for me, and with it I received the following:--

"The plant Tigna should be held of great account, because when one is afflicted by the spirit Tigna (Tinia) this herb should be put in a little (red) bag and always worn, and specially on children's necks.

"When Tigna begins to vex a family it is terrible. Then with this plant we should make every morning the sign of the cross and say:--

"'Padre in pace se ne vada
Per mezzo di questa erba,
Quella testa in Tigna.
Figlio in pace sene vada,
Quello spirito maligno,
Spirito in carna ed ossa,
In pace te ne possa,
Te ne poissa andare;
Amenne per mezzo di questa erba
In casa mia piu tu non possa entrare,
E forza di farmi del male
Piu non avrai!'"

This incantation, which was either imperfectly remembered, and is certainly in a somewhat broken form (as is the case with others which had not been recalled for many years), may be rendered in English as follows:--

"Father, let depart in peace,
By means of this herb,
That witness (bears) Tigna!
Son, let depart in peace
That malignant spirit!
Spirit, in flesh and bones
In peace thou shalt not go,
Until by means of this herb
Thou shalt no longer enter my house,
And no longer have power
To do me harm!"

"And never forget to bless yourself with this herb."