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== Bensozia == Bensozia, also spelt Benzosiaj, Benzoria, Bona Socia[1], Benesoze, and Bonesoze[2], was considered to be the major demoness that was worshipped in many European witch cults[3] and a consort to Abezethibou, making her one of the Servitors of Abezethibou[1][4]. She is commonly associated with Diana of the Ancient Gauls, Herodias, Noticula, The Moon, Diana (in the form of Hecate), the many-named queen, Holda, and Frau Holle[1][3][5][6][7].

Etymology
Bensozia meaning “friendly prosperous being” [1] is thought to be a corruption of the French “bonnes choses” which was a result of the Latin “bonae res” which were names given to witches belonging to a certain class [2]. Bensozia might have alternatively come from the corruption of Bona Socia meaning “good companion” or “the good neighbor”[6][13].

Mythology
Bensozia was a chief demoness of certain sabbatical rites and meetings in 12th and 13th century France [3]. Manuscripts from the 13th century found in Couserans describe how Bensozia was thought to lead women out of their houses at night and cause them to ride naked on horseback accompanied by an immense number of illusions [1][3][5]. The women would ride to meeting places in which they would worship Bensozia and sign their names along with those of proper witches in the book of Bensozia believing that in doing so they would become fay/fairies [1][3]. In 1280 Augurius, Bishop of Couserans, wrote in regards to Bensozia, “Let no women be suffered to pretend that she rides abroad at night with Diana, goddess of the heathen, or with Herodias, also called Bensozia.” [5][6].

Frau Holle
Frau Holle or Holde is a Germanic deity whose name means “benevolent” or “propitious” and is commonly referred to as Diana of the Heathens/Ancient Gauls and as Herodias or Bensozia [6][7][8]. Frau Holle was commonly thought to be a spirit of water and atmosphere and the queen of witches [6]. Her cults, known as the Dianic and Herodias cults, were thought to have night time gatherings in which the followers of the demoness would come to honor some of their number and punish others, as well as eat unbaptized children that the demoness decided were not deserving of pity, after which she would take the child’s soul [6][8]. In the 10th century the Canon Episcopi called for the cleansing of “unconstrained women, perverted by Satan, seduced by illusions and phantasms of demons, believe and openly profess that, in the dead of night, they ride upon certain beasts with the pagan goddess Diana, with a countless horde of women, and in the silence of the dead of the night to fly over vast tracts of country, and to obey her commands as their mistress, and to be summoned to her service on other nights.” [9]. In 1487, the Malleus Maleficarum, translated as the Hammer of Witches, would elaborate on the Canon Episcopi further stating that the idea of riding with Diana and her horde was an illusion sent by Satan [10] [11].

Noticula
Noticula is vampiric goddess worshipped in the 12th and 13th centuries in France and is, as some scholars think, a reinterpretation of the deity Bensozia [12]. Noticula’s followers would abduct babies and would feed them as sacrifices in her name to the goddess Lamiae [12]. After devouring the babies Lamiae would regurgitate them and Noticula would bring the child back to life restoring its body and soul [12]. Noticula’s followers would also write their name in a Book of Shadows, after which they would consider themselves to be fay and not human women [12].

Modern Culture
In 1899 Charles Godfrey Leland, a American folklorist, wrote The Gospel of Witches which was a translation of the Italian Vangelo, or Gospel [14]. The Gospel of Witches is a series of spells and myths that have to do with Diana and her daughter Aradia, by Lucifer the sun god [15]. This book was very important to the founding of the religion of Wicca [14]. Bensozia is also appears as character in the popular Dungeons and Dragons role playing game. Her description being “Bensozia is a tall statuesque, human-appearing devil. She has long white hair, large glistening black eyes, scarlet skin, large brown hooves, and a forked tail. She always wears loose black robes with a scarlet silk lining within, and, as Queen of Hell, a diadem of beaten gold set with large rubies” [17]. She is mentioned in Dragon #75(1983), Dragon#76(1983), Guide to Hell(1999), Fiendish Codex II: Tyrants of the Nine Hells (2006), and in Dungeon #197 (2011) [16][17] [18][19][20].