Calendar for February

Sacra Publica
13th - 22nd: Parentalia
13th - 15th: Lupercalia
17th: Quirinalia
21th: Feralia
22nd: Caristia
23rd: Terminalia
27th: First Equirria

The first day of the month is the Kalends, sacred to Juno. The Nones falls on the 5th and the Ides, sacred to Jupiter, falls on the 13th. The 2nd, 6th and 14th are unlucky (ater).

Ovid (Fasti II) says:

The fathers of Rome called purification februa
Many things still indicate that meaning for the word.

Februa is a goddess of purification, and a primary theme this month is "purification". In the oldest Roman calendar, the year began on March 1st, so February, the last month, was a time of purification before the starting of the year.

Now a second lararium source!

I hope that it is obvious that I wholeheartedly support the sacra privata, and especially the household worship at the lararium. One of the most important documents (in my opinion) that we have here is the lararium guide. So I am very happy to announce that we now have a new source for pre-made lararium aediculae. ("Aedicula" = small temple, one of several authentic lararium forms.)

Prepare for the monthly Kalends and Ides rituals.

"The worship of Juno claims our Italy's Kalends
While a larger white ewe-lamb falls to Jupiter on the Ides." - Ovid, Fasti I

Cato the Elder gives instructions for the vilica, the wife of the overseer of the farm. These instructions probably reflect the duties that fell upon the materfamilias of every family: "On the Kalends, Ides and Nones, and any holy day, place a garland over the hearth and pray to the household gods as opportunity offers" (Cato, De Re Agricultura 143).

The Kalends and Ides rituals are a great way to start being active in the sacra privata of the Cultus Deorum.