Roman Gods of the Month: June

 June (Junius) is dedicated to Juno (Iuno), the Patroness of Women. It is unclear why Juno is honored by Romans at this time, since only Juno Moneta has a festival day in June. However, marriages in the last two weeks of June were considered especially blessed by this Goddess of Marriage. 

 

However, the tradition of June being for Juno is murky. Ovid in “Fasti,” suggests that “Junius” (which means “junior”) referred to June since May (Maius) was from “Maiores,” (the elders). He also suggests that “Junius” could come from “Iungo” (“to join”) since this could be the month that the Romans and Sabines were united.

 

VESTA

The main focus of June is the Vestalia from June 7 to 15. The Inner Sanctum of the Temple of Vesta, Goddess of the Hearth, was opened to women. The temple was cleaned, purified, and rededicated. (The rubbish was then into the Tiber River.) In the Roman religion, Vesta is the Perpetual Fire, Who keeps the Pact between the People and the Gods. 

 

HERCULES

I have a personal cultus to Hercules, who is considered to be one of the early founders of Rome. Some of the Greek mythology of Heracules was grafted onto Hercules, the Roman God Hero. However, Romans had their own particular myths about Him. For example, the focus of Hercules’ worship, the Ara Maxima (the Greatest Altar) is where He killed Cacus, the monster who terrorized the early Romans.

 

Two temples of Hercules have dedications this month. Hercules Magno Custodi (the Great Custodian) has one on June 4, and Hercules Musarum (of the Muses) on June 29. The first was vowed on the orders of the Sibylline Books in light of Hannibal’s victories against Rome. The second was where poets and others would come to pay their respects to Hercules and the Muses. 

 

MATER MATUTA

On June 11, the Matralia is held. Single women and women in their first marriage (univira) offer prayers for their sisters’ children. Traditionally a slave was driven out of her temple in Rome.

 

MINERVA

Between June 13 and 15, the Lesser Quinquatria (Quinquartrus Minusculae) is held. Flute players (tibicines) dressed up in festive clothing. Wearing masks, they wandered about businesses, playing their instruments.

 

SUMMANUS

Another God that I have a cultus for is Summanus, the God of the Nocturnal Heavens. He ruled the night as Jupiter ruled the day. His festival day is June 20, when people offered round breads imprinted with wheels to Him. The Summer Solstice was known as “The Day of Torches,” (dies lampadarum).

 

FORS FORTUNA

The popular Goddess Fors Fortuna has her festival on June 24. Traditionally, Romans would take flower-decked boats down the Tiber to her temple. It is customary to wear flowers and get roaring drunk on her feast day. (Fors Fortuna is the Goddess of Lucky Change and is responsible for rags to riches stories.)