Roman Gods of the Month: August 16 – 31

Portunus

To honor Portunus, the God of Ports and Keys, Romans hold the Portunalia on August 17. Because He first protected gates, Portunus is shown holding keys. During the Portunalia, people throw their keys into fires to safeguard their homes.

 

Venus and Jupiter

On August 19, Venus is celebrated as the Goddess of Fertility in the Fields and Gardens. (She is also the Patroness of Farmers.) For the Vinalia Rustia, Venus is honored with Jupiter Pluvius, the Bringer of Rain. This festival focusses on the coming grape harvest. During the festival, the priests break off unripe grapes from vines. This is to symbolically to protect the vines for the coming harvest. (In April, the Vinalia Priora is the celebration of the wine from the harvested grapes.)

 

Volcanus (Vulcan)

On August 23, the Volcanalia is held to ask Volcanus, the God of Raging Fires, to stay at rest. To honor Volcanus, herds are driven over fires, and fish are offered. Also, people ask Him to protect their homes from fire.

 

Sacrifices are also made to Stata Mater, the Goddess of Quenching the Fire and Juturna, the Goddess of Streams as well. Moreover, Ops Opifera receives offerings to protect the newly harvested grain. As the Consort of Volcanus, Maia, Goddess of Internal Warmth, is also given offerings.

 

Consus and Ops

The first sets of two festivals for Consus and Ops is held on August 21, the Consualia, and August 25, the Opiconsivia. The second sets of festivals is held in December. The first set celebrates the end of the harvest, and the second the autumn sowing. Between the August festivals, the Mundus Patet (the Door to the Underworld) is opened on August 24 for the first time in the year.

 

The Consualia, a public festival, featured horse racing. The God of the Granary, Consus is also associated with mules and horses. He also received offerings of first fruits of the harvest.

 

Meanwhile the Opiconsivia for Ops, the Goddess of Plenty, is a private affair attended by the Vestal Virgins and the Sacerdos Publica (head priest). Ops in her role of Consiva (the Sower) is celebrated. Therefore during this festival to Ops, one hand touches the earth while invoking this Goddess.

 

Volturnus

Finally on August 27, the Volturnalia is held to ask Volturnus not to bring the drying winds. Originally an Etruscan God, Volturnus raises clouds of dust thereby causing much devastation. For the Ancient Romans, the drying winds came from the southeast, therefore Volturnus is also the God of the Southeast Wind.