Daily Rituals: Morning at the Lararium

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 (I was asked by a reader to expound on my Roman practice. If other readers have requests, I will consider them.)

 

As a Roman Polytheist, I have daily devotions at my Lararium, following a standard outline. This ritual developed as I deepened my relations with the Gods. The following is an outline of what I do now.

 

Please note that the first day of the month is Kalends with addition prayers to Juno. Nones (the fifth day) and Ides (the thirteenth) is sacred to Jupiter. (In March, May, July, October, the Nones and Ides are the seventh and fifteenth.)

 

Wash hands before approaching Lararium. (The Romans value ritual purity.)

I pray that this water will purify my body, mind, and heart.

 

At the Lararium.

Salve Ianus Pater,

Father Janus, who receives the first and last offerings.

Look upon this offering with kind eyes,

You who receive the first.

 

Salve Ianus Patulcius,

The Opener of Doors

Who lets good things enter

Who lets bad things leave

Guardian of the Homes of the Gods

Kindly guard our home as we go in and out

We thank You.

 

I light the fire of the candle and place the incense in the turibulum (incense burner).

Salve Vesta Mater,

Mother Vesta

The Eternal Flame of Rome

Who is the Axis Mundi

Bless Our Fire

May Your Flame warm our hearts

May Your Flame warm our home

We thank You.

 

Then I offer milk and Cheerios. (My husband said to me that the Lars, at my kitchen altar, would not stop staring at him. To satisfy Them, he would give some Cheerios while he was eating breakfast.)

 

Salve Apollo Medicus,

Apollo the Healer

Allow us good health

Grant us Your Healing

We thank You

 

Salve Iuno Curitis,

Juno the Protector

Kindly watch over us

Guide us today

We thank You

 

Salve Lares Familiares,

Kindly watch over our family

Keep us healthy and safe

We thank You.

 

Salvete Lares Domestici,

Kindly watch over our home

Keep it well

We thank You.

 

Salvete di Penates,

Guardians of the Pantry

Protect our food

May we never know hunger.

We thank You.

 

Salvete di Parentes,

The Ancestors

Kindly watch over us

May we be guided by You

We thank You

 

Prayers for the Gods of the Day, such as Juno at the Kalends or the Pales in on their festival days in April and July.

 

We give so that You may give

 

Thank All of You for blessing our home and family

May only good things

May only fortunate things

Happen for us today

May we receive Your Blessings

We thank You

I extinguish the candle

Vesta Mater

May You be blessed

 

I offer another stick of incense

Salve Ianus Pater,

Father Janus, who receives the first and last offerings

Look upon this offering with kind eyes,

You who receive the last.

 

Salve Ianus Clusivus,

The Closer of Doors

Who lets only good things stay

Who lets only bad things leave.

Guardian of the Homes of the Gods

We thank You

 

It is done!