Lupa, the She-Wolf of Rome

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As a Roman Polytheist, I have pondered Lupa, the She-Wolf of Rome. When the Divine Twins, Romulus and Remus, were cast adrift as newborns, She saved them. At her cave (the Lupercal), She nursed Romulus and Remus until foster parents could be found. An enduring symbol of Rome, Lupa was featured on coins. Moreover, her nursing of Romulus and Remus was celebrated in statues.

 

In her book “Lupa” (Note 1), Rachel Roberts traces the She-Wolf from Etruscan times to the modern era. She writes that her book is partially Unverified Personal Gnosis (UPG) and partially research. (Note 2) For example, the book features the retelling of Founding of Rome from Lupa’s point of view. Reading Roberts’ intriguing ideas sparked my investigation of Lupa as a Goddess of Rome.

 

Reading alternative points of view helps to broaden my perspective. Roberts’ writings prompted me to ponder Lupa’s influence on Rome and the Roman character. Sifting through the myths and festivals, She emerges as a central Goddess of Rome. The Lupercalia, celebrated every February, includes honoring her role in the Founding of Rome. Meanwhile, Mars, as the Defender of the Fields, has Her as His Companion. Moreover, Cicero, the noted statesman, called Lupa, “The Nurse of Roman Dominion” in his “De Divinatione.” (Note 3)

 

Romans featured Lupa as the Protector of the City on their coins. They also used wolf fat as a talisman against bad spirits. A new bride would smear wolf fat on the threshold of her new home before crossing it. Meanwhile, Roman parents would ask Lupa to protect their sons as they matured into men.

 

Roberts lists Lupa’s attributes as

Goddess of the Threshold

Goddess of Growth (Note 4)

Goddess of Transformation and Transmutation (Note 5)

Goddess of Courage

Protector and Guardian

Mother of Destiny

Guide, Guardian and Protector

 

Reading Roberts’ book had me take a second look at Lupa and Roman Gods in general. The first known Gods of the Romans were not thought of as human but as their essences. Vesta is the Living Flame, Tiber, the Life-Giving River, and Fascinus, the Winged Penis. Because of this, I need to remind myself that Roman Gods take many forms. For me, Lupa moved out of the shadows into the light. Now, I see Her as an important Goddess.

 

Salve Lupa, She-Wolf!

Nurse of Romulus and Remus

Protector of the Divine Twins

Guardian of the Eternal City

You have been Rome from the Founding

 

Hidden from view

May we see You in the shadows

May we honor You

Salve Lupa, She-Wolf!

 

Notes

Note 1. “Pagan Portals: Lupa: She Wolf of Rome and Mother of Destiny.” Moon Books. 2023.

 

Note 2. The Founder of “Wolf Woman Rising,” Roberts has a cultus to the Grand Mother Wolf.

 

Note 3. Cicero wrote, “the nurse of Roman dominion, suckling with life-giving dew that issues from udders distended, struck by lightning, she toppled to the earth, bringing with her the children, torn from her station as she left the prints of her feet in descending.”

 

Note 4. As the Goddess Luperca, Lupa promotes fertility.

 

Note 5. Roberts cites Lupa as the One who is charged with ensuring that the Divine Twins become men, and later Romulus receive the kingship.