Genius/Juno

What animates man? What makes man think and feel?

According to Traditional Roman Religion this function is sacralized by Genius (expression of male nature) and Juno (expresison of female nature).

Genius/Juno represent "personality" created at birth: they are a sort of guardians accompanying us throughout our life. The cult of Genius/Juno is a duty of the entire family: the festivity of Genius/Juno corresponds to the everyone's "Dies Natalis" from which it has derived the personal "birthday".

On human body Genius/Juno are ideally placed in the forehead: their symbol is the snake and this symbol links Genius/Juno to the Lares.

Genius/Juno give personality to man and other expressions of Genius/Juno give personality i.e. to sites as in the case of the Genius Loci. Genius Loci gives personality and identity to a specific place or site: he is the spirit of a place, its soul. It is thus essential to have the capability to acknowledge the presence of a Genius Loci in every place we are in, giving to him the necessary respect: nobody of us is owner of a place because we are only guests.

We must give respect for the places where we live or visit because we are called to give respect to the related Genius Loci.