October represents the last month in the active sacred year: it symbolizes a
period of intense spirituality. During this period Nature tends to a
phase of cyclical death.
I dedicate this month to the Goddess Pomona, the sacralization of
Fruits and Harvests, because this is a period of harvests (grapes,
olives, etc.) and because we give thanks to Nature for what it has been
harvested during summer.
October in the past was characterized by many important festivities:
first of all the Ludi Augustales (7 - 13) and the Ludi
Capitolini (15). The former were related to the Emperor Augustus
who become "Divus" (in a next post I will analyze the concept of "Divus"
distinct from the concept of "Deus").
Ludi Capitolini were related to the chasing away of the Gauls from the Capitol. It's important to note that these festivities were celebrated with Ludi or rituals linked to the Goddess Vittoria.
The complex ritual of the celebration of the October Equus cannot
be described here.
On October 10th Meditrinalia were celebrated: Meditrinalia were "curative" rituals during which new wine was used during a libatio expressing the following formula: "novum vinum libo, novo veteri morbo medeor" (I make this libatio with new wine to cure old diseases with the "new")
On October 12th the ancient festivity of Fontinalia is celebrated - the festivity of "underground and invisible springs". This festivity is dedicated to Fons/Fontus (son/daughter of Janus) and it is linked to springs and wells where invisible waters become visible. Springs, fountains and wells are decorated with wreaths and flowers are put in the rivers.
October 15th: October Equus.
On October 19th Armilustrium was celebrated: swords, shields and spears were purified and closed in the Temple of Mars after the end of the military year (which begins on march the 9th).
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