Liber ab Solemnitas (The Book of Holidays)^195
Quinctilis—July—Sacred to the god Jupiter
Quinctilis 1 Sacred to Felicitas.
Quinctilis 4 Sacred to Pax.
Quinctilis 6 Sacred to Fortuna. On this day the goddess Fortuna was honored by
women who were in their first marriage.
Quinctilis 7 Sacred to Pales, Juno and Consus.
Quinctilis 7 Ancillarum Feriae—Festival of Working Women. After Rome had been
sacked by the Gauls, the Romans were ordered to send out their women
for the amusement and entertainment of the standing army. A servant
girl named Philotis offered to the Citizens that she and the other serving
girls go in place of the men’s wives. They did, going to their captors
dressed as Roman’s finest women. Once their rapists fell asleep, they
disarmed them and signaled the Roman men to attack. The battle was
won and this day was set aside to forever honor the serving/common
woman. A modern interpretation of this can be had in honoring Rosy
the Riveter and other figures that represent women’s non-combative
role at time of war as one of the strengths of a fighting force or the
liberty of a nation.
Quinctilis 17 Sacred to Victoria and Honos.
Quinctilis 22 Sacred to Concordia.
Quinctilis 23 Neptunalia—Honoring Neptune. A festival in honor of Neptune in his
capacity as a Water god. His feast involved the quick construction of
temporary shields from the sun (huts) under which light feasts were had,
sacrifice was made, and much prayer for water was given in the hope
that he would see fit to bring water to the land to protect the crops from
the Summer sun.
Quinctilis 25 The Furrinalia—Honoring Furrina. A celebration similar to the
Neptunalia in its connection to water but celebrated at home. On this
day, the goddess Furrina, wife of Neptune, was honored in her capacity
of Earth Mother and protector of the natural springs that come from
the Earth.
Quinctilis 30 Sacred to Fortuna.Sextilis—August—Sacred to the goddess Ceres
Originally called Sextilis (sixth month) in keeping with the original view of the year starting
on the first day of March. It was renamed in honor of Augustus Caesar.Sextilis 1 Festival day of Ceres.
Sextilis 1 Sacred to Victoria.r WB Chap 10.p65 195 7/11/2003, 5:54 PM