opinions, please?
Feb. 5th, 2006 11:07 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
jademermaidLupercalia 2006
No sexual activity is permitted prior to the rite. The performer of the rite does not break her fast prior to performing the rite (if celebrated at sunrise); only a little tea or coffee is permitted.
1. Introduction(Jill)
Welcome to the Lupercalia, hosted by Mondiano Sorelle, and our Gens, or family brother, Patrick. Let’s get started with the traditional race, run by Justin and Zac, and started by Cheyenne. After that we will head into the shelter to start the ritual. Io Lupercalia!
2. Procession (Justin, Zac, Cheyenne)
Race around border of shelter. Prize for winner. Cheyenne starting bell.
3. Purpose (Jill)
Today we celebrate the Lupercalia, the purifying ritual of ancient Rome. The rite you are going to see may seem strange at first, but we hope you have come with an open mind. Our Gens brother Patrick will be performing the ancient ritual of the Lupercal, the cave of the She-Wolf. In this ritual, which usually involved the sacrifice of a dog and a ram, the priest uses the blood of both to purify the two young boys representing Romulus and Remus. Today we will be substituting a blood sacrifice with a burnt one, since we are not ready to attempt animal sacrifice, especially for a public rite. The wool used to wipe away the blood is likely a representation of the flock and the entire ritual is one of both purification and fertility. The laughter is expected! Join in! So let’s get started!
4. Opening Prayers (Rose and Cheyenne)
Before the rite the Priestess washes her hands (having also previously bathed or showered beforehand) while saying the prayer for ablution. She wears a clean white chiton. Draped in her chiton she veils her head (Capite Velato) in preparation for the rite. This is done to prevent her from seeing any ill omens during the performance of the rite. The ritual presented below assumes the Lararium is to the North. When (adoratio) is indicated, one raises the right hand to the lips, kisses the fingertips of the right hand, and then extends the hand out in offering. The body should also be swung (twisted) once, left to right, so that the hand is moved sideways in a "general offering" motion. Whenever the burning of incense is indicated, frankincense would be quite appropriate.
Facing north the Priestess lights the Lucerna (sacred lamp or candle) and burns some preliminary incense in the turibulum (a metal bowl in which incense etc. may be burned) designated for "incense only" in front of the Lararium before the rite in order to purify the place. The Priestess incenses herself also. She lights the charcoal in the other turibulum.
In front of the Lararium the Priestess calms her breathing, and meditates silently for a moment to "center" herself.
"Be well, Father Janus, keeper of the doorway to heaven. (adoratio). Let me (touch the right hand to the breast) behold in person the shining Gods."
Incense is then burned in the turibulum to Janus. The Priestess faces north.
"It is so!"
"Be well, Jupiter Optimus Maximus (adoratio). I pray that you oversee this rite and guide us on the right path.
Wine is then burned in the turibulum to Jupiter Optimus Maximus, King of the Gods.
"It is so!"
"Be well, Juno (adoratio). I pray that you might give to me (the breast is touched with the right hand) and to those gathered good health and happiness."
Incense is offered to Juno, the Queen of heaven.
"It is so!"
The Priestess faces east.
"Be well, Sulis Minerva, goddess of healing. Be well, Pan-Apollo, he of the golden sun. Be well Hecate, Goddess of the Crossroads-these are the patron gods of Gens Galeria, our family. I pray that you all shine upon us, and (the breast is touched with the right hand) place this incense before you."
Wine and Incense is then burned in the turibulum to the patron Gods and Goddesses of the Gens.
"It is so!"
The Priestess faces north.
"Be well, family Lares (adoratio). Be well, Penates (adoratio).
Incense is then burned in the turibulum to the Lares and Penates
"It is so!"
Be well, Mother Vesta (adoratio). With a pure heart, I (the breast is touched with the right hand) put before you this loaf of bread and pray that you all bring good health and happiness to me, and to those gathered here."
A small piece bread sprinkled with drops of honey is offered.
"It is so!
5. Invocation to the main Diety. (Jill)
Faunus Lupercus, God of the wild
We honor you,
Delighted by shady groves,
dancer under the stars
you rule the seasons.
Shepherd of goats,
giver of milk, meat and skin,
your horns sprouted
and the world began.
Inspire us
with dance and song.
Protect us from fear.
Faunus Lupercus,
obscure as the deepest cave,
subtle as a snake
wise as a wolf
Protect and care for us.
Dance with us.
Grace us.
Lift us,
come near,
excite us.
6. Sacrifice and Omen(Patrick)
Priest washes his hands.
May this water purify me, as rain cleanses the air.
The ram is consecrated with mola salsa along the back, sprinkles wine on its forehead and slides the knife along it’s spine.
The Priest, aided by the boys, takes the ram to the fire.
Father Lupercus, accept this offering from us, your people. May you be rightly honored and bring your blessings to us.
Let it burn for a minute or two, go back to table with boys. Using knife, dip in wine and touch to each boys forehead, to each:
This blood purifies you.
Take the wool, dip in milk. Wipe away the wine on each, and in turn:
This milk blesses you with fertility.
BOYS LAUGH!!!!
Everyone Laughs!!!
(Jill) Now it is time for the boys to share the blessing with you all. It is customary for women to hold out their hands, palms up, or even offer their backs to be stroked or whipped. This is voluntary, and should be fun—and doesn’t mean you want to have children! It is more about purifying yourself and your land, and being fertile in all things.
(Whippings all around!!)
7. Closing (Rose and Cheyenne)
"Father Jupiter and all summoned Gods, if anything was displeasing to you in this ritual,(the breast is touched with the right hand) Now receive rite of atonement."
Incense is then burned in the turibulum as a piaculum (atonement) to Ivppiter and to all the Gods in the event that something had been wrong or for any unintentional mistakes in the rite.
“It is so!”
The Priestess turns south in a clockwise direction, assumes the adoratio posture, and a closing prayer is spoken.
"May (the breast is touched with the right hand and outward), all those gathered here have what is goodly, auspicious, fruitful, fortunate, and wholesome. It is so!"
The Priestess facing north once more at the Lararium, touching the altar.
“Io Lupercalia!”
"Be at rest and at peace--All may leave!"
The adoratio posture is once more assumed, turning the body from right to left as it is done. The flame of the Lucerna or candle is extinguished. The rite is ended.
No sexual activity is permitted prior to the rite. The performer of the rite does not break her fast prior to performing the rite (if celebrated at sunrise); only a little tea or coffee is permitted.
1. Introduction(Jill)
Welcome to the Lupercalia, hosted by Mondiano Sorelle, and our Gens, or family brother, Patrick. Let’s get started with the traditional race, run by Justin and Zac, and started by Cheyenne. After that we will head into the shelter to start the ritual. Io Lupercalia!
2. Procession (Justin, Zac, Cheyenne)
Race around border of shelter. Prize for winner. Cheyenne starting bell.
3. Purpose (Jill)
Today we celebrate the Lupercalia, the purifying ritual of ancient Rome. The rite you are going to see may seem strange at first, but we hope you have come with an open mind. Our Gens brother Patrick will be performing the ancient ritual of the Lupercal, the cave of the She-Wolf. In this ritual, which usually involved the sacrifice of a dog and a ram, the priest uses the blood of both to purify the two young boys representing Romulus and Remus. Today we will be substituting a blood sacrifice with a burnt one, since we are not ready to attempt animal sacrifice, especially for a public rite. The wool used to wipe away the blood is likely a representation of the flock and the entire ritual is one of both purification and fertility. The laughter is expected! Join in! So let’s get started!
4. Opening Prayers (Rose and Cheyenne)
Before the rite the Priestess washes her hands (having also previously bathed or showered beforehand) while saying the prayer for ablution. She wears a clean white chiton. Draped in her chiton she veils her head (Capite Velato) in preparation for the rite. This is done to prevent her from seeing any ill omens during the performance of the rite. The ritual presented below assumes the Lararium is to the North. When (adoratio) is indicated, one raises the right hand to the lips, kisses the fingertips of the right hand, and then extends the hand out in offering. The body should also be swung (twisted) once, left to right, so that the hand is moved sideways in a "general offering" motion. Whenever the burning of incense is indicated, frankincense would be quite appropriate.
Facing north the Priestess lights the Lucerna (sacred lamp or candle) and burns some preliminary incense in the turibulum (a metal bowl in which incense etc. may be burned) designated for "incense only" in front of the Lararium before the rite in order to purify the place. The Priestess incenses herself also. She lights the charcoal in the other turibulum.
In front of the Lararium the Priestess calms her breathing, and meditates silently for a moment to "center" herself.
"Be well, Father Janus, keeper of the doorway to heaven. (adoratio). Let me (touch the right hand to the breast) behold in person the shining Gods."
Incense is then burned in the turibulum to Janus. The Priestess faces north.
"It is so!"
"Be well, Jupiter Optimus Maximus (adoratio). I pray that you oversee this rite and guide us on the right path.
Wine is then burned in the turibulum to Jupiter Optimus Maximus, King of the Gods.
"It is so!"
"Be well, Juno (adoratio). I pray that you might give to me (the breast is touched with the right hand) and to those gathered good health and happiness."
Incense is offered to Juno, the Queen of heaven.
"It is so!"
The Priestess faces east.
"Be well, Sulis Minerva, goddess of healing. Be well, Pan-Apollo, he of the golden sun. Be well Hecate, Goddess of the Crossroads-these are the patron gods of Gens Galeria, our family. I pray that you all shine upon us, and (the breast is touched with the right hand) place this incense before you."
Wine and Incense is then burned in the turibulum to the patron Gods and Goddesses of the Gens.
"It is so!"
The Priestess faces north.
"Be well, family Lares (adoratio). Be well, Penates (adoratio).
Incense is then burned in the turibulum to the Lares and Penates
"It is so!"
Be well, Mother Vesta (adoratio). With a pure heart, I (the breast is touched with the right hand) put before you this loaf of bread and pray that you all bring good health and happiness to me, and to those gathered here."
A small piece bread sprinkled with drops of honey is offered.
"It is so!
5. Invocation to the main Diety. (Jill)
Faunus Lupercus, God of the wild
We honor you,
Delighted by shady groves,
dancer under the stars
you rule the seasons.
Shepherd of goats,
giver of milk, meat and skin,
your horns sprouted
and the world began.
Inspire us
with dance and song.
Protect us from fear.
Faunus Lupercus,
obscure as the deepest cave,
subtle as a snake
wise as a wolf
Protect and care for us.
Dance with us.
Grace us.
Lift us,
come near,
excite us.
6. Sacrifice and Omen(Patrick)
Priest washes his hands.
May this water purify me, as rain cleanses the air.
The ram is consecrated with mola salsa along the back, sprinkles wine on its forehead and slides the knife along it’s spine.
The Priest, aided by the boys, takes the ram to the fire.
Father Lupercus, accept this offering from us, your people. May you be rightly honored and bring your blessings to us.
Let it burn for a minute or two, go back to table with boys. Using knife, dip in wine and touch to each boys forehead, to each:
This blood purifies you.
Take the wool, dip in milk. Wipe away the wine on each, and in turn:
This milk blesses you with fertility.
BOYS LAUGH!!!!
Everyone Laughs!!!
(Jill) Now it is time for the boys to share the blessing with you all. It is customary for women to hold out their hands, palms up, or even offer their backs to be stroked or whipped. This is voluntary, and should be fun—and doesn’t mean you want to have children! It is more about purifying yourself and your land, and being fertile in all things.
(Whippings all around!!)
7. Closing (Rose and Cheyenne)
"Father Jupiter and all summoned Gods, if anything was displeasing to you in this ritual,(the breast is touched with the right hand) Now receive rite of atonement."
Incense is then burned in the turibulum as a piaculum (atonement) to Ivppiter and to all the Gods in the event that something had been wrong or for any unintentional mistakes in the rite.
“It is so!”
The Priestess turns south in a clockwise direction, assumes the adoratio posture, and a closing prayer is spoken.
"May (the breast is touched with the right hand and outward), all those gathered here have what is goodly, auspicious, fruitful, fortunate, and wholesome. It is so!"
The Priestess facing north once more at the Lararium, touching the altar.
“Io Lupercalia!”
"Be at rest and at peace--All may leave!"
The adoratio posture is once more assumed, turning the body from right to left as it is done. The flame of the Lucerna or candle is extinguished. The rite is ended.
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 2006-02-06 05:41 am (UTC)Are you doing this instead of Quirinalia (sp?)?
no subject
Date: 2006-02-06 10:43 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-02-06 01:44 pm (UTC)I don't know if I've told you yet, but I love reading the write-ups on your celebrations and rituals.
no subject
Date: 2006-02-06 05:05 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-02-06 03:59 pm (UTC)I don't know how many women will be willing to be whipped by a couple of 15 year old boys, but it's a great public adaptation. I like the wine substituting for blood especially. Would you mind if I did something Roman for the feast? Do you need me to bring anything, like tiki torches for light?
I'm praying for a balmy clear evening for you!
no subject
Date: 2006-02-06 04:08 pm (UTC)Yes, we need tikis, Roman food is fine, but keep it simple, cheeses, olives, bread, grape juice and wine. If you could pick up a big can of dolmas that would be great! Are you wanting to make something hot? Roast chicken or pork is always good.
no subject
Date: 2006-02-06 04:39 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-02-06 05:01 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-02-06 10:19 pm (UTC)I was going to find something here:
http://www.cs.cmu.edu/~mjw/recipes/ethnic/historical/ant-rom-coll.html#13
no subject
Date: 2006-02-07 02:27 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-02-07 01:46 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-10-09 10:07 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-10-09 10:48 pm (UTC)