Angerona

Angerona

Diva Angerona

Rome

Feast:

21 December

Angerona, primordial goddess of the Roman region, is the spirit of silence and secrets, and so perhaps it is appropriate that she is now veiled in mystery. She is Rome’s protectress; the guardian of its secret name, which could not be publicly revealed or even uttered aloud lest enemies learn it and gain power over the city. (Some suggest that Rome’s true name is that of this goddess.) Angerona is also a painkiller, relieving physical, emotional, and psychic suffering. She communicates telepathically.

ICONOGRAPHY:

Her classical image depicts a woman with a bandage across her mouth, holding her finger to her lips indicating the need for silence. Historically, many have found it a disturbing image: more Romantic versions delete the bandage. (Modern, harder-edged devotees might substitute duct tape.)

Day:

Her festival, the Angeronalia, also known as the Divalia, was celebrated on 21 December, and so she is sometimes described as the spirit of the Winter Solstice, but in Roman days, before calendar reform, the Winter Solstice occurred on 13 December.

Spirit allies:

Official sacrifices to Angerona were offered in the Temple of Voluptas, where Angerona’s votive statue was kept.

• Voluptas

SOURCE:

Encyclopedia of Spirits: The Ultimate Guide to the Magic of Fairies, Genies, Demons, Ghosts, Gods & Goddesses– Written by Judika Illes Copyright © 2009 by Judika Illes.