Category: Roman Mythology

FORTUNA – LADY LUCK; SHE WHO BRINGS Fortuna may originally have been an Etruscan or Latin goddess. When the Romans encountered her, they too fell…

Fauna is the goddess of wildlife, forests, and fertility. She is Faunus’ daughter and among those spirits who possessed Mysteries, meaning that while certain of…

Venus was originally the Italian goddess of fertile soil, the presiding spirit of the vegetable garden. She was a rustic garden goddess with a relatively…

Bona Dea literally means the “good goddess” and refers to female spirits exclusively venerated by women. Because these were Mystery traditions from which men were…

Jupiter is the supreme deity of Rome, Lord of Light and ruler of the daytime. Jupiter was considered the head of the Roman pantheon; the…

Juno – Queen of Heaven Juno is the Queen of the Roman region. She is an ancient spirit who preceded the Romans in the area;…

Bellona, Goddess of War and Conquest, was once extremely popular with Roman soldiers. Roman senate meetings pertaining to foreign wars were conducted in Bellona’s temple…

Minerva In Roman mythology, ancient Italian goddess of wisdom and the arts and sciences; the Romans equated Minerva with the Greek goddess Athena. Minerva had…

Mercury is a trickster spirit who is happy to masquerade as other spirits. Long ago the Italian deity Mercury was syncretized to Greek Hermes. The…

Mater Matuta is the goddess of the dawn light but also has dominion over infants and sea travel. Her festival incorporated elaborate theatrical rituals enacted…