Furina

Furina is the ancient and mysterious matron goddess of thieves and robbers. Her name derives from the same root word as “fortune.” Furina was not a forbidden or suppressed goddess venerated only by miscreants. She was officially incorporated into Roman state religion. Furina had her own annual festival. She had a priest, a temple, and a sacred grove on the Janiculum ridge alongside the Tiber’s west bank. (The site is now occupied by the Villa Sciarra.) Furina may have been associated with a spring in her grove. Some scholars theorize that she was originally a spirit of the watery depths.

ALSO KNOWN AS:

Furrina

ORIGIN:

Etruscan or Italian

FAVOURED PEOPLE:

Thieves, robbers

ELEMENT

Earth; possibly water

Time:

After dark

Feast:

The Furinalia was celebrated on 25 July.

The name Furina now applies to a genus of venomous Australian snakes.

SEE ALSO:

• Fortuna
• Laverna
• Roman Mythology

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.