The Pagan Heart
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February 2005 Issue
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Juno Februa
By Iphigeneia Pallas
February is the month of Juno Februa - that is, the Roman goddess, Juno, in her aspect as the patroness of marriage and purification merged with the older goddess, Februa, mother of Mars. It is also the month of the Lupercalia - an intriguing fertility and purification rite whose origins are long lost. Juno's festival (on the 13-14th) leads up to the Lupercalia, preparing the way, so to speak. It symbolises the transition from the sluggish nature of late winter to the awakening fertility of spring - and the sexuality that goes with that. The very name, Februa, refers to the febrile nature that overtakes those caught in the throes of lust and love. Feverish Juno, indeed. I read in a few places references to the orgiastic rites of Juno Februa, which caught my interest. So often Juno is painted as a stern, restrained and non-sexual goddess, yet to hold the power she does, induce the fear and veneration she does and produce the children she did, she has to have been something more than the typical late Republican matron of literature. It's tidbits like the term "orgiastic rites" that point to the older, powerful deity slumbering lightly beneath the mask of modern understanding. And indeed, anyone who has worked with Juno knows she is indeed powerful and passionate. I prefer to think of Juno as one of the Great Goddesses - up there with Ishtar, Aphrodite, Artemis, Aset and Hathor. Confident and sexual in nature at times, she is also disciplined and patient - and these later traits led to the foolish assumption that she was some milksop of a god. But seriously, any god capable of making Jupiter lie and conceal his actions from fear of her wrath, well...think about it. To venerate Juno roast spelt and pour it out across the entrance to your home, then sprinkle salt atop it. Light candles about the house to bring her presence into your home and drive away the negative influences and evil spirits. For the younger people, baking barley cakes and offering them to her (leave outside somewhere accessible to the wild animals), is a suitable activity. Those seeking love should sleep with five bay leaves beneath their pillow to encourage dreams of their future lover. If you already have a lover, take him or her to bed to worship Juno in the most elemental of fashions. |
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