The Pagan Heart
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September-October 2005 Issue
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The Meditrinalia
By Iphegenia and Catherine M.
"Octobri mense Meditrinalia dies dictus a medendo, quod Flaccus flamen Martialis dicebat hoc die solitum vinum novum et vetus libari et degustari medicamenti causa; quod facere solent etiam nunc multi cum dicunt: 'Novum vetus vinum bibo: novo veteri morbo medeor'." "The day of the Meditrinalia in month October was named from 'mederi' (to be healed), as Flamen Martialis Flaccus used to say that on this day it was the custom to make a libation of new and old wine and to taste it in order to be healed. Many are accustomed to do this even now when they say: 'Wine new and old I drink, of illness new and old I'm cured.'" Varro [De Lingua Latina, 6.21] I made the error of mentioning last issue that I was considering including the Meditrinalia in my personal observations next year. As a result, the Division Editor pounced on this and suggested I should research the topic and make my discoveries public in time for this issue. The gods have their little jokes. I now have the information I need, a week or so after the festival ended. So I will indeed be celebrating this next year. In the meantime, here is what I discovered. The Roman festival of the Meditrinalia falls on 5 Idus October (or in modern speech, 11th of October). The name is derived from the root word 'mederi' which means "to heal" and this seems to be a principle feature of the festival, as evidenced by the Varro quote. The Fasti indicates it was probably held in honour of Jupiter specifically, the gods in general - a day to imbibe the mustum (new wine) and offer up libations to the gods. Celebratory indeed! In later days the festival came to be attributed to the goddess Meditrina, but research indicates she was probably a later creation/addition rather than the originator. This is a wonderful way to end the harvest season, I think. And a sensible way to begin winter - what better way to guarantee good health through the cold months than by drinking wine? Without further chatter, here is a recreated, simple yet formal ritual you can perform as you celebrate the Meditrinalia. Afterwards, history suggests you spend the next few days enjoying various wines. I leave that to your discretion! Offering a Libation to Jupiter and the gods on the Meditrinalia If possible, perform this ritual with two or more people. Designate one as the officiant (who will perform the sacrifice) and the other as the assistant. If there are more people they can all be given assisstant roles. The assistant begins by preparing a portion of wine and an equal portion of grape juice - Varro's new wine is in all likelihood "mustum" or unfermented grape juice fresh from the pressing. I would recommend that you use red for both. Place these alongside a wine jug on a platter. These are the most important elements to the ritual and must not be ignored. The other items required are "crusta mellei" (honey cakes), the platter of wines, both a pitcher and a bowl of water, spelt flour, incense, and fresh rosemary sprigs. The officiant should mark out the sacred space into which the gods will be invited and honoured. Use corner posts (or stools/chairs) to mark the corners and white wool to delineate the walls. Set unlit oil lamps (or candles) at the corners and on the "mensa" (offering table). Roman sacrifice always involves a fire - if you cannot have one, use a large candle such as the 9 or 12 inch pillar with multiple wicks. This should by placed towards the centre. Before it stands the mensa. At this point invite the assistants into the sacred space. Moving in orderly fashion they should reverently place the various items upon the mensa and then stand back and wait. The officiant covers his/her head in honour of the gods - use a simple cloth or veil. One of the assistants now offers up the first prayer while lighting the oil lamps, incense, and fire. You could have a number of them perform this act and recite together: "So does the lively flame thrive, whether a little earthen bowl feed the thirsty linen wick, or pinewood that lends its pitch.. Accept, Divine One, I pray, the light which I offer you." (prayer courtesy of Religio Romana) An assistant picks up the bowl of spelt and prays "Liber Pater, grant us your favour! We who are come to your sacred rite in your service now open our lips." (prayer courtesy of Religio Romana) This is followed with the purification of all - dip the rosemary sprig in the bowl of water and shake it over the sacred space and attendants, scatter some of the spelt about the floor, and cense the group with the incense. The officiant washes his/her hands, dries them, pours the wines together, and mixes them with water. This is then offered to Jupiter through a libation with the following prayer: "Be you god or goddess who has the tutelage of the Meditrinalia, for sake of this shall you be honoured by this wine new and old, which I pour in libation." (Prayer courtesy of Nova Roma). The officiant then takes a drink, saying, "As I drink of this wine old and new, so of all ills old and new may I be healed. " (Prayer courtesy of Religio Romana). The wine is passed about the group for all to drink and recite likewise. The officiant takes up a honey cake and says, "Bacchus enjoys honey, and it is right that we give its discoverer honey cakes." (Prayer courtesy of Religio Romana). A portion of the crusta Mellei is burnt in the fire and the remainder offered to the attendants, saying, "So may the fruits of Autumn be sweet to us" (Prayer courtesy of Religio Romana). Take a moment to offer silent prayers to the gods and your patron. Make further libations as necessary before ending the ritual. I found this ritual to be a very apt one for research this month. My family has been struck low with various colds - and I am still unwell. Much of my own illness is through stress and exhaustion - I need renewal and rest. This festival reminded me that I need to sit back and let the old and new demands in my life mix in equal portions, and then water it down before I drink. That I need to offer up my cares as well as my joys to the gods, trust in them and myself, and let myself be healed. Although the festival itself has passed, I think I might include a small element of this in my weekly glass of wine. Tonight I will sit back with a nice glass of merlot and some grape juice, blend up a libation and pour it out in a private offering to my patron. And then, as I sip, I shall recite, "Vetus novum vinum bibo, novo veteri morbo medeor." (As I drink of this wine old and new, so of all ills old and new may I be healed). For those interested in futher research on this topic, or other Roman festivals, Nova Roma and Religio Romana have a lot of well-researched and indepth material on offer. I am indebted to them as inspirations for the ritual about. Religio Romana also has an interesting paper on sacrifice Roman-style.
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Primary Article - Samhaine
Secondary Article - Festival of Willows in honour of Astarte
Secondary Article - Holy Day: Samhaine
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