The Vestalia June 7th June 15th

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"VESTA" WAS THE ROMAN "GODDESS" OF THE HEARTH AND HOME, AND ALTHOUGH SHE WAS FEATURED IN FEW MYTHS, SHE WAS STILL AN IMPORTANT MEMBER OF THE ROMAN PANTHEON. IN ANCIENT ROME, SHE WAS WORSHIPPED AS THE GODDESS OF FIRE. SHE WAS THE DAUGHTER OF "CYBELE" AND "SATURN", AND THE SISTER OF "JUNO, PLUTO, "AND "NEPTUNE". THE GODDESS "VESTA" WAS REPRESENTED IN A LONG FLOWING ROBE, WITH A VEIL ON HER HEAD, HOLDING IN ONE HAND A LAMP, AND IN THE OTHER A JAVELIN. THE ROMANS BELIEVED THAT "VESTA" RESIDED WITH EACH HOUSEHOLD'S FIREPLACE, ENSURING WARMTH AND COMFORT.

IN THE TEMPLE OF THIS GODDESS AT ROME, A SACRED FIRE WAS KEPT CONTINUALLY BURNING IN EARTHEN POTS SUSPENDED IN THE AIR, AND IF BY ANY MISFORTUNE IT BECAME EXTINGUISHED, ALL PUBLIC AND PRIVATE BUSINESS WAS INTERRUPTED UNTIL THEY HAD EXPIATED THE PRODIGY. THE "VESTAL VIRGINS", WHO HAD THE CARE OF THE FIRE, WERE CHOSEN OUT OF THE NOBLEST FAMILIES IN ROME : THEY CONTINUED IN THEIR CHARGE FOR 30 YEARS, AND ENJOYED VERY GREAT PRIVILEGES; BUT IF THEY VIOLATED THEIR VOW OF CHASTITY, THEY WERE BURIED ALIVE.

THE "VESTALIA", THE "FESTIVAL OF VESTA", WAS AN EIGHT-DAY FESTIVAL HELD ANNUALLY IN HER HONOR. IT WAS CELEBRATED EXCLUSIVELY BY WOMEN WHO WALKED BAREFOOTED IN PROCESSION TO THE TEMPLE OF THE GODDESS. BANQUETS WERE

MADE BEFORE THE HOUSES; AND MEATS WERE SENT TO THE VESTALS, TO BE OFFERED BY THEM TO THE GODDESS. BREAD WAS BAKED IN THE HEARTH AND BURIED IN THE HOT ASHES. GARLANDS WERE HUNG FROM THE NECKS OF THE DONKEYS WHO WERE USED TO TURN THE MILLS.

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