"BONA DEA", THE GOOD GODDESS, IS THE ROMAN GODDESS OF THE EARTH AND BOUNTIFUL BLESSINGS. SHE IS AS OLD AS ROMAN ITSELF. SHE IS THE SYMBOL OF HEALTH AND LIFE, ESSENTIALLY A GODDESS OF THE WOMEN'S MYSTERIES, SYMBOLIZING THEIR FERTILITY, HEALING, AND VIRGINITY. HER WORSHIP WAS SECRET, PERFORMED ONLY BY WOMEN, AND MEN WERE EVEN REQUIRED TO IGNORE HER NAME. THE "VESTAL VIRGINS" CARED FOR HER BECAUSE SHE HAD NO PRIESTESSES OF HER OWN.
IN ANCIENT TIMES, HER FESTIVAL, USUALLY HELD IN THE HOUSE OF THE OFFICIATING COUNSEL OF THE HOUSEHOLD, INCLUDED SELECTED MATRONS AND THE "VESTAL VIRGINS." SPECIAL CEREMONIES WERE ENACTED AT NIGHT FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE CITY AND ITS INHABITANTS. THE ROOM WHERE THE CEREMONIES TOOK PLACE WAS DECORATED WITH VINE BRANCHES AND FRESH FLOWERS.
BEFORE THE CEREMONY, ALL STATUES AND PAINTINGS OF MALE DEITIES AND MALE MEMBERS OF THE HOUSEHOLD WERE COVERED WITH VEILS, AND EVERY CORNER AND LURKING-PLACE WAS CAREFULLY SEARCHED; MALE ANIMALS OF EVERY KIND WERE DRIVEN AWAY. ALL BEING IN READINESS, THE "VESTAL VIRGINS" OFFERED THE CUSTOMARY SACRIFICES. WINE WAS SERVED BUT CALLED MILK AND THE COVERED JAR CONTAINING IT WAS REFERRED TO AS THE HONEY POT.
"BONA DEA! GRACIOUS MOTHER!" Low we worship at thy shrine.
Hear our prayers, oh Bona Dea, Goddess holy and divine!
While we heap upon thy altar, Bread and fruit, and flesh and wine.
Hear us, goddess, lest we die!
Hear us, goddess, lest we die!
"BONA DEA! GRANT US WOMEN"
"ALL OUR HEARTS ARE KEEN TO KNOW."
"Gracious mother! men are cruel,
We lie trampled, crushed and low! Bona Dea, be thou near us,
In our hours of bitter woe!
"HEAR US, GODDESS, LEST WE DIE!"
"HEAR US, GODDESS, LEST WE DIE!"
"--FROM CAESAR, A DRAMATIC STUDY: 1883 "
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