March 1st was the lunar calendar's New Year's Day, and may have also been Mars' birthday. The festival of Quinquatrus (named for its length of five consecutive days) commenced on 19 March when the ancilia of the Salii and the weapons of the whole army were purified. On 23 March, the Romans venerated Mars during the Tubilustrium, a cleansing ceremony for the trumpets used in sacred rites and the instruments of the entire army. A subsequent purification rite was performed on 19 October during the Armilustrium, and the Salii, commemorating the return of the legions in the fall, made their final procession through the streets of Rome. It signified the end of the military campaign season when arma (arms) and ancilia were purified and laid to rest for the winter.
HOW DO WE RELATE TO MARS TODAY?
Mars is still the essence of the god from antiquity. He is still the captivating aggressor, the rouser, and the protagonist of destiny; breathtakingly candid in His purpose and deliberate in His bounty. Mars personifies a vigorous energy that carries with it its own reproductive weight, immersed in singular ambition, and seldom outdone. He is the quintessential model of male sexuality; the catalyst for creation Who leaves little doubt that our perpetuation is imminent and our survival inevitable. Yet His artful passion is lucid; a flowing expression steeped in honorific intent and delivered with remarkably unbiased conveyance. The expression of our basic needs remains the one true constant among all living beings. When we peel back the layers of aspirations and ideals, we reach the crux of the human race with uncanny fidelity; the instinctual drives that have served us so well. It is here, at this center that we find Mars, ceaselessly reminding us that no matter how far we venture from this place, the road back is always nearer than we realize.
HOW DO WE HONOR MARS TODAY?
Mars represents the instinctive nature still evident in all species: that of survival and protection. In antiquity, Mars' reigning aspects were interwoven into a society that understood a definable application of pursuit and preservation. The Romans recognized the necessity of this sequence as the occurring truth behind any deliberate progress. These enduring principles are at the very heart of Perpituitas (see Virtues page); qualities attributed to our role as the caretakers of our posterity. In His warrior aspect we associate Mars with iron, but an iron will is of the same caliber. Protection has always been our gift to those we love, and a duty to ourselves. Though we no longer spend our days in the fields, the fruits of our labors still determine the quality of our life.
Pray to Mars when you need to shift into another gear, to bring your purpose from wishful pondering to fruition and culmination. Look to Mars when your spirit needs reawakening and you find yourself lost in the cycle of delay, needing to summon up the courage to act. When the mundane begins to chisel your determination into quiet resignation, let Mars hear your call to arms. His still powerful voice speaks volumes to all who listen. Mars continues to provoke and ignite while craftily providing us with His earthly wisdom; those universal gifts of our own nature which allow us to fully embrace our life's experience and remain secure in our duration.
ASPECTS:
* - He that walks in battle
* - Unconquered Mars
* - Mars the Father
*" Silvanus, Mars "- Mars the Avenger
MAIN FESTIVALS:
* Febuary 27 and March 14 - "- FESTIVAL OF HORSE RACING
* March 1 -" of Mars "- ROMAN NEW YEAR AND BIRTHDAY OF MARS
* March 19 - "- WEAPONS OF THE WHOLE ARMY WERE PURIFIED
* March 23 and May 23 -" - C LEANSING CEREMONY FOR THE TRUMPETS USED IN SACRED RITES AND THE INSTRUMENTS OF THE ENTIRE ARMY
* May 14 -" of Mars "* October 15 - * October 19 - "- COMMEMORATING THE RETURN OF THE LEGIONS IN THE FALL
MONTHS SACRED TO MARS:
* March
* October
OFFERINGS:
* Laurel,
* wine,
* spelt cakes,
* bacon fat,
* meat
COMMON PRAYERS TO MARS IN ANTIQUITY WERE FOR:
* Agricultural fertility,
* prevention of diseases and bad water,
* safety of shepherds and flocks,
* health
Source: Religioromana
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