Feast of the Capitoline Triad (Jupiter, Juno and Minerva)

September 13

(Roman) Ancient: Id. Sept. (full moon).
The Ides (full moon) of every month are sacred to Jupiter, as the Kalends (new moon) are to Juno. This day is an Epulum (feast) for the Capitoline Triad (Jupiter, Juno and Minerva), so statues of the three deities are present, dressed in festal robes, and represent Their attendance at the feast. The face of Jupiter’s image is reddened with minium (red lead) and He reclines on a lectulus (couch); Juno and Minerva sit on sellae (chairs).

The feast begins with a sacrifice to Jove (in ancient times it might have been a white heifer, since Jupiter and Juno prefer white sacrifices), at which mola salsa (salt meal) made by the Vestal Virgins is used (see “Neoclassical Sacrifice” in The Lyre #3 for more on the mola). The Vestals’ mola salsa, which is made from the first ears of the previous harvest, is used at only two other times (Vestalia, Jun. 9, and Lupercalia, Feb. 15). For the feast proper, tables of food are set before the images of the Gods and music accompanies the festivities.

Although September is under the protection of Vulcan, most of the honor goes to Jupiter. The Ludi (Games) both proceed and follow the Feast for the Capitoline Triad (in ancient times the Ludi lasted Sept. 5–19).. There are races, wrestling, parades and performances of various sorts. [SFR 23, 183–7]