Hail Jupiter!
Hail Tellus!
Hail Ceres!
Once again we honour the lord of light
But this time too
Our earth mother and goddess of nourishment.
Be with us at all times
And accept our homage that is born from gratitude!
Salve Iuppiter!
Salve Tellus!
Salve Ceres!

 

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On the Ides of December, a lectisterum or sacred meal was held in honour of Ceres. A temple to Tellus was dedicated on the Carinae. While the Ides in the Roman calendar were originally the day of the full moon, the Latin yule is solar oriented rather than lunar. Consequently, when the solar and lunar calendars were combined, the Ides took precedence in the day’s naming. We can deduce, however, that originally the 13th of December was a feriae for the terra mater. This last is further suggested by the chthonian associations of the preceding festival through Quirinus and which are echoed by the other feriae of the yuletide. Nevertheless, in its final codification, the day has become a holiday to commemorate both the primal terrestrial goddess and her first offspring and consort, Tellus/Ceres and Jupiter.