Hail Jupiter!
We honour our lord of light as we now enter the last days of ascending light.
May we be free to cherish these golden times of luminosity!
And may we thank for the summer beauty that surrounds us!
Hail too to Minerva!
We honour the virgin goddess.
Salve Iuppiter!
Salve Minerva!

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The Ides of June culminate the feriae of the month. Henceforth, though the Roman is fully cognizant of the approaching midsummer’s solstice, he/she ritually ignores it – mimetically assuring that the ascent of light does not end. Consequently, the Ides which are always sacred to Jupiter as the sovereign embodiment of light and divinity constitute the pre-celebration of the solar culmination.

In time, the goddess Minerva became associated with this day as well. This probably stems from Minerva’s identification with the Greek Athena and the preceding festivals to the virgin Vesta and chaste Matuta. At this time, the guild of flute players (the collegium tibicinum), wearing masks, held a banquet or epulum in the temple of Jupiter Capitolinus. The tibia or flute was used in temple services, during the games (ludi) and for funerals.