Hail Mars!
Hail Minerva!
Hail Mars!
Hail Nerio!
Hail Mars!
We lustrate today our amulets and talismans of protection!
May we proceed forth through this year in safety and divine guardianship!
May our crops grow and our livestock augment!
May we have the nourishment to serve divine ideals and protect both community and environment!
May we honour the abundance of nature that embraces us!
May we be vigilant under the blessing of the sacred ones!
Salve Marte!
Salve Minerva!
Salve Marte!
Salve Nerio!
Salve Marte!

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On the Quinquatrus, named for being the fifth day after the Ides (and, in Roman fashion, counting both ends), the sacred ancilia or talismanic shields of Rome that have been borne by the Salli or leaping priests since the beginning of the month are lustrated. Most likely this purification was accomplished by the Salii leaping now around the shields in a special ceremony. This festival is feriae Marti and associated with the protecting and agricultural deity after whom the month itself is named.

Though not original to the Numan formulation but through calendrical additamenta or subsequent notation, this holiday became further known eventually as feriae Minervae. The goddess Minerva is sometimes confused or identified with the goddess Nerio, a female personification of Mars’ masculinity. Temples to Minerva on the Aventine and Caelian hills were dedicated on this day.