Celebrating Other Spirituality 365 Days A Year – Vinalia Priora
April 23
Vinalia Priora
Vinalia Priora was one of the two major agricultural festivals held in Rome. It was held annually on April 23 and was connected with wine production. Vinalia is derived from vinum(wine). Originally held in honor of the God Jupiter, this festival later was connected with the Goddess Venus.
The wine casks filled in the previous Aautumn were opened, and the first draft of the new wine was offered as a libation to Jupiter. During this time outside the Porta Collina offerings were made to Venus from the female prostitutes of Roma.
Quick Woodruff Wine (for Beltane on April 30)
1 cup crushed woodruff leaves
½ gallon white wine (Almaden, Mountain Rhine)
1 tsp. sugar
2 cups fresh strawberries
In a small saucepan, bring 1 cup of the wine to a boil. Turn off the heat, and add the sugar and the crushed woodruff leaves. Cover and allow to steep for one hour. Add the mixture to the bottle of white wine. Cover and refrigerate for one week. Pour the wine into a large punch bowl and add the strawberries. You may also serve in individual wine glasses into which a strawberry has been added.
Witches Of The Craft® 