March 1
Roman New Year, Kalends of March, Matronalia
Let us not look back in anger, or forward in fear, but around in awareness.
–James Thurber
The Kalends, or the first day of the month, was sacred to Juno, especially the first day of the month of March. This was originally the beginning of the Roman year, still marked in classical times by the tending of the sacred fire of the Goddess Vesta and the affixing of fresh laurels to the Regia (the home of the pontifex maximus).
The first day of March also marked the Matronalia, a festival held in honor of women, and the founding of the temple of Juno Lucina. In the home, prayers were offered for prosperous wedlock, and the women of the household received presents from the men. In addition, all female slaves were given the day off and the head of the house would wait on them.
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