7-9 June
Vestalia, Festival of Vesta
Vestalia is the spirit of ancient Rome, abided in a flame that was kept flickering in the temple of Vesta-the hearth (heart) of the city and the royal palace. The fire was tended by six priestesses, considered to be the “king’s daughters,” who were chosen as children for their nobility and physical perfection. The priestesses or bestial Virgins were held in high regard and lived a life of affluence. However, their high position demanded discipline and compromise; they were required to remain celibate for their 30 years of service.
The festival of Vesta began on June 7. When the temple was opened to women, men were forbidden to enter the temple. Because very little is known of the public or private Vestal rites, we can only speculate as to what took place. However, historians ans do know that at some point, the fire in the temple was ritually ally rekindled and that prayers and offerings were made. In addition to performing all of the sacred rites for the festival, tival, the Vestals undertook other ritual duties. For example, it was their responsibility to make the sacred salt cake (molasses) used in the Vestalia. This required them to fetch water from a sacred spring and bring it back without setting it down along the way. They were also in charge of ritually sweeping the temple clean before it was closed to outsiders on June 15.
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