Calendar

Second Day of Carmentalia

Carmentalia is all about birth, totally appropriate for the New Year, a symbol of new beginnings. The festival is a two day event, but the days are split. During the Carmentalia visitors to her shrine were forbidden to wear or carry leather, because of its association with the slaughter of animals. Prayers offered to Carmentalia invoke the two goddesses Porrima and Postverta who are like divine midwives. Porrima takes charge when the child is presented head first and Postverta oversees when the child is presented feet first.