Mother’s Day, Matronalia Feriae, celebrates the goddess Juno on March 1st. Women receive gifts and are celebrated. 

In ancient Rome, Matronalia (or Matronales Feriae) celebrated Juno Lucina in her capacity as a mother goddess. The name of Matronalia depicts a married woman in charge of domestic affairs. 

GODDESS JUNO

Juno is the daughter of Saturn and the wife of Jupiter. A respected goddess is also the mother of Mars, Vulcan, Bellona, and Juventus. 

Juno is the goddess of marriage, women, fertility, beauty, and war. She watches over women who are pregnant and in childbirth. The goddess Juno is tied to the cycles of the moon and its light. 

The cycle of the moon has long been worshiped by pagan people and used for thousands of years as a means for women to track their fertility.

Juno sacred animal is the peacock, and her tree is the lotus. 

Juno had a unique position in the Capitoline Triad which consisted of herself as queen, Jupiter as king, and Minerva as the goddess of wisdom. 

The month of June is named after Juno and is a popular month for weddings. In fact, those who conceive a child in June give birth in or around March. 

How Mother’s Day is Celebrated

Women wear their hair and garments lose to express the fertility and open wombs. Flowers adorn their hair.

In the Middle Ages, a custom began of going to visit your mother on March 1st.

It was a day for gathering flowers and started the tradition of bringing flowers to your mother.

Celebrating Juno

Women who are close to labor offer prayers and sacrifices to Juno in preparation for delivery. 

ALTAR

Set up your altar to honor Juno, your women ancestors, and women important in your life. Pictures of goddess Juno and women you want to honor, flowers, and candles.

Yellow flowers and roses are significant but use whatever you have available.

Inscribe your candles with the name of women you want to honor. Light candles, meditate on how important women enhanced your life, and give them thanks. 

The Moon

Moon holds special significance for childbirths. Worship the goddess Juno in the light of the moon at an altar placed near the window in your home that receives the most moonlight. 

Allow the flowers of the altar to bathe in the moonlight outside before placing them on the altar, and do the same with your coin offerings. 

Visit your mother and tell important women in your life how much they meant to you. Prepare gifts such as lilies, chocolates, and small gifts.

Give thanks to Goddess Juno.