KALENDS NOVEMBRIS [F]
Notes: [F] Fastus: Comitia, no; Courts, yes.
- Every Kalends is sacred to Iuno: "Vindicat Ausonias Iunonis cura kalendas..." (Ovidius)
- The relative lack of feriae in November is offset by the Ludi Plebeii, usually 4 November to 17 November.
* Ludi in Circo: Isia - inventio Osiris, the Passion of Isis in searching for the dismembered parts of Osiris.
"Vetches, kidney beans and arugula should be sown after the setting of the Lyre. It is generally recommended that this should be done under a New Moon." (Pliny, Nat. Hist. 18.74).
For Sunday, 2 November:
Ante Diem IV Nonae Novembres [F]
Notes: Dies Ater (unlucky):
- Gods or Goddesses should not be invoked by name while indoors, and no celestial God or Goddess should be invoked by name while outdoors.
- Sacrifices should not be made.
- These days are ill-omened to begin any new project since any new project would necessarily begin by performing a rite calling for the assistance of the gods. Such religious rites, beginning something new, are not to be performed.
- Avoid making journeys, or doing anything risky.
* Isia inventio Osiris. As above, Isis's quest for Osiris's fragmented body.
* Birth of Plato, 428 BCE.
"Rather than seek apparent prosperity that fortune may bring, seek to govern the mind well." (Livy 42.62.11.)
For Monday, 3 November:
ante diem III Nonas Novembres [C]
* Hilaria, Isiac harvest festival. "O Isis, who dwells in Paraetonium and the genial fields of Canopus, in Memphis and palm-rich Pharos, and where the broad Nile swiftly disgorges into the salty sea through seven mouths, may Osiris always love your pious rites, may the serpent ever glide slowly nearby to bless Your altar gifts, and the horned Apis ever walk beside You in procession." (Ovid, Amores II 13.7-14).
* Clodius attacks the houses of Marcus Cicero and his brother Quintus on the Palatine, 56 BCE.
For Tuesday, 4 November:
Pridie Nonas Novembres [C]
* Ludi Plebii, celebrated with chariot races in honor of Jupiter Optimus Maximus, first established in 220 BCE.
* Martyrdom of the Pagans: Theodosius (yeah, him again) orders all pagans put to death, 451 CE.
Wednesday, 5 November:
Nonae Novembres [F]
Notes: [F] Fastus (comitia: no; courts: yes)
"O Iuppiter, who does cherish and nurture the human race, through whom we live and draw the breath of being, in whom rest the hopes and lives of all humankind, I beg you to grant that this day may prosper that which I have in hand." (Plautus, Poenulus 1187-89)
Thursday the 6th:
Ante Diem VIII Idus Novembris [F], Dies Ater
Notes: The days after the Kalends, the Nones and the Ides were considered ater because many calamities for the Roman state fell on those days. All were subject to the same restrictions on activity as those listed for Sunday the 3rd.
* Ludi Plebii.
"People of the countryside are of the opinion that arugula should not be sown after the departure of the stork." (Pliny, Nat. Hist. 18.74).
And for Friday the 7th:
ante diem VII Idus Novembres [C]
* Ludi Plebii (cont'd): "Priapus, a large cup of milk and this libum bread is all you can expect each year, guardian of a pauper’s garden!" (Virgil, Eclogues 7:33-34)
If houseplants count, I've been a gardening pauper from time to time m'self...but, alas, things with roots don't much lend themselves to migratory urges!
In fide, Marius.
(and the Draecena, and the Spathiphyllum, and the bamboo, and the Haworthia, and the air fern, and the Zygocactus)