Passing the threshold into a new month gives us the opportunity connect with ourselves and the divine, much like the ancient Romans practiced long ago. The Kalends marks the first day of each month in the Roman calendar. These special days were steeped in rituals and traditions that connected daily life to the divine.
The Lares belong to a class of tutelary deities worshipped by pagan Romans.
They were originally gods of cultivated fields, and Romans would worship them at the intersections where their allotment joined others. Eventually, they became known as Lares familiaris, household spirits who brought prosperity and abundance to the family. Some scholars believe they were the spirits of departed loved ones. Roman families would build shrines dedicated to the Lares, usually around the hearth, as this was considered the center of the family home.
The family's relationship with their household Lares would affect the well-being of the family, their crops, and their fortune. Offerings would be given on special occasions, one of them being Kalends, the first of the month. Towards the 5th century, kalends rituals would phase out of pagan Roman routines, all except the most famous Kalends celebration, the New Year celebration on the First of January.
Ancient Roman families would participate in a ritual on the Kalends of every month, led by the head of the household, or the Paterfamilias. The ceremony would be performed at sunrise or at sunset if circumstances made the earlier ceremony impossible. The participants would not be permitted to eat until the ritual was over (if being performed at sunrise). The family would dress in white linens, and offerings would be made to the Lares at the household shrine. The purpose of this ritual was to purify and bring prosperity to the family, as well as correct any wrongdoing committed in the last month.
A candle on the shrine would be lit, and some incense would be burned to purify the space. The head of the household would lead prayers to chosen Gods, usually related to the upcoming month, or patron deities of the family. After prayers were finished, an offering would be made to the Gods, usually a cake or bread with wine. Following this, the same would be repeated for the Lares of he household. A garland would be placed on the shrine in dedication to the Lares.
If you are looking to bring routine into your spiritual practice, or want to connect more with your household spirits, you may take inspiration from the Roman Kalends. A monthly ritual will help you build a spiritual practice around a busy life. Down the road, you may welcome other deities into your first-of-the-month ritual, or experiment with different offerings and workings. First, you will want a dedicated space for your practice. Find the “hearth” of your home: it can be a literal fireplace or a symbolic one. An area of your home you interact with daily is better than one tucked away out of sight. Find an image or an icon to represent your household spirits. You can furnish the shrine with whatever inspires you. A candle and vessel for lighting incense will be important when performing rituals. The first of each month is a good time to reflect on the month passed, and welcome stepping into a new one. Set your intentions, celebrate what is to come, and commune with the spirits that surround you. What are some rituals you perform every month?
