I am really enjoying the book Celebrating Wiccan Spirituality. This is from today's page:
Roman Festival of Carmentalia
The festival of Carmentalia took place in Ancient Rome in honour of the prophecy Nymphs know as Carmenae. The Goddess of protection in childbirth, Carmenta, was the principal nymph, and pregnant women would give offerings of rice and vegatables in return for a safe labour and healthy baby. Women who wished for pregnancy would request Carmenta to bless wild berries, which they would then eat to increase fertility.
Ring on a String
This is a great time to predict gender of your baby. Suspend a gold ring from a chain or string, holding it over your belly. If the string moves in circles, the answer is a girl, if it swings back and forth, the answer is a boy.
In Folklore of England, this day was Hogmanay, when after Christmas the witches were due to become active again. The Trial Records from 1655, on this day at York Castle, a charm was found to ward off bewitchment of cattle:
Put a pair of breeches upon the cow's head, and beat her out of pasture with a good cudgel upon a Friday, and she will run to the Witch's door and strike threat with her horns.
- Reginald Scott,
The Discovery of Witchcraft, 1584
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