Salve Lar Familiaris!
Salvete Di Penates!
I’m fascinated by the different ways people think about and create home altars.
“The first task for a new cultor Deorum is to establish a lararium. There is a process to it, in ritually cleansing the house and inviting your ancestors to visit your lararium. Usually it starts out simple. An image of the Lar familiaris or that of one’s Genius is flanked by two Lares offering food and drink. Oil lamps and candles, an incense holder, a bowl to receive libations or other offerings. Over the years the offerings can build. On the birthday of every family member, as one example, a pebble is added to the lararium and relics of various kinds may be stored there, as well as articles used in our rituals.” (Piscinus, 2013)
More Information
- M. Horatius Piscinus, “Morning Prayer“, Patheos <patheos.com> (July 13, 2013).
- M. Horatius Piscinus, “Life in Ritual Context“, Patheos <patheos.com> (June 5, 2013).
- Robin Mastro & Michael Mastro, Altars of Power and Grace: Create the Life You Desire–Achieve Harmony, Health, Fulfillment and Prosperity with Personal Altars Based on Vastu Shastra (2004).
- Member # 709, “Religio Romano: Simple Daily Home Rites and Prayers“, Ár nDraíocht Féin <ADF.org>.
- Tom Rowsell, “Indo-European Prayer and Ritual“, Survive the Jive, YouTube <youtube.com> (Jan. 6, 2018).
- M. Sentia Figula, “The Lararium“, Neo Polytheist <romanpagan.blogspot.com> (May 20, 2016).
- M. Sentia Figula, “Pagan Offerings to the Gods“, New Polytheist <romanpagan.blogspot.com> (Mar. 3, 2012).
- Timothevs, “How to Design Your Own Roman Votive Altar + How to Read Latin Inscriptions on Roman Altars in Museums“, Remembering the Gods <timothevs.blogspot.com>
Updated to add links.
