The Roman goddess Pax is also known as the Greek goddess Irene or Eirene. The dating of the Festival of Pax varies depending on the source; Some sources suggest that the ancient festivities honoring this goddess were held on January 3, while other sources suggest that the festival was held on January 30. Alternative sources assert that there are three Festivals of Pax each year on January 30, March 30 and July 4.
Depictions
Pax is identified as the daughter of the Roman god Jupiter and Justitia, the goddess of Justice. As the Greek goddess Eirene, her parents are the god Zeus and Themis, the Goddess of Order. According to the “The Numismatic Circular And Catalogue Of Coins, Tokens, Commemorative & War Medals, Books & Cabinets,” by Spink & Son, the first coins depicting the Roman goddess Pax were struck in the year 44 B.C. and Augustus had a special altar placed on the Field of Mars that was dedicated to this goddess.
In “A New Classical Dictionary Of Greek And Roman Biography, Mythology And Geography,” William Smith and Charles Anthon asserts that Pax is also sometimes portrayed on coinage as a young woman holding an olive branch in her right hand and a cornucopia in her left; On occasion, some coins have images of Pax burning a stack of arms. In the “Manual of Classical Literature,” authors Johann Joachim Eschenburg and Nathan Welby Fiske explain that Pax is often portrayed on old coins as a woman who is resting against a column with a Mercury or Hermes-like scepter in her right hand and wheat in her left hand; She is known as the goddess of security and peace and on coins she sometimes holds the scepter above a tripod.
Ancient celebrations and date discrepancies
In “Twelve Caesars,” Suetonius writes that there was an altar dedicated to Pax in Athens and the Roman Emperor Vespasian completed a temple that was started by the Emperor Claudius in her honor. According to Spink & Son, offerings to Pax were made on January 30, March 30 and July 4 annually. The Nova Roma website offers a festival date of January 30 and according to Lexa Olick, the author of “Witchy Crafts: 60 Enchanted Projects for the Creative Witch,” despite being a goddess commonly associated with the spring, Pax was commonly honored on the third day of January.
Honoring Pax today
If seeking to increase the amount of peace and harmony in one's life, Pax is an ideal deity to invoke. Images of Pax as well as cornucopias and Rose Quartz stones can be used as symbols of peace on the altar and in the home; the Rose Quartz can be charged for peace and carried by the practitioner. Practitioners can get a peace sign necklace or bracelet and charge it for drawing peaceful energies.
Cilantro, coltsfoot, coriander, gardenia, heather, hyacinth, lavender, lily of the valley, myrrh, myrtle, olive leaf and pennyroyal can be used in magickal applications for promoting tranquility, harmony and peace. Suitable incense selections for promoting peace include sage, frankincense, gardenia, vanilla, lavender, lotus, jasmine and sandalwood. Burning white candles can bring positive energies into the environment or burning purple candles can help in establishing peace of mind. Blue candles are ideal for establishing a peaceful mood. Pink candles can be used for diminishing negative energies and bringing more compassion into your life.
Did you enjoy this article? Please share your thoughts in the comment area and please subscribe to this site by clicking the sign up link above to receive updates about new articles appearing on the Albany Wiccan & Pagan Examiner.
Comments