02/04/2026
Posting early, but Minerva is one of the Goddesses I think we most need right now.
Minerva Capta, Minerva the Captive, was brought to Rome after the Erustans were overthrown in c. 241 BCE. She is a lightning bearer, healer, artist, as well as a goddess of wisdom and justice. She isn't a carbon copy of Athena. She has Her own agency and autonomy long forgotten because of a culture hellbent on domination of the known world and everyone in it.
I feel She understands the state of the world. I invite you to honor Her with me.
Hail Minerva! Hail the captive goddess! Hail the goddess of a thousand works!
Dies admoniet et forti sacrificare deae, quod est illa nata Minerva die.
This day reminds us to sacrifice to the strong goddess, for today is Minerva's birthday.
Pallada nunc oremus. Qui bene placavit Pallada, doctus erit.
Let us pray now to Pallas, for whosoever wins Pallas' favour shall be learned.
Nec quisquam invita Pallade faciet bene licet antiquo manibus conlatus Epeo sit prior, irata Pallade mancus erit.
No one, though more cunning in handiwork than old Epeus, can do well; he shall be helpless, if Pallas be displeased with him.
Vos quoque, Phoeba morbos qui pellitis arte, munera de vestris pauca referte deae.
You too, who banish sickness by Phoebus' art, bring from your earnings a few gifts to the goddess.
Nec vos, turba fere censu fraudante, magistri, spernite; discipulos attrahit illa novos.
Schoolmasters, do not spurn her either, nor cheat her of your earnings: she will bring you new students.
Mille dea est operum. Si mereramus, studiis adsit amica nostris.
She is the goddess of a thousand works. May she be friendly to our pursuits, if we deserve it.
(From Ovid's Fasti, commemorating the festival of Quinquatrus, Minerva's birthday)