Also called Inuus, Lupercus (associated).
Their story
Faunus was an ancient Latin god of wild places and herds, said in some stories to have been an early king of Latium. He spoke through dreams to those who slept on sheepskins in his groves, as Virgil describes King Latinus doing. At the Lupercalia young men ran around the Palatine in goatskins, striking onlookers with thongs to bring fertility. Horace describes country people dancing at his December festival.
Best times to give to them
- Lupercalia, 15 February
- Ides of February (his island temple)
- Faunalia, 5 December
What they like being given
- Milk
- Wine or grape juice
- Grain
- Woodland flowers
How to honour them
- Walk in woodland and leave only a splash of milk or water.
- Pay attention to your dreams after visiting wild places.
- Play a simple tune outdoors for him.
How they can help you
- Connection with wild land
- Dreams and messages
- Care for animals
Symbols
- goatskin
- pan pipes
- wolf
- oak
The link between Faunus and the Lupercalia is ancient but disputed in detail.
Sources
- Ovid, Fasti 2
- Virgil, Aeneid 7
- Horace, Odes 3.18
More Roman gods
- Jupiter Best and greatest, guardian of Rome
- Mars Father of Rome and guardian of fields
- Mercury Patron of merchants, messages and journeys
- Janus Two-faced god of doors and beginnings
- Saturn King of the golden age and lord of the harvest
- Sol Invictus The unconquered sun, reborn at midwinter
- Neptune Lord of fresh water and the sea
- Vulcan God of fire, both destroying and forging