Also called Leucothea (identified).
Their story
Mater Matuta was an old Latin goddess of the dawn, with a temple in the Forum Boarium beside that of Fortuna, and a large sanctuary at Satricum. At the Matralia on 11 June only married women married once took part; they baked cakes, drove a slave woman out of the temple, and prayed for their sisters' children. Ovid explains the rite through the Greek Ino, who became Leucothea and nursed her sister's son Bacchus. The goddess was especially dear to women.
Best times to give to them
- Matralia, 11 June
What they like being given
- Cakes baked at home
- Milk
- Flowers
- Incense
How to honour them
- Pray for your sisters' and brothers' children rather than your own on 11 June.
- Bake simple cakes at home in her name.
- Greet the dawn with thanks.
How they can help you
- Blessing children
- Aunts and extended family
- Morning prayer
Symbols
- swaddled child
- dawn
- baked cakes
The identification with Leucothea is a Greek overlay on an Italian cult.
Sources
- Ovid, Fasti 6
- Plutarch, Roman Questions 16-17
- Livy 5.19
More Roman goddesses
- Juno Queen of heaven and protector of women
- Minerva Patron of craftworkers, teachers and healers
- Venus Mother of the Roman people and goddess of love
- Diana Lady of the woodland grove and the moon
- Vesta The living flame at the heart of home and Rome
- Ceres Mother of the grain and friend of the common people
- Luna The moon, shining through the night
- Libera Partner of Liber in the Aventine triad