Their story
Pales was the protector of flocks and shepherds, sometimes described as male and sometimes female. At the Parilia on 21 April shepherds swept their folds, drove their sheep through smoke and leapt over bonfires of straw. Ovid gives the shepherd's prayer, asking pardon for having unknowingly grazed a sacred grove or disturbed a nymph. The day was also celebrated as the founding day of Rome.
Best times to give to them
- Parilia, 21 April (the birthday of Rome)
What they like being given
- Millet cakes
- Warm milk
- Laurel smoke
- Sulphur-free incense
How to honour them
- Sweep and cleanse the home on 21 April.
- Leap over a candle or small safe flame for purification.
- Pray for the health of animals in your care.
How they can help you
- Care of animals
- Purification
- Forgiveness for unknowing faults
Symbols
- bonfire
- milk pail
- laurel
- sheep
Her gender is uncertain in the sources.
Sources
- Ovid, Fasti 4
- Varro, De Re Rustica 2.1
- Propertius, Elegies 4.4
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