Also called Terra Mater.
Their story
Tellus was the earth itself, from which crops grew and into which the dead were laid. At the sowing festival in January she was honoured with Ceres, with offerings of spelt and cakes. At the Fordicidia on 15 April pregnant cows were sacrificed to her and the ash of their unborn calves kept for the Parilia. Her temple stood in the Carinae district, and she appears on the Ara Pacis surrounded by children and fruits.
Best times to give to them
- Feriae Sementivae, late January
- Fordicidia, 15 April
- Sowing and planting
What they like being given
- Grain
- Milk poured on the ground
- Seeds
- Flowers
How to honour them
- Pour milk or water on the earth before you plant.
- Pick up litter as an act of worship.
- Kneel and touch the ground when you pray.
How they can help you
- Planting and growing
- Grounding
- Fertility
Symbols
- cornucopia
- children
- flowers and fruit
- cow
The ancient Fordicidia sacrifice should be replaced with grain and milk.
Sources
- Ovid, Fasti 1
- Ovid, Fasti 4
- Varro, De Re Rustica 1.1
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