Also called Vortumnus.
Their story
Vertumnus, whose name is linked to turning, was said by Varro to be Etruscan in origin. His bronze statue stood in the Vicus Tuscus near the Forum, where merchants traded, and Propertius gives him a poem in which he speaks of his changing shapes. Ovid tells how he wooed Pomona in many disguises before revealing himself. He had a temple on the Aventine.
Best times to give to them
- Anniversary of his Aventine temple, 13 August
- Change of season
What they like being given
- Seasonal fruit
- Flowers
- Wine or grape juice
How to honour them
- Mark each change of season with a seasonal fruit on the altar.
- Ask him to help you adapt to change.
- Wear something different to honour his many forms.
How they can help you
- Adapting to change
- Growth and ripening
- Market dealings
Symbols
- fruit
- pruning hook
- changing garments
Sources
- Propertius, Elegies 4.2
- Ovid, Metamorphoses 14
- Varro, De Lingua Latina 5.46
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