Personal Devotions - the Household Cult
Lee
The household cult constitutes all those deities and spirits associated with the person and the house itself. In my own case this means Briganti as the keeper of the hearth and the ‘heart of the home’, the Matres; the ‘mothers’ and those household spirits of unknown name who are remembered and honoured and the ancestors. Others can also be honoured such as very local ungods (spirits of place). These observances are rather casual, each having a small prayer and an offering of food and drink. The actual food and drink offered can vary of course, though libations of bread or milk are most often used.
Briganti, mother of the flame, may I pray with a good fire
Briganti, mother of the flame, may I sacrifice well
Briganti; your flame in this house
Fill my home with your warmth
Briganti: your flame at my hearth
May it be bright for all who dwell here
Briganti: your flame in my hands
May I work well, may I sacrifice well, and may I honour the gods well.
[Food and drink offered]
* * *
To the Ladies of this house,
The Matres of this home;
I offer you this food ,as is right to do so
I offer you this drink, as is proper to do so
[Food and drink offered]
