Opiconsivia

Also known as Opalia.
This festival honored Opis, the goddess of agricultural harvests.
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Opiconsivia, the ancient Roman festival dedicated to Ops, the goddess of abundance, may seem like a thing of the past. But its essence lives on in the harvest festivals we still celebrate today. Regardless of time and place, humans have an innate desire to revel in their bountiful harvests.
This festival is the epitome of a celebration of plenty.
And just like a perfectly ripe fruit, it’s ready to be enjoyed and savored.

Originating from the era of the great Julius Caesar, Opiconsivia takes place annually on August 25. The purpose of this festival was to celebrate the successful harvest of the season and to give thanks to the goddess Ops, who was the patroness of agricultural abundance.

What sets Opiconsivia apart from other harvest festivals?

Harvest festivals are similar all around the world. They all celebrate a successful harvest with music, dancing, food, and the hope that the abundance will help them prepare for future hardships.
Opiconsivia is a unique festival in the Roman pantheon because it was solely dedicated to a female deity, which was rare among a predominantly male group of gods.

If you’re preparing for Opiconsivia, here are a few tips:

Brush up on your Roman mythology, make sure you have a proper toga, and stock up on grapes for crushing (or just for snacking, we won’t judge).
And don’t forget to brush up on your Latin, because you might just want to impress your guests with some ancient incantations to appease the goddess Ops.

How do you celebrate Opiconsivia?

• Gather your friends and family, prepare a feast of seasonal produce, and share stories of gratitude and generosity.
• Wear flowers in your hair.
• Offer up some of the season’s finest produce to the gods, have a grape-crushing contest, and don’t forget to give a toast to Ops!
• You could also perform some ancient Roman rituals, like making offerings to Ops or reciting incantations.

And, as with any festival, there are a few safety tips to keep in mind:

• Be careful when overindulging. Tummy aches are not festive.
• Don’t go too overly wild with the wine. Leave at least some for the winter festivals.
• Avoid any mischievous pranks from Mercury, the tricky messenger of the gods.
• Don’t accept strange “candy” from Bacchus’s entourage.

Still sounds like other festivals? Yes, it does!

If you’re looking for modern-day celebrations that are similar to Opiconsivia, think Thanksgiving or Christmas. And if you’re looking for some ancient Roman flair, you’ll be happy to know that the mythology behind Opiconsivia is just as rich as the feast you’ll be enjoying.
The goddess Ops was said to be the wife of Saturn and the mother of many gods, including Jupiter. She was revered for her generosity and her ability to bring abundance to the land and its people.

Don’t miss out on this chance to bask in the glory of Ops and pay homage to the goddess of abundance.
And if you’re going to celebrate Opiconsivia, be sure to wear some flowers in your hair.

Fill your garners, harvest lasts not forever.
(Latin Proverb)