Vitulatio

Vitulatio is basically an early thanksgiving celebration dating from ancient Roman times.

Are you tired of celebrating the same old holidays every year? Looking for something new, obscure, and slightly disturbing? Look no further than Vitulatio, the ancient Roman festival that was all the rage back in the day.
However, it’s worth noting that the morality and ethics of the festival might be questionable in modern times. Sacrificing animals and celebrating violent victories are unpopular in modern celebrations for a good reason!

Origin of Vitulatio

Vitulatio was an annual thanksgiving celebrated in ancient Rome on July 8th, the day after the Poplifugia, which was a festival of equally obscure origins.
According to Macrobius (famous writer from that time, not the probiotic drink) the Vitulatio commemorated the Roman victory over the Etruscans.
It was a day of religious prohibition when people were supposed to do nothing other than attending to basic necessities.

Mythology Behind Vitulatio

The word Vitulatio is derived from the Latin verb “vitulari,” which means to chant or recite a formula with a joyful intonation and rhythm. It was equivalent to the Greek “paianizein,” which means to sing a paean, a song expressing triumph or thanksgiving. The festival was named after the goddess Vitula, who was associated with joy and life, and was possibly an invention to explain the name. According to Vergil, she received first fruits offerings, but her role in the festival is not entirely clear.

Purpose of Vitulatio

In terms of mythology, Vitulatio’s origins are unclear, but the celebration likely had a connection to the Roman victory against the Etruscans. It’s also possible that the festival was connected to the goddess Vitula, who embodied joy and life.

The purpose of Vitulatio was to express gratitude for the Roman victory against the Etruscans. It was a time for people to give thanks and celebrate their triumph. However, like many ancient festivals, it’s possible that there were other purposes or meanings that have been lost over time.

During Vitulatio, people were supposed to refrain from undertaking any activity other than attending to basic necessities. It was a “dies religiosus”, a day of religious prohibition. 

The word Vitulatio comes from the Latin verb “vitulari,” which means to chant or recite a formula with a joyful intonation and rhythm.
The festival was named after the goddess Vitula, who embodied joy or perhaps life. She received first fruits offerings and may have been an invention to explain the name.

Morals and Ethics of Vitulatio

As with any ancient celebration, there may be questions about the morals and ethics of Vitulatio.
For example, does a victory over one group of people justify the celebration and thanksgiving of another? And what about the treatment of the losers in these battles? These are ethical considerations that are still relevant today.
It’s important to remember that the celebration took place in a very different time and cultural context, and our understanding of the world has evolved significantly since then. At least, we like to think so.

Preparing for Vitulatio

To prepare for Vitulatio, you might start by reading up on the festival’s history and mythology to gain a better understanding of its significance.
You could also learn some Latin phrases to recite or sing during the celebration.
Additionally, you could try out some of the traditional Roman recipes and prepare a feast fit for a victorious celebration.
Make sure though that you’re prepared for the day of religious prohibition.
You can’t do anything other than attending to basic necessities, so stock up on food and water beforehand. 

As for fun experiments, you could try making some traditional Roman dishes, such as spelt bread, lentil soup, or roasted meat.
You could also try your hand at creating a Roman toga or other festive clothing.

Safety Tips for Vitulatio

While Vitulatio is a relatively safe holiday, it’s always a good idea to exercise caution when working with fire or sharp objects.
Keep a fire extinguisher handy if you’re cooking over an open flame, save the fireworks for New Years’ Eve and be careful when handling knives or other sharp objects.
Also we strongly advise to refrain from practicing animal sacrifice. Harming an innocent creature for a ritual is depressing, messy, highly unnecessary and a thing we should leave in the past.
Offerings of flowers and fruit are much more zen and smell really nice.

How to celebrate Vitulatio

There are many ways to celebrate Vitulatio.
You could organize a Roman-themed party or potluck, complete with toga-wearing, Latin-singing, and traditional Roman foods.
You could also attend a Latin or ancient history class to learn more about the festival and the culture behind it.
You can dress up in Roman attire and pretend to be victorious soldiers. Be careful when playing with pointy swords though.

Examples of Vitulatio Celebrations

There are not many examples of Vitulatio celebrations, but it’s possible to celebrate the festival by attending a reenactment or historical festival that commemorates ancient Roman culture. You could also create your own celebration with friends and family, complete with traditional Roman foods and costumes.

In conclusion:

Vitulatio might seem like a strange holiday to modern people, but it’s worth celebrating if you’re looking for something new and exciting.
Let loose, kick off your sandals, and dance like nobody’s watching!