February 21: Ancient Roman Feast of Feralia: Dead Ancestors (Ghosts walked once!)

Credit: http://arcana-mundi.blogspot.com/

February 21st marks a specific ancient roman feast called "Feralia."  This feast is to honor the gods of the netherworld and the souls of the deceased, in particular dead ancestors. 
There is one time that the Romans didn't acknowledge it, and ghosts were said to appear. 
 

Ancient Roman Ruins from 2016

According to  histmyst.org/festivals.html, " Romans brought offerings to their tombs including wreaths and bread soaked in wine. There they sprinkled grain, salt, and violet petals. 

When once the Romans ignored the festival because of preoccupation with war, it was said that the dead ancestors roamed the streets as angry ghosts!

To mark the mournings, marriages were prohibited on this day, magistrates did not wear their insignia and all temples were closed for business. 
 

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