Neptune was the ancient Roman god of the ocean, seas, rivers, lakes and streams. He was believed to protect men and women from danger on the seas. He was called upon to ensure naval victories, to ease passage along the trade routes by minimizing waves and currents, and to provide adequate Summer rains for irrigating crops.
The festival of Neptunalia honored Neptune on July 23rd of each year. Celebrants built small huts out of leafy bay laurel branches. They would picnic outdoors, drinking spring water and wine to keep cool during the heat of the day. A bull might be sacrificed to Neptune and cooked over open fires. Overnight camping was common, and the festival continued the next day.
Today we celebrate the sea in ways both different than and similar to the ancient Romans. We still build huts, but ours are made of driftwood. We roast hot dogs instead of bull over beach bonfires, and we spend our time flying kites, making sandcastles, splashing in the surf, searching for floats, fishing, surfing, kiteboarding, and beachcombing for shells and agates. We still enjoy that glass of spring water or wine at the end of a long Summer's day on the sand.
Please share my impressions of life at the beach. Join the celebration and enjoy your time here!
