Around 17 February, the ancient Romans celebrated the festival of Fornacalia in honour of Fornax, the goddess of ovens who oversaw the proper baking of bread. Her name is connected with the English word ‘furnace’. “The oven is the mother,” was the adage of the Fornicalia. [1]
Fornicalia Ritual
To honour Fornax or your own Hearth Goddess, clean your oven today. I know – it’s a job that everyone hates, but one that has to be done. Consider it as a sacred act which honours the goddess. Afterwards, make some bread, and put it to bake in the oven with the words:
“Hearth Goddess, Goddess of the Oven, Lady of Fire, you are a goddess of transformation, taking raw ingredients and transmuting them into nourishing food. On this day I honour you and bake this bread in tribute.”
Share the bread with friends and be sure to put the crumbs out for the wild birds.
Home Made Oven Cleaner
100 ml liquid castile soap
240 gm bicarbonate of soda (baking soda)
60 ml white vinegar
Water
Mix together, adding enough water to turn the mixture into a paste. Spread over your oven and leave for at least 8 hours. It will foam a little. Wash off with clean water.
© Anna Franklin, The Hearth Witch’s Year, Llewellyn, 2021
[1] Nigel Pennick, The Goddess Year, Capall Bann, Chieveley, 1996
Hearth Witchery 