Ante Diem XIV Kalendas October

Modern Date : September 18th

Ante Diem XIV Kalendas October
The Ludi Romani

This is one of the dies comitiales when committees of citizens could vote on political or criminal matters.

The emperor Trajan was born Marcus Ulpius Traianus at Italica in Spain, in 53 AD.

The emperor Domitian was murdered in the Imperial Palace this day in 96 AD. He was 44. Nerva became the next emperor this day.

Flavius Dalmatius became co-emperor, in Constantinople, on this day in 335 AD.

In Greece, the Festival of the Eleusinian Mysteries continues this day. Many Romans sought admittance to these mysteries, incuding Marcus Aurelius, who succeeded, and Nero, who did not. Cicero, who succeeded, implied of the rites of Eleusis that "...they seem to be a recognition of the powers of Nature rather than the power of the Gods."

The Ludi Romani, the great games in honor of Jupiter (Jove) continued this day and were celebrated through to the 19th.

The emperor Constantine was victorious over Licinius this day at Chrysopolis in 324 AD. Licinius was initially exiled, and later Constantine had him killed.

September is the 'magical' seventh month (after March).


St Sophia
In Hugo's "Lives of the Saints" it reads, "Nothing is known about this saint who is commemorated today, except her baptismal name…found inscribed on a tomb in a cemetery reserved for martyrs." In her pictures she is shown with her three daughters: Faith, Hope and Charity. Attwater (The Penguin Dictionary of the Saints), lists her feast day as September 30. It is appropriate that her feast day falls in the same month as so many holy days honoring Mary, for she represents the feminine principle, otherwise missing in Christianity. She's the saintly version of the great goddess of wisdom, Sophia, praised in Proverbs (3:13)

"She is more precious than jewels, and nothing you desire can compare with her.

Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor.

Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace.

She is a tree of life to those who lay hold of her; those who hold her fast are called happy."


Birthday of the Monkey God, Ts'oi T'in Tai Seng Yeh
The 16th day of the eighth month is celebrated in Singapore as the birthday of the Monkey God. Although his shrines are often small and humble, they are popular with the people who come to consult the mediums attached to them.

Priests enter trances to channel the spirit of the Monkey God, making them behave like monkeys. To signify the Monkey Gods bravery, they skewer themselves through the cheek and tongue, or slash their arms and legs. A grand procession through the streets leads to the Monkey God Temple. An empty sedan chair is carried by devotees and the entranced, pierced priests file behind with spears and skewers. Chinese opera and puppet plays are often performed in the temple courtyard.