Fordicia

Another roman festival! Sorry it's a bit late in the day, but I just haven't had much time to sit down and get some research on it.

On April 15th, every year, the Ancient Romans held the festival of Fordicia, also called Hordicidia. This festival was in honor of Tellus, or Terra Mater, the Roman personification of the earth. She was associated with Ceres in respect to growing crops, also connected with marriage and pregnancy. Her Greek counterpart is Gaia. During the festivities, a pregnant cow was sacrificed and the whole event was governed by the Vestal Virgins and the Pontifex Maximus.

Sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fordicia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terra_(mythology)

and as usual, the Pagan Calandar.

Blessings!
Petra