This question is for all you Wiccans and Pagans out there.?

Question

I'm researching the Vestal Virgins and there seems to be some details I just cannot find. For instance-

> It leaves me with some questions that perhaps someone would
elaborate on? For instance ... the end? Do the flames stil burn in
Rome? How and when were they finally extinguished? What became of
the virgins finally? Do they continue to be with us?
>
> I also wonder ... the "elite" families mst have not only been
proud, but must have enjoyed special roles in the Roman society of
those days? Any information about that?
>
> Also, what about the virgin daughter of the inn keeper and his
wench? Was there ever a virgin daughter of such a class selected?

Answer 1

Vestales (ves' to lez; ves ta' lez). Vestal, Vestalis (singular). Also Vestals, Vestal Virgins. Roman priestesses consecrated to the service of Vests in the oldest temple in Rome, built by Numa Pompilius, the second Roman king. The office of Vestales was very ancient. Rhea Silvia, the mother of Romulus and Remus, was one of the Vestals. Aeneas is supposed to have chosen the first Vestales. The candidate had to be between six and ten years of age, of Italian birth, and near perfection in mind and body.Her training took ten years; then she spent ten years carrying out her sacred duties watching the sacred fire on the altar of Vests, kept perpetually burning; bringing water daily from the fountain Egeria; serving as custodian of the sacred Palladium from Troy, which was kept in Vesta's temple, located in the very center of the Roman Forum; she spent another ten years instructing novices. After her service of thirty years, she was free to retire, and could even marry although at her initiation she had pledged herself to celibacy. If she still preferred celibacy, she was allowed to serve the other Vestales. At public games and festivals, a Vestal was given the place of honor; in a court of law, it was not necessary for the Vestal to swear to speak the truth-her simple word was sufficient; if she met a criminal on the way to execution, she could pardon him then and there. The cult of the Vestal Virgins, one of the oldest in Rome, was observed until the advent of Christianity. Whenin the year 380, the sacred fire was quenched and the Vestals dispersed by Emperor Theodocious

Answer 2

Vestal Virgins were exclusively selected from the patrician class in Rome. In Republican times Patricians were the only ones with access to public office, or the vote. According to James Frazer the priestesses of Vesta used to be the mothers of the candidates for kingship, but with the abolishment of the kings they were condemned to stay virgins until they were at least 40 years old.
The custom gave rise to the female monasteries as Christianity became state religion, and in that sense they are still with us.

Answer 3

How happy is the blameless vestal's lot!
The world forgetting, by the world forgot.
Eternal sunshine of the spotless mind!
Each prayer accepted, and each wish resigned.

- Alexander Pope

(It has not much to do with what you asked ... I just love this little poem! Sorry :)

Answer 4

Sorry Celtic Pantheon here....there should be a book somewhere with that info....

Answer 5

isn't there a wiccan/pagan society where you are ? ther ars many tales (some told different versions) AREyou local? look in libraries... i.e. celts ...