Ireland's OWN: Myths & Magic Fortuna (Roman Goddess of Fate) 11 June --  Fortuna. A sacred day at the temple of Fortuna in Rome. Fortuna is the Roman Goddess of Fate � good and bad. She is known as Fortuna Primigenia, variously translated as 'the First Mother' or the 'First Born (of Jupiter)' -- although some legends have her as the nurse of Jupiter. She is also the goddess who represent several Italian provinces. Moreover, anyone blessed with good luck was said to have a Fortuna. Roman emperors always kept a golden statuette of Fortuna in their sleeping quarters. Fortuna is the patroness of once-married matrons. She also is the patroness of bath-houses, purportedly to protect the vulnerability of naked men from evil influences. Depictions of Fortuna are with a wheel, a sphere, a ship's rudder and prow, and a cornucopia; she is often depicted with wings as well. Sources: The Pagan Book of Days by Nigel Pennick, Destiny Books, 2001. The Witches' Goddess by Janet and Stewart Farrar, Phoenix Publishing, 1987. Page last updated 26 Jul  2008 Website Design and Myths & Magic logo by Míchealín Daugherty Copyright © 2008 Ireland's OWN All Rights Reserved.