Neptune is the Roman God of the sea and of freshwater. His Greek counterpart was Poseidon.
Neptune is the brother of Jupiter and Pluto, Ceres, Juno, and Vesta. His parents are Saturn and Ops, and his wife is Salacia, the Goddess of salt water and the sea. Together they had several children, including Triton and Proteus, but like most Gods, Neptune had several illegitimate children. He consorted with Ceres whilst she was in horse form, giving birth to a magical horse named Arion who would sometimes pull Neptune's chariot along the surface of the sea. He also slept with Tyro in her river form, who gave birth to sons named Pelias and Neleus. With the sea nypmh Thoosa he birthed the Cyclops, and with Iphimedia he birthed two giants named Otus and Ephialtes.
There are several interpretations of his name, including 'the marriage of heaven and earth', 'moist', and child of water'.
As seems to be custom, many of the Greek myths surrounding Poseidon are associated with Neptune in the Roman mythos. For example, in the Greek mythos, Posidon and Athena compete over who should name Athens. In the Roman version of the tale, it is Neptune and Minerva. The Gods decided that whoever created the most useful object for humans would win the right to name the city. Neptune struck the ground with his trident and created the first horse, whilst Minerva created the olive tree. It was deemed that Minerva won, but humans kept Neptune's gift of the horse, and he taught them how to breed and ride them.
Neptune is the brother of Jupiter and Pluto, Ceres, Juno, and Vesta. His parents are Saturn and Ops, and his wife is Salacia, the Goddess of salt water and the sea. Together they had several children, including Triton and Proteus, but like most Gods, Neptune had several illegitimate children. He consorted with Ceres whilst she was in horse form, giving birth to a magical horse named Arion who would sometimes pull Neptune's chariot along the surface of the sea. He also slept with Tyro in her river form, who gave birth to sons named Pelias and Neleus. With the sea nypmh Thoosa he birthed the Cyclops, and with Iphimedia he birthed two giants named Otus and Ephialtes.
There are several interpretations of his name, including 'the marriage of heaven and earth', 'moist', and child of water'.
As seems to be custom, many of the Greek myths surrounding Poseidon are associated with Neptune in the Roman mythos. For example, in the Greek mythos, Posidon and Athena compete over who should name Athens. In the Roman version of the tale, it is Neptune and Minerva. The Gods decided that whoever created the most useful object for humans would win the right to name the city. Neptune struck the ground with his trident and created the first horse, whilst Minerva created the olive tree. It was deemed that Minerva won, but humans kept Neptune's gift of the horse, and he taught them how to breed and ride them.
There are several festivals dedicated to, or associated with Neptune. These include Neptunalia which is held during the height of summer, usually on July 23rd. Here, Neptune would be honoured to help bring water during the intense heat and possible droughts. A bull would be sacrificed to Neptune, and it is believed that this was in order to promote agriculture fertility. As far as we know, he only had one temple dedicated to him in Rome, which stood at a Roman racetrack, emphasising his connection with horses.
He is often depicted similarly to Poseidon, and carrying the three-pronged trident that we have already mentioned. Whilst there are tales of Neptune punishing those that cross him, there are also tales of him helping those whom he deems worthy, by helping them cross stormy seas. Despite being an important deity, the Romans were not prominent sailors as the Greeks were, so he never quite rose to the levels of worship that Poseidon did, which may explain why only the one temple to him has been found so far.
Neptune is a great deity to work with to help you connect to water, as he rules over both salt water and freshwater, and all of the creatures that reside within them. He is great for those in a leadership role who may need to be more assertive, or who may need support through chaotic times.
He is often depicted similarly to Poseidon, and carrying the three-pronged trident that we have already mentioned. Whilst there are tales of Neptune punishing those that cross him, there are also tales of him helping those whom he deems worthy, by helping them cross stormy seas. Despite being an important deity, the Romans were not prominent sailors as the Greeks were, so he never quite rose to the levels of worship that Poseidon did, which may explain why only the one temple to him has been found so far.
Neptune is a great deity to work with to help you connect to water, as he rules over both salt water and freshwater, and all of the creatures that reside within them. He is great for those in a leadership role who may need to be more assertive, or who may need support through chaotic times.
