In Roman mythology, Cardea was the goddess of health, thresholds and door hinges and handles, also associated with the wind. Her name comes from cardo, meaning door-pivot. She protected children against vampires and witches, and was also the benfactress of craftsmen. Her cult was important in ancient Rome, and was worshipped at the Beltane festival and during June, both of which were seen as a metphorical "hinge" for the year. Masks, balls and figurines (oscilla) were hung from doorways or trees to encourage crop growth in reverence to her. The hawthorn tree was sacred to her. Roman mythology can be considered as two parts. ... A goddess, a female deity, contrasts with male deities, known as gods. A great many cultures have their own goddesses, sometimes alone, but more often as part of a larger pantheon that includes both of the conventional genders and in some cases even hermaphroditic deities. ... Look up Threshold in Wiktionary, the free dictionary A threshold is a fixed location or value where an abrupt change is observed. ... The front door of a house is often decorated to appear inviting. ... A hinge is a mechanical device that connects two solid objects, allowing a relative motion between them. ... Look up Handle in Wiktionary, the free dictionary A handle may refer to any of several things: For a device attached to a movable object, that is gripped to move or use the object, see handle (grip). ... Wind is the quasi-horizontal movement of air (as opposed to an air current) caused by a horizontal pressure gradient force. ... Count Orlok from Nosferatu A vampire is a mythical or folkloric creature said to subsist on human and/or animal blood often having magical powers and the ability to transform. ... This article is part of the Witchcraft series. ... In traditional usage, the cult of a religion, quite apart from its sacred writings (scriptures), its theology or myths, or the personal faith of its believers, is the totality of external religious practice and observance, the neglect of which is the definition of impiety. ... History - Ancient history - Ancient Rome This is a List of Ancient Rome-related topics, that aims to include aspects of both the Ancient Roman Republic and Roman Empire. ... Beltane or Beltaine (from Irish Bealtaine or Scottish Gaelic Bealtuinn; both from Old Irish Beltene, bright fire from *belo_te(p)niâ) is an ancient Gaelic holiday celebrated around May 1. ... Masks in a Guatemalan Market Teen reading a book, while wearing a dinosaur mask A mask is a piece of material or kit worn on the face. ... Species See text. ...

Ovid said of Cardea, in what is apparently a religious formula, "Her power is to open what is shut; to shut what is open." For other uses, see Ovid (disambiguation) Engraved frontispiece of George Sandyss 1640 London edition of Ovids Metamorphoses Publius Ovidius Naso, ( March 20, 43 BC – AD 17) Roman poet known to the English-speaking world as Ovid, wrote on topics of love, abandoned women, and mythological transformations. ...

She was originally the nymph Carna until Janus gave her power over door handles and hinges and status as the protectress of children. For other uses of nymph see Nymph (disambiguation). ... Carna refers to two distinct women from Roman mythology. ... In Roman mythology, Janus was the god of gates, doors, doorways, beginnings, and endings. ...