Overview: Come enter the cave of destiny with the She-Wolf; she transcends timelines, space and dimensions to become your guide in remembering and embodying your unique purpose and path.

Verdict: Lupa: She-Wolf of Rome and Mother of Destiny is an exploration of the goddess Lupa. From wet nurse to a founder of Ancient Rome to modern-day teacher of embodiment practices, Lupa is a powerful goddess who promotes a life lived on purpose and for those who desire to discover and manifest their unique destiny.

So here in Pagan Portals - Lupa, you get to explore the mythos of Lupa and its meaning and importance for the Ancient Romans - as well as for you now. She is of central and vital importance not only to the history of Rome and the Ancient Roman empire but also to womankind.

As an ambassador for the Wolf Genius and essence, Lupa now comes forth to support the empowerment and healing of the inner and outer wild, primal feminine. Her deep howl from the cave is a call to her pack, and it asks you to step forward in alignment with your truth.

Century after century, she has stood watch over the Roman Forum, looking down from the Capitoline Hill. Many tourists walk right by her without a second glance. But, she is the very symbol of Rome. And to this day, she is very much beloved.

The Capitoline She-Wolf, also know as La Lupa, stands on a column next to the Palazzo Senatorio in Piazza del Campidoglio, on the top of Capitoline Hill. If you stand with your back to the giant steps leading up to the piazza, look beyond the equestrian statue of Marcus Aurelius. La Lupa is off to the left, on the side of the building, near a set of small stairs government officials frequently use to enter and exit the palazzo.

The side of the wall is filled with various plaques, detracting from the little statue of Rome’s “First Lady.”

So, who is the Capitoline She-Wolf? It’s a bit of a long story, but to summarize, the legend of Rome’s founding tells that an ancient king, Numitor, was overthrown by his brother Amulius in Alba Longa. Amulius decreed that Numitor’s twin grandsons, Romulus and Remus, should be dispatched by being placed into a basket to be thrown into the Tiber River.

However, like Moses, the twins somehow made it safely to riverbank, where they were found by the She-Wolf, who suckled them with her milk until they were found by a herdsman who raised them. Later, like Cain and Abel, Romulus slew his brother in a fit of rage. Fortunately for the rest of us, however, Romulus went on to found the city that still carries his name, erecting a hut on the Palatine Hill.

While we can’t be sure of the rest of the story, it is indeed true that the first settlement of Rome occurred on the Palatine Hill, above the oft swelling Tiber, where small round huts were built around 750 B.C.E. The statue on the column is a copy of the original, which is now housed in the Capitoline Museums, and has been dated to the 11th Century. The twin baby boys, which clearly have a different design, were added later.

Furthermore, the She-Wolf was the symbol of Rome even in ancient times and even today, if you look, you’ll find representations of her scattered throughout Rome. For she’s the symbol of the venerable soccer team, A.S. Roma and the women’s soccer team at the American University of Rome are the She-Wolves! Go She-Wolves!

In closing, this book contains tools and practices to support you in your journey with Lupa as you take those steps. Retelling her story is testament to her invaluable role as Mother of Destiny.

About the Author - Rachel is a writer, dance teacher and women’s empowerment coach. Rachel’s passion is to facilitate the awakening and empowerment of women through dance, movement, storytelling, and nature alchemy. She holds a Bachelors degree and Post Graduate Qualifications in History, Heritage and Religion. She lives in North Wales, UK.

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