THE RITES
Ovid notes that at this festival it was the custom to appease or expel the evil spirits by walking barefoot and throwing black beans over the shoulder at night. Other accounts mention the beans being spit out of the mouth. The beans were symbols of offering so – the shoulder makes more sense.
It is important to remember that this festival was private and domestic rather than civic or public.
So, it was the head of the household (which may vary depending on the household) who was responsible for getting up at night and walking around the house throwing black beans and repeating the following incantation nine times.
“I send these; with these beans, I redeem me and mine”
Haec ego mitto; his redimo meque meosque fabis