Bona Dea:[ boh-nuh dey-uh ]

Origin: Latin: literally, (the) Good Goddess

noun

1 In Roman mythology, the goddess of women. A guardian of women throughout all of their stages. A symbol of chastity, fertility, and protection. Worshiped exclusively by women.

2 Men were barred from possessing any knowledge of The Bona Dea.

3 Twice a year, women gathered secretly at night to celebrate The Bona Dea. At these festivals, those in attendance would drink strong wine, dance, feast, and offer sacrifices. Rites forbidden them by Roman tradition and punishable by death. Women only. No men were allowed.