The epithet "Lucina" is particularly revealing since it reflects two interrelated aspects of the function of Juno: cyclical renewal of time in the waning and waxing of the moon and protection of delivery and birth (as she who brings to light the newborn as vigour, vital force). The ancient called her "Covella" in her function of helper in the "labours" of the new moon. The view that she was also a Moon goddess though is no longer accepted by scholars, as such a role belongs to Diana "Lucifera": through her association with the moon she governed the feminine physiological functions, menstrual cycle and pregnancy: as a rule all lunar deities are deities of childbirth. These aspects of Juno mark the heavenly and worldly sides of her function. She is thus associated to all beginnings and hers are the kalendae of every month: at Laurentum she was known as "Kalendaris Iuno" (Juno of the Kalends). At Rome on the Kalends of every month the "pontifex minor" invoked her, under the epithet "Covella", when from the "curia Calabra" he announced the date of the "nonae". On the same day the "regina sacrorum" sacrificed to Juno a white sow or lamb in the Regia. She is closely associated with Janus, the god of passages and beginnings who after her is often named "Iunonius".