From Lupercalia to Love: The Surprising Origins of Valentine's Day
Valentine's Day is associated with love and romance, but the holiday has a rich and sometimes dark history that dates back to pagan times. From pagan rituals and animal sacrifices to secret marriages and gothic celebrations, the story of Valentine's Day is one that is sure to leave a lasting impression.
The Ancient Roman Festival of Lupercalia
The origins of Valentine's Day can be traced back to the ancient Roman festival of Lupercalia, which was celebrated in mid-February and was known for its pagan rituals and animal sacrifices. Lupercalia was a festival dedicated to the Roman god Lupercus, the god of fertility, and the festival was believed to bring about increased fertility and good luck for the coming year
During the festival, young men would apparently draw the names of women from a box and pair up with them for the duration of the festival. Some of these relationships would lead to love and marriage, while others would be purely for the purposes of the festival. The festival also included animal sacrifices and feasting, as well as a procession through the streets where men would whip women with goatskin whips as a symbol of fertility and good luck.
Despite the pagan origins of Lupercalia, the festival was widely celebrated by the ancient Romans and was considered one of the most important holidays of the year. It was a time of revelry and celebration, with people coming together to celebrate the coming of spring and the renewal of life.
Today, Lupercalia may be a distant memory, but its legacy may well live on in the celebration of Valentine's Day. While the holiday has changed over the centuries, the spirit of love and fertility remains at the heart of this celebration, reminding us of the rich cultural heritage that has been passed down through the ages.
The Christianization of Lupercalia
In the 5th century, the Roman Empire became Christian, and the Church sought to replace Lupercalia with a Christian holiday honoring Saint Valentine, a martyr who was executed for secretly marrying couples during a time when marriage was banned by the Roman Emperor Claudius II. Despite the efforts of the Church, many of the pagan rituals and customs associated with Lupercalia were still practiced, and the holiday continued to be celebrated as a time of fertility and good luck.
The Uncertain Origins of Valentine's Day
While the connection between Lupercalia and Valentine's Day has been widely accepted by scholars and history buffs, it's important to note that the exact origins of the holiday are still shrouded in mystery. There are many different theories about how Lupercalia transformed into the celebration of love and romance that we know today, and it's difficult to say for certain which parts of the festival actually made it into the modern holiday
Additionally, it's worth considering that some of the more gothic and depraved aspects of Lupercalia might have been added later by scholars looking to paint the ancient Romans in a negative light. This is a common practice in the study of history, where certain aspects of a culture are emphasized or exaggerated in order to fit a certain narrative or agenda.
So, while the connection between Lupercalia and Valentine's Day is certainly intriguing, it's important to keep in mind that the exact origins of the holiday may never be fully understood. Nevertheless, the celebration of love and romance remains at the heart of this beloved holiday, and it continues to be a time for people to come together and celebrate the power of love and connection.
The Emergence of Courtly Love
As the centuries passed, the holiday continued to evolve. By the 14th and 15th centuries, courtly love had become popular in Europe, and Valentine's Day became associated with the exchange of love letters and poems. During this time, the holiday was celebrated as a way of expressing affection between lovers, and the gothic and macabre became popular themes in Valentine's Day celebrations.
The Commercialization of Valentine's Day
By the 18th and 19th centuries, Valentine's Day had become a commercialized holiday celebrated with the exchange of cards, flowers, and gifts. This was also a time when the darker aspects of the holiday were embraced, with the gothic and macabre becoming popular themes in Valentine's Day celebrations.
Today, Valentine's Day is celebrated in many different ways, from romantic dinners and candlelit baths to adventurous getaways and unique gifts. Whether you celebrate with love, gifts, or rituals, the spirit of Lupercalia lives on in this beloved holiday.
Conclusion
So the next time you celebrate Valentine's Day, take a moment to think about its pagan origins and the rich cultural heritage that has been passed down through the ages. From pagan rituals and animal sacrifices to secret marriages and gothic celebrations, the story of Valentine's Day is a fascinating and entertaining one that is sure to leave a lasting impression. Whether you're a romantic at heart or simply a lover of history and tradition, the pagan roots of this holiday are sure to captivate and inspire you.
Seven Alternative Secret Santa Gift Ideas 2021
Every office has that one person who’s maybe a little bit...unusual. The one with a desk covered in crystals who can tell you where Mercury is at any given time (if your workplace doesn’t have one, it’s probably you!).
Every office has that one person who’s maybe a little bit...unusual. The one with a desk covered in crystals who can tell you where Mercury is at any given time (if your workplace doesn’t have one, it’s probably you!).
With Christmas approaching, you might have drawn this person in the office Secret Santa - or you might just want a Christmas present idea that’s a bit off the beaten track. Or you might want to make sure whoever picked your name has some ideas! Here are our top seven Secret Santa gift ideas for the alternative person in the group. All less than £15, so just right for an unusual gift or alternative stocking filler.
Heart Shaped Stones
Quartz and Obsidian have plenty of esoteric meaning and uses, but even apart from all of that, they’re great to sit and rub between your fingers to help relax. Running your finger over its smooth surface can help keep you grounded and present in the moment.
Incense burner
We all love a nice smell and these incense burners will make an impression while they spread their delicate fragrance. You can watch the smoke flow like water down the pebbles, slowly meandering and swirling into the pull. Great to help wind down and relax after a long day’s work.
Cauldron Plant Pots
These would be great for growing a succulent or plant in an office. Made from black terracotta with a silver design on the front, these cute plant pots are shaped like a classic witch’s cauldron. Many studies have shown the benefits of plants in an office environment, or these would be great at home too. As well as a decorative piece, they would look great on an altar for a practicing witch.
Zodiac Necklace
If you know your friend’s astrological sign, these necklaces would make an adorable gift. Each one has the traditional symbol for the sign on a chain, a delightful gift for anyone with even a passing interest in astrology.
Palmistry Hand
This would make a beautiful gift for someone with any interest in the occult, esoteric or just the unusual. Based on a traditional design, these have been reimagined with contemporary styling. Available in black or white, they show the major lines in palmistry. They’d make a great decorative piece or would be a useful holder for jewellery, trinkets or even to hold business cards.
Soap Flower Bouquet
A bouquet of flowers is a lovely gift - until they wither and die in front of your very eyes. These unique flowers are made of fine soap. Add a few petals to your bath and watch them dissolve. An excellent gift for anyone who likes to relax and wind down in a bath. They look just like real flowers but are far more useful. They’re also more environmentally friendly than having cut flowers shipped by air from the other side of the world.
Tarot Reading
Everyone has questions and issues they want to address in their lives. Give someone the gift of insight with a full length tarot reading. They can send a question and we’ll reply with the answer the cards give. Readings are done in writing and sent over email so they can digest it at their own pace.
Have you had any weird secret santa gifts? Wish someone had read this first? Let us know - and don’t forget to share if you need to drop some hints 😉 🎁 🔮
3 Lessons Of The Fool | Tarot Teachings
Tarot readings can seem esoteric and mystical, but they’re all about real people in real situations. In this series of posts, I want to take a look at some of the practical tips and life lessons that are hiding away in these 78 images.
The Fool is the first card of the major arcana - and the last. Like most things in life, we see a cycle rather than a linear progression. While none of us would like to be described as a fool, they have lots of attributes that are valuable and can be useful for us to take on.
Beginner’s mind
If you have any background in Japanese martial arts, you might recognise this as shoshin. The idea is that to learn something new, you have to forget what you already know. If you approach learning with a full cup, you have no space to take anything in properly.
It’s easy to fall into the trap of doing things the way we know and ignoring new options.
“In the beginner's mind, there are many possibilities, in the expert's mind there are few.”
Next time you’re trying something new, make sure to empty your mind and be the Fool.
Look before you leap...
The Fool is so excited to start their journey, taking in every new experience, that they’re close to the edge of a precipice and not even looking. Their dog is trying to warn them, but they’re not paying any attention.
It’s easy to get caught up looking to the bigger picture and not notice that we’re about to trip up. Keep your eyes on the prize, but watch your feet too.
New adventures are great, but there’s a danger that we can get so caught up in it that we miss the dangers. Keep an eye on the practicalities and listen to people close to you who might be warning you of dangers.
...but remember to leap!
For me, this is the most important message of the Fool. Yes, approach things with a beginner’s mind. Yes, make sure you watch where you’re going on new adventures. The important thing is that we go on these adventures.
The Fool doesn’t wait for the perfect circumstances. They know we might never be happy with our financial situation, or things might never settle down the way we want to. The Fool takes the journey knowing that they can sort out the details later.
The Fool looks forwards to their dreams and doesn’t get caught up in the details because they know that they might not get another chance.
I hope you’ve enjoyed this little stroll through the world of the Fool.
Take a look at the image of the Fool - what else comes to mind? Could you apply this to your own life? Let me know in the comments.
If you think it would be useful to anyone else you know, please share it on social media.
~andrew