LUPERCALIA AKA WITCHES’ VALENTINES DAY
Posted by Brittany Cooper on
We just celebrated Valentine’s Day a few days ago, and although this day of love shares its name with the martyred Christian Saint Valentine, the holiday actually originated from an ancient Pagan festival known as Lupercalia. Lupercalia was held annually in Rome on February 15, and was a celebration consisting of blood sacrifice, sex magick, and random matchmaking - to ward off evil spirits and purify the city, setting intentions of health and fertility.
Animals were sacrificed and their skins used as whips during sex rituals, which was believed to increase fertility.
In ancient Pagan Rome, February was sacred to “Juno Februata” , the goddess of fever of love, marriage, and women.
The story of Saint Valentine, a priest who was forbidden from marrying couples but did it for many in secret and was killed for it, was only celebrated on February 14th because the Pagans already observed their fertility festival around this time.
Interesting to see how our holidays have evolved... I love learning the traditions and ancient ways of my ancestors.
Pay attention to the holidays we celebrate today. They all have deeper origins than we know. Next time you think it’s all a made-up “Hallmark Holiday” , think again! (It’s probably Pagan) 🖤