Its Valentines Day Today

Today is Valentine's Day

The origins of Valantine's Day date prior to Jesus' Birth with the Pagan ritual known as Lupercalia which replaced a ritual called Februa which is where we get the Month February from. Lupercalia  seems to be in honor of the Pagan God Lupercus, the God of Shepards. The ritual seems to be made in honor of Lupa the she wolf who found Romulus and Remus who were left at the Tiber River in Italy and raised them until the Shephard Faustulus found them and raised them in place of Lupa.

The ritual goes like this: between 13-15th February the Pagans would sacrifice two male goats and a dog. They would then annoint two patrician Luperci with the blood of the animals and these two were expected to smile and laugh. Afterwards women would cue to be whipped by these two who would dress themselves with the skins of the goats they sacrificed, with the hope that this would boast their fertility and help with their child birth pains.

In 5th Century AD The Roman Catholic Church decided to create Valentine's Day to Christianise the Pagan celebration. There was more then one Saint Valentine, one of them was known to make underground marriages which was outlawed by Emperor Claudia II outlawed marriages to soldiers believing that Single soldiers would perform better in war then married ones.

It was Valentine's Day that saved the card industry and helps restaurents boost business. Needless to say this celebration has been heavily commercialised. Since today was Sunday the holiday was recognised and celebrated in my Church.

Of course because of the Pagan roots of Valentine's Day I'm obviously worried about getting involved with this holiday.

Have I got a valentine? I kind off do. There are multiple problems with her that I plan to discuss another time.