It is so interesting to look at the origins of our Holidays! Many historians believe that Valentine’s Day, long before the Christian Era, came from the pagan celebration of Lupercalia. Celebrated at the ides of February, or February 15, Lupercalia was a fertility festival dedicated to Faunus, the Roman god of agriculture.
To begin the festival, members of the Luperci, an order of Roman priests, would gather at a sacred cave. The priests performed numerous rituals, one of which resulted in procuring a goat hide. They would cut the goat’s hide into strips, and take to the streets, slapping both women and crop fields with the strips of goat hide.
Far from being fearful, Roman women welcomed the touch of the hides because it was believed to make them more fertile in the coming year. Later in the day, according to legend, all the young women in the city would place their names in a big urn. The city’s bachelors would each choose a name and become paired for the year with his chosen woman. These matches often ended in marriage.
There’s something to be said for ancient rituals and an authentic celebration, don’t you think? . I wonder of we can manage to find a strip of leather for tonight’s festivities? 
Happy Valentines Day to you. I think many of us are hoping for that strip of leather to tonight.
A tradition of whipping on the ides of February. Hmmm. Now that is a holiday my Dragon my be more willing the celebrate. Thanks for the history lesson.
So funny! Leather *is* my favorite, but I certainly don’t want to become more fertile!
Do you? lol
My little cherubs are all of “that kind” of love that I need right now! Seriously!
Happy Valentine’s Day!
Very interesting! Happy Valentine’s Day to you and Grant!
Happy Valentine’s Day Sara. I hope you find that piece of leather.
Have a wonderful evening.
Love,
Ronnie
xx
Yep Sunny Girl, I figured the leather would be on many wish lists!
D’s Rose, you think D will be on board with a new tradition?
Yeah Elysia, I was kinda skipping over that fertile part for myself!
Thanks Grace!
I hope you and P have a fun evening Ronnie!
Happy Valentines Day, Sara and Grant! There won’t be any leather whipping for me, but there WAS a delivery of a huge bouquet, and a vase and chocolates… bless him! xxxxxx
Ha! I don’t know about a strip of leather, however, I AM hoping for a very good girl hand spanking with lots of rubbing and wandering of hands (sorry, TMI). A happy pagan ritual evening to you and Grant.
Well, I know that we have plenty of leather around HERE for tonight!!
Happy Valentine’s Day to you and Grant!!
sarah
It makes sense to me!
This was very interesting. It’s funny how many ancient customs revolved around a this sort of activity.
Very interesting!! I’m not wanting a leather strap, I’ll take his hand… and I definitely don’t want any more babies but I’d love to die trying! *giggling*
Happy Valentines Day!!
Thanks for the history lesson; Happy Valentines Day to you and Grant!
Very nice Daisy!
Leni, I hope you get everything you wish for!
Yep, leather isn’t scarce around here either Sarah…but not sure about goat?
Serenity, I find the ancient rituals facinating!
Yeah, I’m well past the baby part too Mikki!
Happy V Day Jean!
What a novel way to celebrate the day after Valentine’s Day. I wonder if any of Ron’s belts are made from goathide. We just might have to improvise!
Hugs,
Hermione
Goat in mail
Sounds like a pragmatic way of going about things to me.Never mind the thought of more babies…could you begin to IMAGINE going through the whole dating game again?! My daily beauty routine is 7 mins.
(That’s 7 mins max)
Sarah,LD,UK
More fertile huh?
Does it have to be goat?
Such a quandary you leave me in Sara.
Ohhhh im so glad you posted this post. My hubby doesnt believe in valentines day – in his eyes its not one of the celebrated rituals like christmas, easter etc. I am so going to print this off for him – ha!!! He might like the idea of whippings on valentines day
Happy valentines day to you and Grant
love and hugs kiwi xxx
Enjoy,Sara!
saoirse (picking up a belt on my way out of the room …..)
I don’t think we have any goat hide either Hermione, but we can pretend.
Oops, Grant, you’ve got it covered?
Well Happy V day to you anyway Sarah!
Susie, I’m not exactly sure about the goat thing.
Kiwi, the man apparently needs a history lesson!!!
saoirse, I hope you had a nice one!
Interesting
Hope you and Grant had a lovely valentines day.
Dee x
I hope you and Grant had a great Valentine’s Day! M is out of town for the week due to work, so I spent the day (and evening) dealing with my two reasons for not wanting fertility!