Pagan origins of Valentines

The pagan origins of Valentine's Day are primarily linked to the ancient Roman festival of Lupercalia, held from February 13 to 15 as far back as the 6th century B.C.

Core Pagan Roots

The festival was dedicated to gods like Lupercus (god of fertility and shepherds), Faunus (god of agriculture), Juno (goddess of women and marriage), and Pan (god of nature). It also commemorated Rome's legendary founders, Romulus and Remus, who were said to be nurtured by a she-wolf at the Lupercal cave.

Priests called Luperci sacrificed goats (for fertility) smearing blood on young men's foreheads before wiping it with milk-soaked wool.

Luperci would run through Rome's streets, striking women with strips of goat hide to enhance fertility or ease childbirth.

Women's names would be placed in an urn for men to draw, pairing couples for the festival (often leading to marriage).

In A.D. 496, Pope Gelasius I banned Lupercalia and replaced it with St. Valentine's Day on February 14, tying it to the martyrdom of St. Valentine.

While the pagan rituals were suppressed, some themes like pairing and fertility symbolism persisted and evolved into modern romantic traditions.

Rituals and Spells for 14th February:

New Beginnings:

Instead of the historic, violent Lupercalia, modern pagans may practice symbolic energy cleansing or a "ritual bath" to purify themselves for new beginnings, aligning with the February themes of fertility and spring.

Sweet Love:

Use honey (to sweeten a relationship) or sugar to draw in a new partner.

Combine with herbs like rose petals or lavender and charge them with your intention, focusing on embodying the love you wish to attract.

Goddess Love Spell:

Prepare a pink or red candle and carve your name, or a symbol for a desired partner, into it.

Offer the rose to the deity (Aphrodite, Venus, or Freya) on your altar.

Light the candle and meditate on your intentions, asking for their blessing in fostering love.

For all your ritual supplies and advice pop along to Nemetona - something magical in Montrose