The True Meaning of Valentine's Day

One of my best friends wrote this last year and I thought I'd let everyone know the true meaning of Valentine's Day.

This year lets talk origins.

Todays modern holidays closest antecedent was the ever delightful Lupercalia
festival. Actually predating Rome, its original god(dess) of worship is
unsure; however most agree that it represents a time of purification and joy
in the coming year. So what did they do? Same things we do today ; a little
cleaning, a few parties, and blood sacrifice.

Now, back in the day, there is little doubt that this was a human sacrifice,
but by the time Remus and Romulus are suckling ol' Mama Lupas teat (I'm not
being gross or metaphorical here people; its history, learn it) the yearly
sacrifice is a goat and one or two dogs. One of the Luperci, a powerful
order of Roman priests, was lead naked to a cave in Palantine Hill (said to
be the same site of afore mentioned suckled Lupa teat ) where the sacrifices
were made. The blood of the sacrifice was wiped on the forehead of the
priest with the sacrificial knife, while the priest laughed. This was
actually part of the ritual. To be jovial was a sign that the gods were
pleased and therefore approved. Vestial virgins then wiped the blood off of
the priests forehead with cotton dipped in milk, after which the priests
loins were covered with part of the goats skin and the rest was made into a
many thonged whip.

Now here's where it gets interesting.


The whip is dipped in blood and the priest runs a specific path thru the
city, whipping and getting good old fashioned sacrificial blood on everyone
he passes, but most especially the women as its supposed to make them pure
and fertial. Naturally, women line the path of the loin-cloth whipper priest
for the blessing of a good bloody fertial whipping. It was considered the
highlight of the festival. After that a large container, holding the names
of all the single women in the area was brought out. All the single men drew
a name and that girl became the young mans lover, for the day, for the year
and sometimes for life. (this is probably the origin of the Valentines day
card). The date this occurred? February 15th.

Why the change? The Christians found the holiday distasteful and tried to
christianise it. They found a saint (three actually) and changed the date to
the 14th, most likely do to Chaucers love birds. And what of all this? Well
geeze people, either look it up yourselves or wait til next year.

The point here is to you ladies. If your particular valentine seemingly
"forgot" a gift or date on the 14th and then "remembered" on the 15th, why
he just an old fashioned love sick nostalgic.

Probably the same if he brought a whip.