The Barbed Pentacle

"I said bite my neck!"

Many scholars suspect that most of our Valentine's Day traditions are derived from Roman Lupercalia practices.  Over the years, the original practices, which included racing around naked, killing dogs and goats, showering in blood, and lots of sex, has been toned down.  Thank the Victorians.  It's all their fault.

Then there's the St. Valentine issue...........

According to the best source for information on the web, Wikipedia, Valentine "was arrested and imprisoned upon being caught marrying Christian couples and otherwise aiding Christians who were at the time being persecuted by Claudius in Rome. Helping Christians at this time was considered a crime. Claudius took a liking to this prisoner – until Valentinus tried to convert the Emperor – whereupon this priest was condemned to death. He was beaten with clubs and stoned; when that failed to kill him, he was beheaded outside the Flaminian Gate. Various dates are given for the martyrdom or martyrdoms: 269, 270, or 273." 

However, which Valentine was it?  There are many different records from that time for many different churchmen named Valentine (and all the different variations) and very little is know about any of them.  Why did the Emperor Claudius make it illegal for folks to get married?  Because he didn't have saltpeter.  He felt that if his soldiers had wives at home, instead of just fun-time girls, that they would be distracted and lose their desire to fight his wars.  So, to make sure that this didn't happen, he outlawed marriage.  (Evidently, just like always in those early days, the Christians just couldn't follow the rules.  No wonder they lost their heads!)



So where does this leave us?  Personally, I say fuck Valentine!  Headless corpses can't tell you to stop!


The Sacred Marriage

  But seriously, as Pagans, Valentine's Day can be turned into a celebration of the Sacred Marriage between the Lord and Lady.  At this time in the wheel of the year, the Goddess is about to make her ascent up from the Underworld as the Maiden and the Lord is transforming from a child to a young man--ready to sow his oats! There's no reason why you and your chosen partner shouldn't do the same.
Whether you're bound to someone.....
Or footloose and fancy free to do as you please.
If you have a partner, something fun to do for them is to wrap yourself up as their present.

It lends itself to endless possibilities.  Or, if you're solo this year, try reconnecting to the sexual side of your chosen deities.

Your God.....
Or be adventurous and bi-curious and go for a Ménage à trois.
So, what do I want from my partner on Lupercalia/Valentine's Day?
I'm thinking about some knife play.........or maybe a tattoo.......
But most of all, I just want him to