Question about Feb. 14

[hermetic]

Does this have anything to do with Aphrodite? Or Eros?

Or is it just a Hallmark holiday? Just wondering.

[Matariki]

1. Here you go:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valentines_Day


Still, IMO it's a Hallmark holiday no matter what it's history. My beau and i ignore it - can't stand being emotionally blackmailed into spend money.

[hermetic]

2. A better link

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valentine%27s_Day

In Ancient Rome, February 15 was Lupercalia, an archaic rite connected to fertility, without overtones of romance. Plutarch wrote:

Lupercalia, of which many write that it was anciently celebrated by shepherds, and has also some connection with the Arcadian Lycaea. At this time many of the noble youths and of the magistrates run up and down through the city naked, for sport and laughter striking those they meet with shaggy thongs. And many women of rank also purposely get in their way, and like children at school present their hands to be struck, believing that the pregnant will thus be helped in delivery, and the barren to pregnancy.<3>

The word Lupercalia comes from lupus, or wolf, so the holiday may be connected with the legendary wolf that suckled Romulus and Remus.

Cool. Naked running and wolves. Much better than Hallmark.

[Matariki]

3. Thanks. I always forget about copy and pasting wiki links.

Now if I could get my boyfriend to run around naked and swat me with a 'shaggy thong', I'd consider celebrating Valentine's day :evilgrin:

[ccpup]

4. ah ... being swatted by shaggy thongs

those were the days :evilgrin: