Happy Festival of Lupercalia
Rather than focus on today being a celebration of a (three?) martyrs, one can focus on the original festival of Lupercalia, honoring Juno, Queen of the Roman gods. Per Wikipedia Plutarch wrote this of Lupercalia:
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.
Is this better than sending flowers and cards to celebrate the martyrdom of a cleric that conducted illegal marriages? Well, usually it's pretty cold in the US this early in the year, so I think running around naked is out. Cards and flowers it is!
Josh Poulson
Posted Wednesday, Feb 14 2007 02:45 PM
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