St Valentine's Day Pagan History: Bloody, Sexy and With a Touch of Vinegar

History in a nutshell: Starts with Roman fertility festival called Lupercalia dedicated to Faunus, god of agriculture, and the Roman founders Romulus and Remus and was celebrated on February 15.

Involves the slaying of goats and a dog, along with the priests using strips of the bloody goatskin to run naked/nearly naked thorough the center of town gently striking women on their exposed skin and crop fields to make them more fertile. Shortly after, young women in the city place their names in a big urn for the city’s bachelors to each choose a name and become paired for the year with the chosen partner. These matches often ended in marriage. Over time it became slightly less violent and involved dressed priests slapping women’s hands with a piece of bloodied goatskin.

This festivity survived until the rise of Christianity and was deemed ‘unchristian’ in the 5th century by Pope Gelasius who changed the date to February 14. He associated it with honoring the death of a priest named Valentine at the hands of the Romans. However, there were 3 priests named Valentine, all martyred, so it’s unclear which one they ‘re actually referring to.

In the Middle Ages France and England noted that on February 14, birds began their mating season. The idea of romance was added to the date. The poet Geoffrey Chaucer was the first to record St. Valentine’s Day as a day of romance in his 1375 hit poem “Parliament of Foules”. Cupid became associated with Valentine’s Day during the Hellenistic times. He was a Greek God of love and his arrows could either incite love or sow aversion. Later, he became the cutesy front man for Valentine’s Day with nothing but love arrows being shot from his bow.

 Valentine’s Day began to be a popular celebration in the 17th century and by the 18th century small tokens of affection or hand notes were exchanged. In the Victorian era, hoping to do one better, they developed cards trimmed in lace, feathers, flowers, and tinsel.  For those not on good terms with their previous partners or wanting to fend off an enemy or unwanted suitor, they created  ‘vinegar’ valentines. These became immensely popular and were often sent anonymously: “To My Valentine / ‘Tis a lemon that I hand you and bid you now ‘skidoo,’ Because I love another—there is no chance for you.” Today, Valentine’s Day is the second largest card-sending holiday of the year, right after Christmas.

So where do the chocolates and roses come in? Roses have been associated with matters of the heart for centuries in bouquet form and to eat. Members of the Rose family include Hawthorn, apples, pears, peaches, almonds - all the good stuff to make  delightful creations. Other herbs considered supportive for libido are Damiana, Horny Goat Weed, Muira Puama and Kava Kava to name a few. Last, but not least, is the magic of chocolate or cacao.  Here’s a recipe that brings several herbs together to tantalize the senses and evoke passion: Damiana, Ginger, Rose and Pink Peppercorn Aphrodisiac Truffles. Easy to make and delicious to eat.

We no longer sacrifice goats and dogs or strike people with bloodied strips of goat hide to induce fertility. Making truffles mixed with herbs is more civilized and more likely to result in a sensual response. Here’s to a more pleasing interpretation of a pagan ritual. Enjoy!