St Valentines Day, Festival of the Matchmakers

There are as many as eight possible Valentines Day origins and the three most likely contenders were all early church martyrs.

However, before the Christian Saints, the day started as a festival to honour Juno, Queen of the Roman deities. Juno was sister and consort of Jupiter, mother of Mars, and one of the most important of the Roman pantheon. She had many duties, each with an associated title, as a protector of the Roman people she was Juno Regina, advisor to those about to marry as Juno Moneta and as goddess of Roman women and childbirth, Juno Lucina. From her title "Juno Moneta" we get the word "money" because the Roman mint was built close to one of her temples. For most Romans she was a protector of women as the goddess of marriage, fertility and all aspects of pregnancy and childbirth

Her day was 14 February and the following day was the Feast of Lupercalia.

Lupercalia began at the Ides of February. Members of the Luperci, an order of Roman priests, would gather at the sacred cave where the infants Romulus and Remus, the founders of Rome, were believed to have been cared for by a she-wolf or lupa. The priests would then sacrifice a goat, for fertility, and a dog, for purification.

Young men then sliced the goat's hide into strips, dipped them in the sacrificial blood and took to the streets, gently slapping both women and fields of crops with the goathide strips to encourage fertility in the coming year.

Lupercalia was also celebrated as a young lovers' festival with a novel matchmaking game. On the eve of the festival of Lupercalia the names of the eligible daughters of Rome were written on slips of paper and placed into jars. Each young man would draw a girl's name from the jar and the two would then be partners for the duration of the festival.

In 496 CE, Pope Gelasius changed the date of the Lupercalia festival to Saint Valentine's Day, February 14. Associating the matchmaking feast with the martyrdom of Valentine was convenient because the days were almost identical.

So traditionally, mid-February was a Roman time to meet and court prospective mates. More than fifteen hundred years later we continue the tradition

In the Middle Ages, young men and women drew names from a bowl to see who their Valentines would be. They would wear these names on their sleeves for one week. To wear your heart on your sleeve now means that it is easy for other people to know how you are feeling, that you are ready to fall a victim to romantic love. Is your heart on your sleeve ?

Susanna Duffy is a Civil Celebrant, grief counsellor and mythologist. She creates ceremonies and Rites of Passage for individual and civic functions, and specialises in celebrations for women. http://celebrant.yarralink.com

---

Reduce Waste This Christmas

- Christmas is responsible for more waste and consumption than... Read More

Mommy...Daddy...Is There Really A Santa Claus?

Is there really a Santa Claus? Any parent who hasn't... Read More

Ready to Skip This Holiday? Why No Just Make It Your Own?

Do you feel panicked, or exicted? Are you experiencing joy... Read More

Happy New Year for 2005

It is 7:45 a.m. in Port Moody, British Columbia Canada,... Read More

Santa Goes Low Carb!

North Pole- The word is out! Due to an "unpublished... Read More

Dont Want Another Carpet Sweeper This Year For Christmas?

Unique "Drop-A-Hint" Plan Sends Your Gift Wishes Via E-mailSure, they... Read More

Birthday Gift Baskets ? The Ideal Gift For Everyone!

No matter how old we are, we enjoy being remembered... Read More

Tribute to Dad

Father's Day should not be the only day that we... Read More

Contact Lenses for Halloween

It is never too soon to begin planning the perfect... Read More

How to Create an Irresistible Valentine?s Day Centerpiece

Valentine's Day is just around the corner which of course... Read More

Mothers Day Gift Ideas

Do you remember the days when your mother used to... Read More

Holiday Promotion Tips

Are you ready for Mother's Day? Yes I realize it's... Read More

Terrible at choosing gifts?

Need help with gifts? Not everyone is good at choosing... Read More

The Five Best Cigar-Related Fathers Day Gifts

According to a recent study by the internet cigar retailer... Read More

Keepsake Christmas Album

Do you hate throwing your Christmas cards away every year... Read More

Is Buying a Gift for Mom as Difficult for You as it is for Me?

I have walked through a countless number of stores searching... Read More

Simplify the Season

Let's take a look at a typical Christmas To-Do list:... Read More

2 Quick and Easy Halloween Crafts

Making Halloween crafts can really get you into a festive... Read More

5 Ways to Having the Happiest Valentines Day Ever (even if youre alone)

The thought of Valentine's Day conjures up romantic evenings, a... Read More

Hoo Hoo ? Owls and Superstitions, Thats Who

Superstitions surrounding owls have a long and ancient history. These... Read More

Create Warm Memories with Holiday Traditions

I remember just a handful of the Christmas presents I... Read More

Fun, Fireworks, & Flowers!

The 4th of July is a time for celebrating Freedom!... Read More

Rubber Stamping and Scrapbooking will Bring the Family Together During The Holidays

No matter what celebration you and your family will rejoice... Read More

Is Labor Day Passe

In a word, yes !Labor Day, which started in 1882... Read More

The Holiday Army

Here it comes again - the Holiday Army - in... Read More

Wake Up ? Its Almost Fathers Day

Father's Day is approaching fast. In the USA it falls... Read More

Mothers Day is coming-Dont Blow It!

Mother's Day is May 8th. And, you do realize all... Read More

New Year?s Resolution: Love Your Body!

Ah, the beginning of a New Year. A time to... Read More

Fathers Day Origins and Inspiration

While mothers have had their special day since 1914, fathers... Read More

Nicely Designed Pillows As Gifts

Many of us are probably squeezing out our brains to... Read More

Perfect Presents for Mom

Every year we search our brains for a unique, exciting... Read More

SALOME and HERODIAS, A Curious Mothers Day Story, Part 2 of 2 Parts

First, a disclaimer:This article requires information about John the Baptist,... Read More

Marching Towards Mothers Day

"Mother: the most beautiful word on the lips of mankind."... Read More