Lupercalia, February 15
The Feast of Lupercalia was an ancient Roman pastoral festival. Traces of this festival go back to 6th century BCE. The festival was originally known as Februa and was for the purification instruments called februa. The festival chased off evil spirits and purified the city, bringing good health and fertility.
Lupercalia honored Lycaeus, the wolf mother who rescued and cared for Romulus and Remus, the founders of Rome. The brothers were found at the base of Palatine Hill, where Rome was founded. The she-wolf took them to a cave, which was later named Lupercal cave.
The festival opened with sacrificial rituals. These took place in three main locations: Lupercal cave, the Palatine Hill, and the Forum. Male goats and a dog, representing sexuality, were sacrificed. Next came a huge feast. This was followed by cutting the goat skins into long strips. Men chased woman around lashing them with the strips. Women purposely let themselves be whipped to insure fertility.
In the name of Februata Juno (also known as Lupercus), the goddess of fertility, men pulled names from a jar then spent the day with the woman whose name they pulled. Often the couple stayed together until the next year’s festival. They were allowed freedom to do whatever they wanted with each other.