Lupercalia: A Pagan Way to Celebrate Love

Valentine’s Day, like many holidays with heavy Christian attachment, had intimate and long-standing pagan roots. Originally known as the holiday of Lupercalia, celebrated primarily in ancient pagan Rome, this holiday celebrated protection, fertility, sex, and love; until it was outlawed by Pope Gelasius I. In this article we will briefly observe the history of Lupercalia and lay out instructions for your own Lupercalian ritual!

The History

Lupercalia, also known as Lupercal, was observed on February 15th and meant to purify and promote the health and fertility of Rome. The festival was likely older than Rome itself, tracing back to pre-Roman pastoral traditions. It was dedicated to Lupercus, a god associated with fertility, shepherds, and wild animals, sometimes linked to Faunus, the Roman equivalent of Pan. The name Lupercalia comes from Lupercus and Lupercal, the cave where, according to legend, Romulus and Remus were suckled by the she-wolf (lupa).

Lupercus, God of Wolves and Fertility

Lupercalia is closely linked to Februa, an older purification festival that influenced both the Roman month of February (Februarius) and later Christian traditions like Lent and Candlemas.

The word "Februa" comes from the Latin verb "februare," meaning “to purify” or “to purge.” The festival was a time for ritual cleansing, fertility rites, and atonement, ensuring prosperity for the coming year. It was particularly associated with spring renewal and was likely inherited from pre-Roman Italic traditions. Februa was celebrated on or around February 15, coinciding with Lupercalia, which absorbed many of its elements. Over time, the two festivals became intertwined, with Lupercalia emphasizing fertility and physical purification, while Februa focused more on spiritual cleansing.

Festivities & Rituals

Lupercalia was overseen by a group of priests called the Luperci, divided into two main groups: the Quintilii and the Fabii (later joined by the Julian family). The festival began at the Lupercal cave on the Palatine Hill I mentioned earlier, which is the place where Rome’s founders were said to have been raised.

The main elements of the festival included:

• Animal Sacrifice – Priests would sacrifice goats (symbolizing fertility) and a dog (for purification).

• Blood Ritual – The Luperci would smear the blood of the sacrifices on their foreheads, then wipe it off with wool dipped in milk and honey while laughing. Laughter was a strange aspect of this part of the ritual, as after the sacramental blood was wiped, one would be expected to laugh out loud, symbolizing intense joy.

• Loincloths & Whipping – The priests would then cut strips of goat hide (known as februa, from which the original holiday of Februa got its name) and run through the city, gently striking women and bystanders. This was believed to promote fertility and ease childbirth. Women were known to willingly and consensually offer themselves to be slapped with the strips and took great enjoyment in the tradition. This was also said to help women have a smooth pregnancy.

• Matchmaking & Love – Though not originally part of the festival, by later centuries, there was a practice where young men and women were paired off by lottery, sometimes leading to marriage. Typically, names would be drawn from a bowl and couples would be paired up for a year, which would often lead to deeper partnerships.

Decline & Christianization

By the 5th century CE, Lupercalia was under pressure from Christianity. In 494 CE, Pope Gelasius I officially abolished the festival, replacing it with the Feast of the Purification of the Virgin Mary (later evolving into Candlemas). Some believe Valentine’s Day (February 14) was established as a Christian alternative to Lupercalia, though historical connections remain debated.

The denouncement and reconstruction of holy days, feasts, and pagan holidays was a deliberate and strategic act by Christians, especially the Catholic Church, meant to transition pagans to the Christian faith.

Saint Valentine was a prolific martyr in Christian history, as he was thrown into prison by Roman Emperor Claudius II for marrying couples together in the Christian faith and tradition. He was eventually executed for these crimes against Rome. According to his story, he left a note for a young woman before being taken to his execution that was signed “Your Valentine.” This of course played a large part in the evolution of Valentine’s Day festivities and the passing of Valentine’s Day letters and cards.

Pope Gelasius I

A Modern Lupercalian Ritual

The following is a simple ritual I have created to help you celebrate Lupercalia. Whether you are single or partnered, you can conduct this ritual to celebrate this joyous pagan holiday. This ritual blends ancient Roman traditions with contemporary spiritual practices, making it accessible and meaningful for solitary practitioners or groups.

For any supplies needed or steps taken, remember that nothing is so rigid that you cannot make substitutions or alterations based on your practice and preference. If you are not able to find an item for this ritual, substitute it with anything that comes close or is more personally suitable. If the steps are too laborous, or somehow not fitting your preference, any of them may be changed in any way. This ritual is for YOU and should fit YOUR practice. So if something doesn’t work, change it. That is the spirit of good magick.

If you’re in a position where you can’t perform this ritual physically, I suggest slipping into meditation or astral projection (if able) and simply visualize the entire ritual. Perform it astrally, or via meditation. The results will still be profound and valid.

Supplies Needed:

• Red and white candles (symbolizing passion and purity)

• Fresh spring water or rose water

• A bowl of milk and honey (offering to fertility and abundance)

• A branch of bay laurel or rosemary (for purification) You can usually find small rosemary branches at your local supermarket.

• A leather cord, red ribbon, or soft cloth strip (modern replacement for the Februa)

• A small fire-safe bowl or cauldron

• Optional: Wolf-themed imagery or statue to honor the Luperci

1. Preparation (Sunset or Moonrise is ideal for this ritual)

• Set up an altar with the candles, water, offering bowl, and any symbolic elements.

• Dress in white, red, or natural colors to honor the festival’s themes.

• Light incense (frankincense, myrrh, or rosemary) to cleanse the space.

• Meditate for a few minutes, focusing on renewal, purification, and primal energy.

2. Opening Invocation

Stand before your altar and light the red and white candles. Say:

"By the spirit of the Wolf, the fire of passion, and the waters of renewal, I call upon the ancient forces of Lupercalia. May this night cleanse, invigorate, and bless me."

Alternatively, you could replace the “spirit of the Wolf” with the name of any cherished entity you work with. Or, you could choose a wolf-themed or fertility-focused deity specifically. This is an optional tweak, of course. You may even choose to honor Faunus (Pan) and Juno Februata.

Next, pour a small amount of the spring or rose water over your hands and forehead, symbolizing purification.

3. Honoring the Wild & Primal Spirit

• If in a private space, engage in movement—dance, howl, or chant to awaken your primal self. You may optionally choose to “tread the circle” if you are working in a space where you can dance around your altar or sacred space. This involves running or dancing in a circle around your space while keeping your eyes on the center of the circle, and inducing a trance this way.

• Visualize connecting with the fierce vitality of the Luperci and the wolf spirit. You might choose to close your eyes and visualize a wolf or other spirit reaching out and touching you. I sometimes like to imagine that I am standing with a wolf and looking into its eyes.

Say:

"I embrace the wild within me, the force of untamed life. I honor the passion that drives me, the strength that sustains me."

4. Purification Rite

Take the bay laurel or rosemary branch, dip it into the water, and brush it over your body.

Recite:

"Let this water cleanse me of stagnation and doubt.

I release all that no longer serves me."

Burn the branch in the cauldron or fire-safe bowl, symbolizing release.

5. Blessing with the Februa (Ribbon or Leather Cord)

• Take the red ribbon or leather cord and gently brush it over your arms and legs, symbolizing the ancient practice of purification through touch.

• If with a partner or group, lightly tap each other’s arms or backs with it while laughing or chanting.

Say:

"With this touch, I welcome renewal. With this blessing, I call forth joy, passion, and abundance."

6. Offering & Gratitude

• Pour the milk and honey into the offering bowl.

• Say:"I give this offering in thanks for love, vitality, and prosperity. May the wild thrive, may my spirit be renewed."

• If outside, leave the offering near a tree or bury it in the earth.

7. Closing & Celebration

• Extinguish the candles, saying:

  
  

  "The light remains within me. The wild runs through me. The rite is done, yet the power lingers."

• Celebrate with a feast, music, or a sensual bath to embody the festival’s themes of joy and fertility.

8. (Optional) The Rite of Pleasure

You may wish to add an element of sex magick to your ritual. This can be done alone or with a partner or group. I recommend drawing a sigil of love or passion, which can be crafted according to however you prefer to create sigils. Alternatively, and especially if you follow a Nordic practice, create a bindrune for love or fertility. Paint these symbols on each other’s hand, forehead, chest, and/or womb area (or just your own).

I recommend lighting a new red or pink candle. One for yourself, and another for any other person partaking in this part of the ritual.

At this point, express your love either for yourself or the other person in whatever way feels comfortable. Then, engage in whatever sexual acts you feel comfortable with. When you are finished, blow out the candles and say: “By the power of the wild, by its rays of light, so mote this be, our union is true.”

Conclusion

Thank you for visiting the Cipher Grove blog today to learn about Lupercalia and its festivities and rituals. Please comment on this post any results or thoughts you would like to share!

Hail Satan

~ Dorian Dremaira