Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Lupercalia for the Modern Wolf
The ancient Roman festival of Lupercalia, or the "Wolf Festival", is said to have been celebrated every year between the 13th and the 15th of February to honor Lupa, the she-wolf who suckled Romulus and Remus, the city's founders, after they had been orphaned. Other reasons for this festival included ensuring fertility, warding off evil spirits, and the purification of the city and her people. The festival is also associated with the modern "holiday" of Valentine's Day. Originally, a fertility ritual was performed so that the women of Rome could conceive children easily.
While red roses and delicious chocolates are a hallmark for the modern celebration of Valentine's Day, the ancient festival began with a sacrifice of two male goats and a dog performed by the Luperci ("brothers of the Wolf") followed by a rite in which two young members would strip naked, brandish strips of skin from the earlier sacrifices, and run amuck, striking women who would line up to receive lashings from the pair in order to better their chances of pregnancy and eliminate the pains of childbirth.
History and tradition are important in ritual, yet it is impossible for the modern lycanthrope to follow the festival of Lupercalia to the letter. First, we do not condone the sacrifice of animals, or any other living creature, for that matter. And secondly, running throughout the streets naked, touching women in a sexual manner will most likely land you a trip to the local police station, as it should! One of the most important points to remember is that with time, rites should be updated to better suit current societal expectations. Simply put, it is positive and healthy to update our practices to best suit us in the here and now. This includes respect and reverence for all individuals and animals. Our ancestors and predecessors in the art of sorcery created these rituals as a means that best suited their time and their need, thus we must do the same!
Today we can honor Lupa by honoring the Wolf within and in its natural habitat. Focal point should be on the preservation of, health and well being of, and continued vitality of wolves in the wild. Wolves are currently in danger of becoming extinct--again! By sending forth our Will and energy into the Universe, we are contributing to the longevity of ourselves as well as our four legged brothers and sisters. Another point in practicing a modern festival of Lupercalia is that of strengthening our bonds, both spiritually and physically, with the Wolf. On a physical, dayside level, we can donate our time, energy, and money to wolf sanctuaries throughout the world who have dedicated their lives to ensuring a healthy environment for wolves. With our spiritual, nightside time we should mediate, connecting with the spirit of the wolf within us. Our connection with these beautiful creatures in nothing short of sacred and must be treated as such. Lastly, our modern rite should include continued growth and understanding of ourselves so that we may further evolve, embracing the Wolf within. Always remember to HOWL! You will be heard!
While red roses and delicious chocolates are a hallmark for the modern celebration of Valentine's Day, the ancient festival began with a sacrifice of two male goats and a dog performed by the Luperci ("brothers of the Wolf") followed by a rite in which two young members would strip naked, brandish strips of skin from the earlier sacrifices, and run amuck, striking women who would line up to receive lashings from the pair in order to better their chances of pregnancy and eliminate the pains of childbirth.
History and tradition are important in ritual, yet it is impossible for the modern lycanthrope to follow the festival of Lupercalia to the letter. First, we do not condone the sacrifice of animals, or any other living creature, for that matter. And secondly, running throughout the streets naked, touching women in a sexual manner will most likely land you a trip to the local police station, as it should! One of the most important points to remember is that with time, rites should be updated to better suit current societal expectations. Simply put, it is positive and healthy to update our practices to best suit us in the here and now. This includes respect and reverence for all individuals and animals. Our ancestors and predecessors in the art of sorcery created these rituals as a means that best suited their time and their need, thus we must do the same!
Today we can honor Lupa by honoring the Wolf within and in its natural habitat. Focal point should be on the preservation of, health and well being of, and continued vitality of wolves in the wild. Wolves are currently in danger of becoming extinct--again! By sending forth our Will and energy into the Universe, we are contributing to the longevity of ourselves as well as our four legged brothers and sisters. Another point in practicing a modern festival of Lupercalia is that of strengthening our bonds, both spiritually and physically, with the Wolf. On a physical, dayside level, we can donate our time, energy, and money to wolf sanctuaries throughout the world who have dedicated their lives to ensuring a healthy environment for wolves. With our spiritual, nightside time we should mediate, connecting with the spirit of the wolf within us. Our connection with these beautiful creatures in nothing short of sacred and must be treated as such. Lastly, our modern rite should include continued growth and understanding of ourselves so that we may further evolve, embracing the Wolf within. Always remember to HOWL! You will be heard!
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