Happy Lupercalia, or Beat your women with goatskins for the wolf goddess!
Lupercalia may not be the sole, direct origin of Valentine's Day, but ask me if I care (hint: I don't). It's still full of awesome. See a visual representation here. I have provided you with a simple guide to celebrating Lupercalia, in 9 easy steps.
Step 1: Luperci priests gather on Palantine Hill at the cave of Luperci.
Step 2: Vestel virgins bring out cakes made from last year's grain harvest to the fig tree.
Step 3: Two naked young men sacrifice a goat and a dog, with assistance from the Vestel virgins.
Step 4: Smear blood from sacrifices on foreheads of young men.
Step 5: Wipe away the blood with wool dipped in milk.
Step 6: Young men don loincloths made from the skin of the goat.
Step 7: They lead the priests around the boundary of the city and the base of the hills of Rome.
Step 8: Young men lightly flog the women they run by with strips from the goat hide.
Step 9: Fertility and purification!
Step 1: Luperci priests gather on Palantine Hill at the cave of Luperci.
Step 2: Vestel virgins bring out cakes made from last year's grain harvest to the fig tree.
Step 3: Two naked young men sacrifice a goat and a dog, with assistance from the Vestel virgins.
Step 4: Smear blood from sacrifices on foreheads of young men.
Step 5: Wipe away the blood with wool dipped in milk.
Step 6: Young men don loincloths made from the skin of the goat.
Step 7: They lead the priests around the boundary of the city and the base of the hills of Rome.
Step 8: Young men lightly flog the women they run by with strips from the goat hide.
Step 9: Fertility and purification!