Happy Lupercalia!

Valentine's Day is for amateurs and dorks. Embrace the day of the wolf!

Before I dig into this post, I need to disclose a pronounced conflict of interest: I’m obligated to let you know that I am a registered lobbyist for the Global Alliance of Wolves— and even count among my immediate family members a ferocious European wolfdog that came all the way from the Black Forest (see video below for evidence of his strength and cunning):

In all honesty, I’m a bit of a wolfs’ rights zealot, insisting that we decolonize the spaces in which wolves once dwelled and acknowledge their inherent superiority over us naked, bipedal apes. And, as it turns out, this might already be happening across parts of Canada, the US and Europe, as wildlife agencies are reintroducing the species to their original habitats—making possible this now-famous sighting in Yellowstone National Park:

Wolf pups were even recently seen within the city limits of Rome for the first time since, well, Ancient Rome, an indicator of the resurgence of this crucial “keystone apex predator”. And yes, I am propagandizing you. Aggressively.

(I think Gus (our wolfie thing) does MK Ultra mind control stuff on me when I’m sleeping. I mean. He is from Germany. And probably cannot be trusted.)

I remember reading about the wolf pup spotting in Rome a few years ago and feeling a surge of excitement, thinking, “It’s happening. The great re-wolfing is happening.”

You see: Ancient Rome’s origin story is 100% wolf-centered, and the wolf loomed large in their culture and collective psyches for literally thousands of years. So, the return of their most sacred, symbolic animal to the city corridor just might be a bigger indicator that the old gods— and their old ways— are waking up. And, on February 14th, we all get the chance to celebrate this pagan resurgence with a very wolf-themed holiday: Lupercalia.

History of Lupercalia

The founders of Rome, Romulus and Remus, were said to be suckled by a she-wolf who saved them when they were just a couple of abandoned, vulnerable babies in the wild area around Rome. The image above is a photo of a statue of what’s referred to as the Capitoline Wolf, depicting this vignette in Roman history. Versions of this statue are incredibly common throughout the former Roman Empire, making appearances in Turkey, Germany, France, and Spain, among many other countries.

To say “thanks” and honor this benevolent lupine creature, the citizens of Rome would invite the wolves into the city’s corridor and offer them fresh meat and belly rubs on a special holiday called Lupercalia. The Romans would also “channel” the energy of the wolves, engaging in wild rituals, orgies of food, drink and sex, and even run around whipping each other with goat skins.

I think a big part of this is just Rome doing Rome stuff. I can’t think of one of their ancient high holidays in which orgies and sadomasichism weren’t on the menu, so let’s not blame the wolves for this nonsense until we have evidence. Just saying.

In the broadest brush strokes, Lupercalia is a fertility ritual, but it wasn’t just about orgies and running naked in the street and whatnot. Rather, it was at its heart an abundance rite. By feeding the wolves and thanking them for their wolfie ancestors’ care of the their human ancestors, the belief was that the wolves would continue to bless the Roman people with good fortune, good health, and a healthy libido.

The great de-paganing of Valentine’s Day

As was common practice, the Catholic Church “reimagined” Lupercalia as St. Valentine’s Day, plopping their lame “someone died today” holiday on top of a great, pagan original. They did this to literally whitewash the previous “primitive” religious beliefs and practices, and capture the already saturated market with their new, shiny, rebranded packaging.

I mean, you were going to take the day off of work anyways, right?

And don’t get me started on Easter, All Saints Day, and Christmas. I mean, ever heard of Yule?

*Sigh*

The Catholic St. Valentine has nothing to do with love, sex, wolves, fertility or abundance. That poor bastard was just killed by the Romans and buried on February 14th. That’s it. That’s the whole connection.

Besides, even the modern version of Valentine’s Day is lame. It’s total amateur hour at restaurants, with stressed out dudes in button down shirts spending too much money on a shitty prefix menu just to not get in trouble with their other half. Chefs, servers and bartenders loathe working on Valentine’s Day. We’ve all been on the receiving end of heart-shaped boxes of bad “chocolate”.

It’s nothing but obligation and sadness.

So, this February 14th, do the right thing.

Make Lupercalia Great Again.

Celebrating Lupercalia

Lupercalia falls on both Valentine’s Day and Ash Wednesday this year. You know. Because the Catholics aren’t going to give this up without a fight. They probably discovered my Lupercalian machinations using their evil Vatican telepathy machine or something.

But I will not surrender without a fight. And I invite you to celebrate Lupercalia with me.

To start, Lupercalia is a great day for manifestation work, particularly if you’re working to manifest financial abundance or a new love relationship. Sit down to write out what you’d like to receive in the coming weeks and months, and seal it up in a nice envelope. A red envelope is preferable, and if you can tie it off with a red bow it’s even better. You can then place this envelope on your home altar, in your meditation space, or your dining table— perhaps next to a nice candle or two for added effect.

As an abundance holiday, it’s also a great excuse to host a sumptuous dinner party for close friends and/or family. Cook something that takes some time, infusing the food with your intention and energy. Game meat, root vegetables and foraged foods, like mushrooms and truffles, are all ideal menu items for adding the wild energy so crucial to this tradition. Decorate your dining table with wild, witchy flowers like Queen Anne’s Lace, Delphinium or even the very Roman olive tree branches. Add the magic of candles, and you’ll have a feast for your eyes, energy bodies, and stomach.

Some great crystals to leverage for Lupercalia include Stibnite (official crystal for wolf energy), Carnelian (sacral chakra power stone), and Citrine (the "merchants' stone"- improves cash flow), and these can also be added to your dinner party tablescape. But if you don't have crystals, it's not the end of the world! The basic point of Lupercalia is to enjoy life and share this enjoyment with others. So, if nothing else, take some time to appreciate what you have and allow yourself to confidently look forward to new forms of abundance.

If you’re more of an introvert, you can always undertake a Shamanic Journeying Meditation with the intention of communing with supportive wolf energy, perhaps even enjoying what we call bilocation shifting: embodying the sensory experience of the animal, including seeing through their big yellow eyes, smelling through their sensitive nose, and even hearing through their fuzzy ears.

You know: all the better to see, smell and hear you with, my dear;)

And, if all else fails, you can always run around in the woods or the prairie naked, howling at the moon. Just don’t whip anyone with a goat skin. I mean, you don’t need to get arrested and besmirch the good name of wolves everywhere.

Happy Lupercalia!

-Rachel