Valentine's Day

I was asked at work today if I received a nice card and present from my husband for Valentine's Day.  When I replied "No, we don't believe in all that rubbish", I got some very funny looks. A woman that doesn't want a card on Valentine's day? 

I don't like cards, I think they are a waste of money.  After all they will only end up in the recycling bin next week. And the shops always increase the price on flowers this week too.  I would rather be given flowers for out of the blue, for no reason, instead of because someone decided it was the done thing to do on 14th February.

It isn't because we aren't a romantic couple, far from it, but neither of us feel that we need a special day to show our affection towards each other.  We do that every day of the year, not just on 14th February.

What also makes me wonder is how many people have actually thought about the origins of this day?  Well Valentine's day has its roots in paganism with a raucous festival known as Lupercalia.  Lupercalia is a rural festival of ancient origins, possibly even  pre-dating the Romans.  The festival took place in mid Februrary (13th - 15th) and its purpose was for purification of evil spirits and to ensure fertility.  

The focal point of this festival was a site on the Palatine hill caked the Lupercal, This was the legendary cave in which it is said the she-wolf suckled Romulus and Remus.  According to Roman tradition, it was also here, on Palatine hill, that a small community of shepherds lived in thatched huts, ruled by the founder of Rome, Romulus.  

The rite of Lupercalia required the sacrifice of goats and a dog in the Lupercal by priests called Luperci.  The blood of the sacrificed animals would be smeared onto the forehead of two young noblemen and then wiped off.  It seems at this point the young men were required to laugh.  Then the Luperci, clothed in loincloths, would run about the vicinity, lashing everyone they met with strips of skin from the sacrificed goats.  Newly married and young women were particularly keen to receive these lashes, as it was believed that the ritual promoted fertility and easy childbirth.  

Doesn't sound very romantic to me!

The name Valentine didn't come about until Christians attempted to outlaw the Lupercalia festival, failed and so appropriated it.  

The story goes that the Emperor Claudius II outlawed the marriage of young men.  He wanted them to bolster his army instead.  Valentine defied the ban and performed marriages in secret.  Unfortunately his flouting of the ban was discovered and he was executed in 270 AD
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It is not known if this story is true but it is rather a handy explanation for a Christian version of Lupercalia.

Magical Walks and New Blogs

Today is the day that I take a leap into the world of blogging.  I have written the odd blog for Kitchen Witch School of Natural Witchery where I am a clan guardian but thought I would branch out and create a blog of my very own.

Earlier today I went on a magical walk with my husband.  Being a pagan witch I love nature and being out in it soaking up the energy.  We visited Runnymede today, the place where King John signed the Magna Carta and also home to the Ankerwycke Yew.  For those of that know me will know that I love trees and there were plenty there on the circular walk around the meadows, it was a bit muddy though ;-)

I made friends with this lovely tree.  It has such a soothing and calming energy it was just calling out for a big hug.

On the walk there so many signs that spring is well and truly on the way.  Snowdrops carpeted the ground all around the ancient yew and catkins and buds on the trees.

                                                                                                                                     


As we walked around we were followed by the
squeaking of a parakeet.  I managed to snap a picture of one but they didn't like to get too close.  Just wanted to make a lot of noise.







The Yew tree when we reached it was beautiful and ancient.  It was completely hollow instead and gnarly.

When we walked around the tree we saw that people had left offerings of all sorts of things.  There were wreaths obviously left over from Yule, their berries now dried and shriveled.  Bunches of flowers and bundles of herbs.  There were also synthetic ribbons and other items that I wasn't too keen on as they don't degrade.

  

We sat on a fallen log and shared a flask of tea, giving a small libation to the tree too.  As I poured the liquid onto the roots and sat back down I was greeted by a woody scent.  Maybe the tree was thanking me for my offering?  I like to think so.   

Being so gnarly you could make out patterns in the tree.  If you look closely at this picture opposite you might be able to see a woman with long, flowing hair.

Wondering just how old the Yew tree is I’ve done a little research and find that this is a very fascinating tree indeed.  It is thought to be around 1,500 to 2,000 years old and has witnessed much in its long life.  It is thought to have been the actual spot where King John signed the Magna Carta and it is also believed to have been under this tree where Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn used to meet in a secret tryst. 

It is by no accident that Runnymede has become known as special meeting place as it was used as such long before the signing of the Magna Carta.  In Saxon times it was known as Rune-Mede, (meadow of the Runes) a place of council where runes would have been consulted and runes, at the time, had deep association with yew trees.

So pleased we stumbled across the magnificent tree today.