The pagan feast of Lupercalia was an ancient Roman festival held annually from February 13th to 15th. This celebration was dedicated to the Roman god Lupercus, who was believed to protect flocks and guard against wolves. The festival was also associated with fertility and purification. During Lupercalia, a group of priests known as the Luperci would gather at the Lupercal, a cave on the Palatine Hill believed to be the place where Romulus and Remus, the legendary founders of Rome, were nursed by a she-wolf. The priests would sacrifice a goat and a dog, symbolizing fertility and protection. After the sacrifices, the priests would cut the goat's hide into strips known as "lashes" or "thongs.
After the sacrifices, the priests would cut the goat's hide into strips known as "lashes" or "thongs." They would then run through the streets of Rome, striking women and crops with the thongs. It was believed that these lashes would bring fertility, protect against evil spirits, and ensure the health and well-being of the people and the city.
Tight Acres
I occasionally break my own commitment to save money. Here's the deal:
Reading a number of blogs, websites, reader comments, and product reviews, I've found that a number of tailors use clothes presses similar to the kind you see above, the Singer Magic Press 4. Some of these comments wax veritably poetic about just how much time can be saved, the professional results, the ease, and the less harmful to cloth a press can be compare to a typical hand-held iron. Not quite convinced (Why doesn't everyone have one, then?), I began searching for the brand that kept being mentioned: Elna. Elna was purchased some years ago by the Japanese sewing giant Janome. A new clothes press from Janome currently costs about $399. We at Tight Acres have decided that vintage is the only way I'm going to get one of these modern wonders.
I searched craigslist and eventually found an Elnapress 2000 for $60. It looked good in the picture but it was about 2 hours from my house. I never heard back from the seller and it eventually disappeared from the site. I assume it sold. I then searched eBay and there were a few but the prices were much higher and shipping costs made several of them prohibitively expensive. I'd have to iron a whole lot of tablecloths (something I almost never use) and jockstraps (ditto) in order to make back the money I'd saved in time and effort.
I did find several other brands and this Singer suddenly appeared on my screen. Magic, indeed. It was priced somewhat lower than the others and the seller was only 2.5 hours away from my house by car. Thus, shipping was low and it was an auction so I continued to bide my time and bid accordingly at the very last minute, around 10 pm. $20 later (plus $12 in shipping) and the Singer Magic Press 4 was mine. But due to the sheer number of positives I'd read about the Elna, the Singer wasn't the one I wanted. Thinking I should have waited or ponied up the cash (Am I being cheap instead of frugal?), I waited for the Singer to arrive, none too excited, thinking about how I'd word a listing in order to sell it. ("Works like magic!" "Iron your hair!")
The very next morning at about 5:30 am, I fired up the laptop and went to craigslist. In searching for the same or similar Singer press to see whether I'd gotten a good deal, I found this for $30. Now how often does that happen, i.e. the very next day you find exactly what you've been looking for in pristine condition for almost the exact same price only about 30 minutes away? WTF?
I've forgiven myself already. Lesson: it's sometimes better to wait. I've lived my entire life without a clothes press and a few more weeks until I find one I really want won't kill me.
I'll give full reviews of both as soon as I've used them enough to write something meaningful, perhaps even 'impressive'. Stay tuned.
Reading a number of blogs, websites, reader comments, and product reviews, I've found that a number of tailors use clothes presses similar to the kind you see above, the Singer Magic Press 4. Some of these comments wax veritably poetic about just how much time can be saved, the professional results, the ease, and the less harmful to cloth a press can be compare to a typical hand-held iron. Not quite convinced (Why doesn't everyone have one, then?), I began searching for the brand that kept being mentioned: Elna. Elna was purchased some years ago by the Japanese sewing giant Janome. A new clothes press from Janome currently costs about $399. We at Tight Acres have decided that vintage is the only way I'm going to get one of these modern wonders.
The festival also included various rituals and games. One of the most famous rituals was the "Februa," where young men would strip naked and run through the city, lightly slapping women with strips of goat hide. This act was believed to enhance fertility and promote a successful marriage. Another popular activity during Lupercalia was the matchmaking lottery. Young men would draw the name of a young woman from a jar, and they would be paired for the duration of the festival. Often, these temporary pairings would lead to long-lasting relationships and even marriage. Over time, the pagan festival of Lupercalia became associated with the early Christian feast of St. Valentine's Day, which is celebrated on February 14th. The Christian church sought to replace the pagan traditions with Christian ones, focusing on love and devotion rather than fertility. In conclusion, the pagan feast of Lupercalia was an ancient Roman festival dedicated to the god Lupercus, celebrated annually from February 13th to 15th. The festival involved sacrifices, rituals, and games aimed at promoting fertility, purification, and protection. While some aspects of Lupercalia are still present in modern Valentine's Day celebrations, the original pagan customs have been largely forgotten..
Reviews for "Love and Lust in Ancient Rome: Exploring the Sensual Side of Lupercalia"
- John Smith - 1 star - The Pagan feast of Lupercalia was a complete disappointment. Firstly, the venue was poorly organized, with long lines and a lack of seating available. The food options were limited and overpriced, and the quality was subpar. Additionally, the entertainment was lackluster, with performances that seemed unprepared and unengaging. Overall, I would not recommend attending this event.
- Sarah Johnson - 2 stars - I was expecting a fun and exciting experience at the Pagan feast of Lupercalia, but unfortunately, it fell short of my expectations. The event lacked proper organization, resulting in confusion and frustration among attendees. The food was mediocre and definitely not worth the high prices. The entertainment was also underwhelming, with performances that lacked energy and creativity. All in all, I left feeling dissatisfied and would not attend again in the future.
- Michael Thompson - 2 stars - I had heard great things about the Pagan feast of Lupercalia, so I was excited to attend. However, my experience was quite disappointing. The event was overcrowded, making it difficult to enjoy the food and access the different activities. The variety of food options was limited, and the quality was not impressive. The performances were also mediocre, failing to capture my interest. Overall, I was left unimpressed and would not recommend this event to others.