Lupercalia
February 15th: A Celebration of bodily autonomy, sexual liberation, and reproduction
Based on the Roman festival of the same name, Lupercalia falls on February 15. In keeping with the ancient tradition, February 13th and 14th are observed as feast days leading up to the actual holiday. What we are translating this to in TST is a "hail yourself" day. This idea offers a parallel to the "others-centered" traditions of Sol Invictus.
The Colorado Congregation has taken this time in the past to host Satanic Self Love Rituals and private member initiation ceremonies.
A Lupercalia Self Love Ritual
Materials
Edible paper and non-toxic marker
Chalice or wine glass
Wine or red juice
Mirror
Salt
Candles
Altar
Ritual music of your choice
Your altar should include the chalice/wine glass in the middle (filled), your edible paper and marker to the right, and the mirror to the left. You might spend a fair amount of time in front of the mirror, so make sure you have something comfy to sit or stand on. Dim your lights, light your candles, and turn on your ritual music.
Read to yourself
Satan represents unbridled knowledge and power within yourself. It is up to each individual to stir that power and use the knowledge at your disposal to shape yourself into a person who behaves and acts exactly as they intend to. The Satanist must also accept themselves completely. You must accept your greatest accomplishments and face your deepest flaws. May this ritual assist you in progressing on your own journey toward self actualization.
Ritual
Stand before your altar, take a deep breath and center yourself. Then pick up your salt and draw a salt circle around your altar. Remember to leave enough space for yourself. As you draw your circle, let the salt become a barrier between the world and you. This is your safe space where the inner work can be done.
Stand or sit in front of your altar inside of the salt circle and think about your best traits. Pick the one thing that you love the most about yourself. Write that on the paper, fold the paper, and place it in your mouth.
Drink from the chalice. This symbolizes the full acceptance of your pride. Drink of your accomplishments. Do not ever feel guilty for loving yourself or being proud of who your are.
Speak out loud: Only I can love myself
Look into the mirror and confront your faults. Face something for which you are ashamed. If it is an arbitrary guilt others have put on you, think about how you will deny and overcome this shame, accepting yourself unapologetically for who you are. Speak your thoughts out loud. If, rather, you wish to confront a harmful shame, in which you feel you may have caused another or yourself harm, you must then think about how you will make amends. Speak your thoughts out loud.
Speak out loud: Only I can forgive myself
Look into the mirror and truly forgive yourself for your past actions.
Speak out loud: I am my own keeper. Ave Satanas Idem, Ave Memet Nosce
Blow out your candles and stand in the darkness reveling in the lightness you feel for forgiving yourself and allowing yourself to fully love who you are.
Your ritual is complete