1. J
ust as scholars speculate that Christmas and Easter
holidays coincide with pagan holidays they ques-
tion whether Valentine’s Day was chosen to usurp
the Lupercalia festival of purification held on Feb-
ruary 15, originating from a pastoral festival before the
foundation of Rome. Although Lupercalia has its roots
in Lupus, the wolf, it is more specifically connected to
the goat god Pan, Baphomet, and Azazel, god of victory;
equivalent to the Greek god Prometheus who gave the
spark of life to mankind.
T
he goat in ancient animal symbology signified
regeneration and reproductive power. Accord-
ing to the Zohar, the goat-men mingled with
mortal women, having come to earth to do so
(Genesis 6:2-4). Baphomet, the Sabbatic Goat, is also
known as the Great God Pan, Abraxas,Thanateros, or the
Horned God.