Valentines cards come from the Pagan ritual of slapping bare arses with the hide of a skinned Dog

In this episode of 'The Blindboy Podcast', the host delves into the peculiar and ancient origins of Valentine's Day, tracing its roots back to the Roman festival of Lupercalia. The festival, named after the pagan god Lupercus, was a celebration of fertility and purification, closely tied to the lambing season and the protection of sheep. The host describes how young men would sacrifice a dog, or a wolf if available, to honor Lupercus, who was believed to be a protector of flocks from wolves. After the sacrifice, the men would create strips of leather from the animal's hide, known as 'februas', and engage in a ritual where they would chase naked women through the streets, striking them with the strips to promote fertility.

The podcast goes on to explain the transition from Lupercalia to St. Valentine's Day, focusing on the story of a priest named Valentine who defied Emperor Claudius II's ban on marriage because he believed in the sanctity of the union. Valentine was eventually arrested and executed for his defiance, but not before healing the blind daughter of his jailer, Asterius, and leaving a note signed 'from your Valentine', which is suggested to be the origin of the Valentine's card.

The host also shares a personal anecdote about his experience in a flotation tank, which was intended to be a substitute for a missed opportunity to visit a Viking museum. The flotation tank, a device designed for sensory deprivation and internal exploration, led the host to a profound meditative state. The narrative takes an unexpected turn when the host recounts the bizarre and controversial experiments of John C. Lilly, who attempted to teach dolphins to communicate in human language, ultimately leading to the use of LSD on the animals.