Valentine’s Day is quickly approaching, and from a modern day perspective, could easily be construed as a commercially driven exercise in gift giving and money spending.
The monetization of Valentines Day pretty much dictates that if you are not in the position of receiving or giving a Valentines gift or card on the day, that you have somehow missed a ride on the idealized ‘Romantic Love Boat’ and should, perhaps, be concerned by the misconception that if Cupid hasn’t shown up in your life (particularly on the 14th of February) that something vital is missing!
So, whether you are in a relationship, newly single or have been single for years there are numerous ways to honor the spirit of Valentines Day rather than buy into the commercially driven propaganda and nonsense.
And, in what would appear to be an increasing material world, the opportunity for St Valentines Day to bring awareness to the energy of love, in both the giving and the receiving, is too easily lost. However, it is in fact, a perfect day to do just that.
Acceptance, laughter and the celebration of love in a world that sorely needs bucket loads of it, should (ideally) be a daily occurrence in all our lives, and not defined to any particular day, month or date. However, given that the Western world in particular makes much of February 14th, , using the focus to generate awareness of the power of love to heal, not only ourselves and those around us, but our beloved planet as well, is chance not to be missed.
It presents a day in which you can choose to hold the light of love and healing for all. So, setting all idealized romantic considerations aside, I thought it might be interesting to take a quick look the ancient origins of Valentines Day
The original ideology and accompanying rituals of the Valentine tradition is obscured by antiquity and mystery. Indeed even the detail’s of the life of St Valentine, the patron saint whose name is inextricably linked with the tradition, is not certain. Also known as St. Valentine’s Day or the Feast of St. Valentine and traditionally celebrated on February 14, the geneses, includes traces of both Roman Pagan tradition and Christian liturgical ritual.
Historically it is said that the roots of Valentines Day, can be traced back to the ancient Roman festival of ‘Lupercalia’. This festival (a holiday dedicated to Juno, Queen of the Gods and Patroness of Marriage) was celebrated in Rome and other regions of Italy right up until the end of the fifth century. At which point the reigning Catholic Pope of the day moved to stop the lusty celebration of fertility by purposely re-dedicating the ancient festival so that it functioned as a “ liturgical Feast Day’, intended to exalt one or more Sainted priests known as ‘Valentinus’.
Legend has it that a certain Saint Valentine of Rome was imprisoned for the crime of ministering to persecuted Christians and providing the opportunity for Roman Soldiers (who were forbidden by law) to marry. The 14th century English writer and poet, Geoffrey Chaucer and his circle of friends promoted the tradition of courtly love and in his time, Valentines Day became a day associated with grand romantic love and gesture.
And to quote loosely from Wikipedia; “ In 18th-century England, Valentines’ Day grew into an occasion in which lovers expressed their love for each other by presenting flowers, offering confectionary and sending greeting cards (known as "valentines)”
So wherever you may be on Valentines Day, and whether you are in participating in Valentines celebrations with a partner, loved one or celebrating with single friends, I’m inspired by the quote below, to express my personal belief that generating and spreading the energy of love in a conscious and respectful manner on the day, is what is truly important.
“How is it possible, you ask, for love to be greater, than the person who does the loving?
That’s because love defies the rules of reason. It is the only exception.” ~ Kamand Kojouri.
Wishing you a multitude of blessings, light, love and healing,
Cecelia
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