Valentine's Day, celebrated on February 14, is a wonderful
opportunity to celebrate those we love - to reach out to
the one we love - to make it a festival of romance and
affection. While some people may think, Valentine's Day is
just another commercial holiday for flower and candy shops,
Valentine's Day has deeper roots and does reach in the
silent recesses of a human heart.
It all started in the heart of St. Valentine. Valentine
lived around 270, in the midst of the bloody persecution of
the Christians. He was martyred by Emperor Claudius II in
ancient Rome. Saint Valentine died as a Roman martyr
priest. The saga has it that the first "Valentine's Day"
gift was actually sent by the Saint himself to the daughter
of his jailer, to whom he felt a deep bond of love.
Valentine's Day, as we know it today, contains vestiges of
both Christian and ancient Roman tradition. The 14th of
February is probably a remnant from a period when a pagan
festival occurred around that date. It was a day of joyful
celebration, embracing the beginning work in the vineyards
and on the fields after the long winter months. Valentine's
Day as a day of celebrating love also stems from the belief
that this is the day when birds begin their mating.
The Christian church adapted this tradition and chose
February 14 as the day to honor Saint Valentine. Saint
Valentine is now considered the patron of lovers and the
helper of those unhappily in love.
Valentine's Day in the middle of the eighteenth century is
summed up in this verse printed in Poor Robin's Almanac in
1757:
"This month bright Phoebus enters Pisces, The maids will
have good store of kisses, For always when the fun comes
there, Valentine's Day is drawing near, And both the men
and maids incline To chuse them each a Valentine; And if a
man gets one he loves, He gives her first a pair of gloves;
And, by the way, remember this, To seal the favour with a
kiss."
Although no longer a day of honor for Saint Valentine in
the Christian calendar - Valentine was dropped from the
liturgical calendar in 1969 - Valentine's Day still
inspires lovers to the present day to give kind acts of
love to one another.
There are several ways to show ones love and appreciation
on Valentine's Day:
Valentine's Day Cards are a popular way to show affection.
There are Valentine's Day cards with wise or witty rhymes,
open or supple declaration of love, beautiful flower
arrangements or cuddly teddy bears. There is something of
every taste.
Valentine's Day Recipes are often special concoctions made
with love and creativity to help celebrate Valentine's Day.
After all, doesn't love go through the stomach! Aromatic
taste, lovely decoration, romantic candle light - all helps
together to make for an enchanting Valentine's Day.
Valentine's Day Flowers delight every loving heart. Flowers
are among the most prominent symbols of love. They make the
partner feel appreciated and valued. Valentine's Day
flowers may well be the most important flowers you send all
year. Flowers speak to the heart through their beauty,
their simple elegance, their uplifting scent and long
lasting aroma. When words fail, say it with flowers!
Flowers convey your love and care.
A Gift Basket for Valentine's Day is another special and
personal gift idea, filled with things your partner loves:
a precious aftershave or perfume; a wellness gift like a
relaxing massage; a Candle-Light-Dinner for two in the
favorite restaurant; or Mon Cheri in a heart-shaped gift
box.
Or give your loved one an extravagant Valentine's Day gift
- maybe a symbolic tree of the rain forest with
certificate, or a bottle of balsam fir essential oil to
uplift the heart.
There are many ways to help celebrate Valentine's Day. Any
sign of love and care, no matter how big or small, will
bring the message of love from one heart to another. Love
flows from the lover to the beloved and back again to close
a circle, strengthening the bond of friendship, love and
marriage. Valentine's Day is truly a day for sweethearts.
It is an old tradition that had its beginning with Saint
Valentine's gift of love. This gift of love keeps on giving
throughout the history of mankind for another thousand
years to come. Nothing else matters but love.
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Maria Schasteen is editor of Aroma-Essence.com, Natures
Most Trusted Therapeutic-Grade Essential Oils and
Aromatherapy Store.
http://www.aroma-essence.com
