Of Love and St. Valentine's Day

Valentine's day lore and tradition
Though the stories are many and varied St. Valentine is well accepted as the icon of Valentine's day. He was said to be a Christian martyr whom Claudius the second imprisoned. Before he was, he married many young soldiers secretly. Claudius felt it was best for his soldiers to be single. So this is where Saint Valentine is honored for Valentine's day as a supporter of the loving union of marriage. Before he was executed he healed the jailers blind daughter whom he had grown fond of. Then he left a note for her signed “Your Valentine” which has become a well accepted sentiment of the valentine's day holiday.

In time Valentine's day has become connected to Lupercalia a pagan fertility celebration. Thoughts are that this is where valentine cards came from with men drawing names of women from a jar to be partnered with.

Love birds
For this was on seynt Volantynys day
Whan euery bryd comyth there to chese his make
("For this was Saint Valentine's Day, when every bird cometh there to choose his mate.")
-Geoffery Chaucer

In time many traditions have been adopted into modern day valentine's celebrations. In the form of various sentiments of love: candies, flowers, poetry, cards, special dinners, romantic dates.

Heartbreak
Sadly many have built walls around themselves when it comes to romantic love from heartbreaks of days gone by. I can relate I have done the same before. Yet in time realized someone who really cares would not devastate our heart. Never invalidate another from woeful experience for in this you are wronging another with actions of fear.

The rose is red, the violet's blue,
The honey's sweet, and so are you.
Thou art my love and I am thine;
I drew thee to my Valentine:
The lot was cast and then I drew,
And Fortune said it shou'd be you.

Don't fear the reaper... erhhh the love
Love is the essence of each of us. To defy it is against self. We don't always see eye to eye but how we handle it is what matters. I always like the “kiss and make up” approach. Not good to go to bed with negative in ones heart. Likewise yelling... I do not practice this. Better to talk things out. Always look for the best ways to respond to others to show them and ourselves honor. At times some fear loosing self. Love is about two sharing a life so in turn there are three you,me, and we.

 “Apache wedding blessing
Now you will feel no rain,
For each of you will be shelter to the other.
Now you will feel no cold,
For each of you will be warmth to the other.
Now there is no more loneliness,
For each of you will be companion to the other.
Now you are two bodies,
But there is one life before you.
Go now to your dwelling place,
To enter into the days of your togetherness.
And may your days be good and long upon the earth.
Treat yourselves and each other with respect,
and remind yourselves often of what brought you together.
Give the highest priority to the tenderness, gentleness and
kindness that your connection deserves. When frustration,
difficulties and fear assail your relationship, as they threaten
all relationships at one time or another, remember to focus on what
is right between you, not only the part which seems wrong. In this
way, you can ride out the storms when clouds hide the face of the
sun in your lives -- remembering that even if you lose sight of
it for a moment, the sun is still there. And if each of you takes
responsibility for the quality of your life together, it will be
marked by abundance and delight.""Treat yourselves and each other
with respect, and remind yourselves often of what brought you
together. Give the highest priority to the tenderness, gentleness
and kindness that your connection deserves. When frustration,
difficulties and fear assail your relationship, as they
threaten all relationships at one time or another, remember
to focus on what is right between you, not only the part which
seems wrong. In this way, you can ride out the storms when clouds
hide the face of the sun in your lives -- remembering that even if
you lose sight of it for a moment, the sun is still there. And if
each of you takes responsibility for the quality of your life together,
it will be marked by abundance and delight."

The sensual part of life
Sensuality is a broad thing from our appreciation of all the awesomeness in our world to stir of passion in love. The Kama (sensual or sexual pleasure) sutra (thread or link that holds together) though seen as a major sex guide the intent of this text is to be a guide of virtuous and gracious manner with reguard to love, family life, and pleasure. The ancient hindu texts were compiled for 400 BCE – 200 CE. Nandi the bull was said to have heard the passions of the god and his wife and prompted to sacred utterance to share with mankind.

In kind tant** (stretch libiration) Is a inter religious spiritual movement out of India. An expression of devine conciousness. In some modes it is approached as sacred sex; a way of entering the universe.
Let not the world dirty a pure expression of love.

Whoever you are let the love that is you shine on the fears of life. You don't need a special day, just a heart open to giving and receiving. The best things in life may not always be visible, yet felt. No need for commercialism inspired affections time shared with one; one cares for, sharing laughs, and tenderness... bliss.

© Lisa Ann Ulibarri