Valentine's Day

St. Valentine, saint and Martyr - Patron saint of Greetings St. Valentine, a Roman priest, together with St. Marius and his family, assisted the martyrs who suffered during the reign of Emperor Claudius II in the 3rd century. Being apprehended, he was sent to the prefect of Rome, who commanded he be beaten with clubs and afterward beheaded. He suffered martyrdom about the year 270.

The custom of sending valentines on this day is the revival of an ancient pagan practice, which consisted in boys drawing the names of girls in honour of the goddess, Februata Juno, on February 15.

To abolish the practice names of saints were substituted on billets drawn upon this day. Prayer: God of power and mercy, through Your help St. Valentine has overcome the tortures of his passion. Help us who celebrate his triumph to remain victorious over the wiles of our enemies. Amen.
Taken from Lives of the Saints
source: Aletta Mess

Valentine Dance

When for no particular reason or for some particular reason you are filled with lightness, the very bearable lightness of being, and your limbs move of their own accord, the music you choose fills the room and you dance dance for one and all those you love and for those you have never met that you would love and your body bends with the rhythm responding to every note and you are completely totally unmistakeably yourself and at the same time lost to yourself and you know in every fibre of your being that this is it , this is joy, this is the way it's meant to be, this is what you are meant to be.
Natalie d'Arbeloff

Making Valentines

images courtesy of Trendle Ellwood

Valentines
No Valentines she bought, she had no pennies,
The little maid, one February day.
But oh, she did her best, from morn till evening.
To make both young and old feel glad and gay.
Her smile was bright, just like the golden sunshine,
The world seemed, of a sudden, sweet and fine;
And every one she met, oh yes, I know it,
Just felt as if he’d had a valentine.
Alice Thorn.

Choosing Flowers

Before choosing roses consider the underlying message associated with the colour of the roses you select. The obvious starting point is red, the colour denoting love, beauty, courage and respect - appropriate for a day of romance.

A white rose stands for purity and innocence, silence or secrecy, and reverence and humility.

Pink is just right for a close friend or loved one. It means appreciation, a thanks of sorts, grace, happiness and admiration.

Dark pink represents appreciation and gratitude, while light pink means admiration and sympathy.

Yellow conveys joy, gladness, friendship, delight and the promise of a new beginning - for couples reigniting a flame perhaps.

Orange means desire and enthusiam, which, through a rose is a great way to kick off a new relationship.

Red and white roses given together signify unity. A red rosebud symbolises purity and loveliness, while a thornless rose signifies love at first sight.