LOVE MAKES THE WORLD GO ‘ROUND

There is an old saying and a popular song that “Love Makes the World Go ‘Round” and today this old world should really be spinning as that cute little cherub Dan Cupid shoots off a lot of love arrows in celebration of Valentine’s Day.

Just think of all the valentines that have been made or purchased this week, not to mention all the flowers, candy, and other types of gifts, including some diamond rings. Although we express our love on various occasions during the year, this is the holiday that is especially devoted to romance and affection. Everyone likes to be loved, whether it is a simple expression of friendship, or the courtship of that special one in your life.

I once wrote a column about how this holiday came into being and I happened to come across it, so thought you might enjoy knowing about it. Of course we know that it comes on the feast day of that Christian martyr, St. Valentine, but did you know there were at least two St. Valentines, and possibly more? Or that the customs we celebrate have nothing to do with the lives of these saints? It is generally believed to have come from an ancient Roman festival called Lupercalia, which took place on the 15th of February. This festival, honoring Juno, the Roman goddess of women and marriage, and Pan, the God of nature, was celebrated as a lover’s festival for young women and men who chose their festival partners by drawing names by chance. The partners would then exchange gifts as a sign of affection and many times such partnerships ended in courtship and marriage.

Wanting to give Christian meaning to what he considered a pagan festival, Pope Gelasius changed it to St. Valentine’s Day in 496, but the sentimental meaning of the old festival still remains. The holiday did not become popular in this country until the mid-1880’s, although the oldest valentines found in America date back to the early 1700’s.

Down through the years there have been many beliefs and customs in connection with this day, mostly concerned with romance or the choice of a mate. One of the oldest beliefs is that birds choose their mates on this date. There was also an old superstition that it was bad luck to bring snowdrop flowers into the house of an unmarried girl before Valentine’s Day if the girl hoped to get married that year. In some places an unmarried girl would strike her forehead with a folded rose petal. If the petal cracked, she knew that her valentine loved her.

Although these things might be interesting, one thing is for sure, Valentine’s Day is a day for children and lovers and no matter what customs or beliefs you might have, it is a fun day with lots of love and affection being spread around.

Wouldn’t it be nice if all this love and affection could be spread around every day?

Hope this Valentine’s Day has been special for you and that you celebrated it with those you love. I did!