Editorial       

Greetings and Happy Valentines Day. Did you know that in days of old Valentines was an ancient pagan festival called the Roman Feast of Lupercalia. This was a time of fertility celebrations honoring the Roman gods and goddesses. Just before the festival began women would write love letters and place them in a common urn. The men of Rome would then draw out a note and pursue the woman who wrote the message they had chosen.

It was not until 496 A.D., that Pope Gelasius declared St. Valentine as the patron saint of lovers. February 14th became the holiday honoring the saint of romantic causes and thus the name, "Valentines Day."

Many of our holidays and celebrations are derived from ancient rituals performed by people closely tied to the Earth. Pagan in nature they found ways to honor the Earth and the gods and goddesses that helped their crops grow and their families to prosper.

Although we have a different lifestyle today, we can still learn from our ancestors. Have you ever asked yourself what is the true meaning behind our traditions? I mean, going beyond the gifts and outward appearances.

What does it mean to give love or be loved? How do we respond when another wants to love us? Do we love ourselves enough to embrace all aspects of our being? Or do we just love parts of ourselves, those areas we feel comfortable with?

There is a song with a verse that goes "Love is patient, love is kind. Love does not put on airs for love is blind." I love the words and I know love is much more. It is trusting and allowing, it is vulnerability and acceptance, it is the essence of our spirit. Love will get us through our toughest challenges. Love does not judge nor is it controlling. Love is perfect.

If you were to write at the top of a page, Love, Trust, Acceptance, Patient, Kindness, Allowing and Vulnerability and under each word placed a number from 1-10 (10 being the most important in your life) what would be your score?

How would you define love and what is the most important aspect of love?

If you were to honestly answer the questions above, would you be surprised at the answers? Would you change anything in your life as a result?

Whether you believe in spiritual love, physical love, fantasy love, or self-love all have a place within the scope of our experiences. I believe that the key here is that love begins not outside ourselves but within our soul's core.

Happy Valentines Day. Take care.

Michelene

A Metaphysical, Spiritual, Holistic Publication   |   In Light Times   |   February, 2002