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| Color of the day: Indigo
Incense of the day: Juniper There is some confusion about which St. Valentine we celebrate on the holiday on February 14. There are two Valentines, both of whom are venerated on the same day. One was a Roman priest martyred in 269, and the other was a bishop of Terni martyred several years earlier. Some have also suggested that the holiday is named after the Gnostic leader Valentinus, who was noted for his sanctification of sexual practices. However, the weight of opinion falls on Valentine the priest. According to the legend, Valentine was a priest in Rome under the reign of Emperor Claudius II. The emperor had ordered that all soldiers should remain unmarried so that they would not create any attachments that would interfere with their duties, especially when they were ordered to leave for war. Valentine, however, defied the emperor and secretly married the soldiers and their brides. He was eventually arrested and sent to prison to await his execution. While in prison, he fell in love with the blind daughter of the jailer, and through his faith he miraculously restored her vision. When he was led away to his death, he signed his farewell message to her with the words: "from your Valentine." The February 14 holiday is most likely a continuation of Lupercalia, a Roman holiday held in honor of Juno in mid-February. On the eve of Lupercalia, young men would draw the name of a suitable mate from a jar and agree to remain faithful to her for a year. It is believed that our modern holiday is a Christianization of this practice. This is an excellent day for love magic, but remember to allow fate to have a hand in your love life. Always avoid trying to manipulate the will of others. |
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