Thursday 14 February 2013

So what's with this Valentine's Day thing?



You know it's really weird how some years the media makes a bigger deal out of this than others. I swear today here in Oz, I've heard and seen at least double the normal stories and competitions for Valentine's Day, or as my son calls it...rip off the bloke day ! LOL  And it's only breakfast time!

There is a lot of confusion and contention surrounding the origins of St Valentine's Day.

Some say the original St Valentine was a priest who was jailed for secretly marrying couples when marriage was illegal...he was apparently beheaded. Yuck!

However, the roots of St. Valentine's Day lie in the ancient Roman festival of Lupercalia, which was celebrated on Feb. 15. For 800 years the Romans had dedicated this day to the god Lupercus. On Lupercalia, a young man would draw the name of a young woman in a lottery and would then keep the woman as a sexual companion for the year.

Pope Gelasius I was, understandably, less than thrilled with this custom. So he changed the lottery to have both young men and women draw the names of saints whom they would then emulate for the year (a change that no doubt disappointed a few young men). Instead of Lupercus, the patron of the feast became Valentine. For Roman men, the day continued to be an occasion to seek the affections of women, and it became a tradition to give out handwritten messages of admiration that included Valentine's name.

This was probably the real story...but hey, I think that Festival of Lupercalia sounds kinda fun don't you?

So back to what we think it is all about...spending time with someone you love...letting that special someone know how much they mean to you..all good things!

So Enjoy the day and may many St. Valentine's Blessings be upon you!

I got a Happy Valentine's Kiss this morning and will be having champagne tonight!

Tell us what you did or are going to do to celebrate!

16 comments:

Shelley Munro said...

I'm so cyncial about days like this. It's retailers trying to get us to spend our money after the Christmas lull. Personally, I don't think there should need to be a special day. Tell your loved ones you love them, give them flowers, chocolates or a hug when the mood strikes. Romance should be every day! Rant over :)

JP said...

I'm separated from my honey right now, so it was nice to get 2 cards in the mail today. Just sappy I know, but still nice.

aureliatevans said...

Me? I celebrate Feb. 15, the half-off lots-o-chocolate day when I buy myself lots of truffles.

We write erotica and erotic romance. Who needs Valentine's Day when we get steamy all year? :D

Virginia E said...

In Valentine's days, Roman soldiers were forbidden to marry until their term of service was completed. (If they lived long enough.) A soldier had to be deeply in love to risk execution for trying to marry his beloved.

Bravo to Valentine for risking it all for true love.

I'll pass on the once a year extravagances for a daily life filled with the little things that show how much you care.

Hot Ash Romance Novels said...

Interesting story, and I wouldn't doubt the possibility of the Roman tradition. Most pagan holidays were 'rebranded' by Christians.

We have dinner reservations at one of the nearby hotels.

Unknown said...

When I worked in an office enviroment it was all about the bragging rights - who got the biggest bunch of flowers delivered. Blah! Respect, love and honesty every day is much more romantic in my opinion.

Cindy Spencer Pape said...

Great info. My hubby calls Valentine's Day "amateur hour." So I'll probably get some smooches, then get flowers or chocolate on some other random day when he feels like it or I need a morale boost.

Dalton Diaz said...

Well, I'm allergic to most flowers and chocolate, so DH is pretty much off the hook. I tend to make a nice dinner, but no one will be around tomorrow to eat it. Both boys still at home have girlfriends, so mom doesn't rate anymore. So that makes Feb 14th around here...a typical Thurs.
Ok, I may make a special dessert.

Imogene Nix said...

Excellent post Maggie.

Lisabet Sarai said...

I don't see why the Pope should have objected to the Lupercalia customs!

Excellent post, Maggie (I especially like the "Rip off the bloke day" comment.)

If anyone's interested, I have a short story on my website in which I provide my take on the origin of St. Valentine's Day

http://www.lisabetsarai.com/originvalentines.html

Happy day to all!

Mai said...

Lovely post Mags!

Maggie Nash said...

Yep...my son agrees with you Shelley - hence the "rip off the bloke" day quote :-)

JP - how lovely to get those cards!

Aurelia - lots of chocolate sounds good to me! And you're right...wer're surrounded by romance all day and all night!

Yep Virginia and Donna...better to show people you care every day.
Have a wonderful dinner with Mr Amazing Ash!

Cindy...Amateur hour! Love it! I guess it takes a real romantic to think of something lasting for the whole year round huh?

DD - a nice dinner sounds great to me! I'm cooking San Choi Bow :-)

Thanks Imogene and Lisabet! Yes, my son can come up with some good quotes for me sometimes :-) I must head on over to your website and read your story :-)

Maggie Nash said...

Thanks Mai! Thanks for dropping by!

Unknown said...

Well, I had a nice day planned getting breakfast and facials with my friend, but I came home last night and my washer was broken. I need it working, so looks like I will spend the day waiting for the repair man. I get to go to a drumming workshop tonight, then dinner with another friend. My honey and I will celebrate this weekend. Yeah, it's kind of a commercial holiday, but good to get the economy stimulated. Sorry guys, get out that wallet again! Really, a little secret, most of us love those mushy cards and hand-written love notes better than all the other stuff. Nice post and great comments

Dalton Diaz said...

San Choi whaaat?

Heather said...

Some interesting origins, that's for sure. No flowers or candy here, though I did receive a card in the mail. Friends and I will celebrate the anti-holiday this weekend with our annual Ladies Night - no kids or husbands allowed.