About the Origins and History of Valentine’s Day

By N.S. Gill, About.com

The origins of Valentine’s Day may be a bit disappointing. Valentine’s Day is probably named for a saint. Its transformation into a love-fest seems to have been catalyzed by a single Englishman in the 14th century — well beyond the termination date for bawdy Roman fertility festivals, like the Lupercalia.

Chaucer first linked the February holiday of Valentine’s Day, a martyred saint’s day, with romance, and even then, not really romance, but birds mating. Then, after some centuries of an increasingly popular association between Valentine’s Day and romance came the development of cheap-to-mail paper Valentine’s Day cards and the birth of an American holiday in the mid-19th century.

It may not be fair to say that Valentine’s Day has its origin in antiquity, but there were romantic spring holidays (Gamelion and Lupercalia) and a St. Valentine or 2.

Valentine’s Day Saint #1:

There may have been a real Valentine, a 3d-century priest who defied Emperor Claudius II’s ban against wartime marriages. According to legend, Valentine performed secret marriages until he was discovered, put to death, and buried on the Flaminian Way. [See Oruch for why this doesn’t work historically.]

Valentine’s Day Saint #2:

There’s another legend in which a Valentine, persecuted for helping Christians, restored the eyesight of his jailer’s blind daughter, and then maintained a secret correspondence with her to which he signed his name “your Valentine.”

Another Derivation of Valentine:

Even more speculative is the notion that Valentine’s name was originally “Galantine,” signifying “gallant,” a word with more obvious associations with courtship. The shift in consonant to “v” is explained as the way medieval French peasants pronounced the letter “g.”

Valentine was a popular name among the Romans, with emperors named Valens and Valentinian.

Christianization of Lupercalia:

Another theory is that Pope Gelasius I replaced the pagan festival of Lupercalia with the Christian Feast of the Purification, which was celebrated on February 14, 40 days after Epiphany. This is based on Bede who wrote about pagan customs in February, and not specifically Lupercalia. Oruch says it wasn’t until the 16th century that the pagan ceremony of Lupercalia was said to be behind Candlemas (February 2).

February’s Special Holidays:

Imbolc, Oimelc, Brigit’s Day, The Feast of the Purification of the Virgin Mary, Ground Hog’s Day, and Candlemas are all holidays that occur in the first half of February. Some believe the Christian holidays are simply renamed pagan ones.

References for Origins of Valentine’s Day:

“The Fashioning of a Modern Holiday: St. Valentine’s Day, 1840-1870,” by Leigh Eric Schmidt; Winterthur Portfolio Vol. 28, No. 4 (Winter, 1993), pp. 209-245.
“St. Valentine, Chaucer, and Spring in February,” by Jack B. Oruch Speculum, Vol. 56, No. 3. (Jul., 1981), pp. 534-565.

About.com

Daily Feng Shui News for Feb. 14th – ‘Valentine’s Day’

On Valentine’s Day you can give yourself roses in order to attract a true and lasting love. Take two pink, long-stemmed roses and remove the thorns. Place them in a white vase and position this on your bedside table. After three days, replace the roses with two new pink roses. After another three days, replace the roses again for a total of six roses in nine days. Feng Shui says that this powerful cure will attract the perfect partner into your life. If you already have one of those, then putting two pink roses in a vase in your ‘Romance/Relationship’ (far back right-hand corner) will enhance your existing relationship. Happy Valentine’s Day.

By Ellen Whitehurst for Astrology.com

Your Weekend Horoscope for Feb. 14 – 16

Weekend Love Horoscope

February 14-16: Hearts and Flowers

Maria DeSimone on the topics of love, horoscopes, astrology

This Friday is Valentine’s Day which means that life should be all about romance. But will the planets cooperate this weekend? Fortunately, the answer is a resounding YES!

On Friday a Full Moon will occur in the most romantic sign of all — Leo. This is the king of amore and you can anticipate great fulfillment if you and your sweetie have plans for a night on the town. Expect grand gestures, indulgent gifts and exquisite love making. Leo pulls out all the stops when it comes to giving love. He does everything over the top so you can anticipate feeling completely adored — even worshipped — by the one you love. You’ll also reciprocate this magnanimous spirit effortlessly which will only enhance your mutual Valentine’s Day affair.

Late Friday night the Sun will be at a fine angle to Mars which will only up the ante in the bedroom. Yes, sparks WILL fly! Then, on Saturday the Moon enters pragmatic Virgo. The energy of Friday’s Full Moon will affect you all weekend but once the Moon moves into Virgo there will be more practical attention given to each other. Saturday and Sunday love will be in the details.

Valentine’s Day Horoscopes 2014

The cosmos go to emotional extremes

Jeff Jawer on the topics of valentines day, love, horoscopes, holidays, astrology

Valentine’s Day falls on a Friday in 2014, bringing extra opportunities to celebrate the romantic mood of this holiday … which is intensified further by a Full Moon in dramatic Leo the same day! We can all expect the big gestures and extravagant emotions associated with this outgoing Fire sign. However, serious Saturn in skeptical Scorpio forms a tense square to the Full Moon, casting a shadow of doubt on our high hopes. It’s wise, perhaps, to underplay feelings to avoid unpleasant mood swings. But get more info from your sign’s horoscope to see if your heart will feel the heat of the cosmos this Valentine’s Day!

Aries (March 21 – April 19)

Your heart may be pounding hard with the outgoing Leo Full Moon in your 5th House of Romance. It’s tempting to let your feelings get the better of you, but isn’t that what this day of love is all about? Well, just don’t be overly extravagant in expressing your feelings because sobering Saturn is part of the day’s story. Its hard angles to the Sun and Moon suggest that a bit of self-restraint and patience is appropriate now.

Taurus (April 20 – May 20)

Even if your expectations are high, it’s wise to keep them within a reasonable range. Today’s Full Moon in Leo could trigger powerful feelings, especially at home, but they can swing dramatically from over-optimism to doubt and fear. Finding a middle course will allow you to enjoy the day without the stress of spending or hoping for too much. Appreciate what you have rather than counting on roses falling from the sky.

Gemini (May 21 – June 20)

While it would be nice to have plenty of leisure time to celebrate this day of love, taking care of business is likely to become your priority. Don’t make elaborate plans because the complications involved may not be worth the effort and expense. Enjoying the company of a caring person while attending to your usual tasks can, strangely enough, wind up being more satisfying than dinner in a 5-star restaurant.

Cancer (June 21 – July 22)

Celebrate this special day by making a simple plan and sticking to it. While the Full Moon in extravagant Leo might tempt you to raise your romantic hopes to the highest level, there’s something about a meal in a quiet, out-of-the-way place that’s likely to arouse romantic feelings. Avoid impulsive behavior because this holiday can add heat to a slow cooking romance, while going too fast could lead to burnout.

Leo (July 23 – Aug. 22)

The Full Moon in your expressive zodiac sign should make this a dramatic day. Your emotions can run the gamut from exhilaration to despair and back again. If you enjoy a wild ride on your powerful feelings, you’re in for a good time. But if you’d like some peace and comfort, lower your expectations and plan on a relaxed and pleasant experience instead of one that aims to be remembered forever.

Virgo (Aug. 23 – Sept. 22)

A luxurious evening in a private setting could be a perfect way to celebrate this Valentine’s Day. The extravagant Leo Full Moon occurs in your private 12th House where getting away from it all is ideal. Make this a magical time when you’re free to be as bold and playful as possible. Avoid crowded and well-lit places to share a dark corner where your imagination creates a secret, out-of-this-world atmosphere.

Libra (Sept. 23 – Oct. 22)

Celebrating this lovers’ event with a group might not sound like the most romantic idea, but it makes sense this year. That’s because today’s enthusiastic Leo Full Moon falls in your 11th House of Friends. Think of this as a time for a party rather than a private experience. Having fun with others is especially desirable because it takes some of the pressure off of spending the evening with just one person.

Scorpio (Oct. 23 – Nov. 21)

This Valentine’s Day has an aura of seriousness that makes a simple event more desirable than an extravagant one. Sobering Saturn in Scorpio forms a potent 90-degree square to today’s brash Leo Full Moon, which can take the air out of a balloon that floats on high expectations. Cooking a special dinner or planning a quiet evening in a familiar setting offers the comfort that expensive gifts are less likely to provide.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22 – Dec. 21)

A playful Leo Full Moon adds an extra degree of romance to this special day. This dramatic lunar event occurs in your 9th House of Travel, which makes planning a trip an ideal gift. If you can’t do that, take in a foreign movie or eat out in a beautiful ethnic restaurant. Enjoy the evening without making elaborate promises though, because serious Saturn is lurking in the wings to bring the hammer down on unrealistic expectations.

Capricorn (Dec. 22 – Jan. 19)

The expectations of your partner could be extremely high with today’s bold Leo Full Moon in your 8th House of Intimacy. This could turn out to be a very romantic time, but you’ll probably need to plan it carefully to fulfill your expectations. Surprises are unlikely to prove successful, because knowing exactly what’s going to happen will provide a sense of safety and comfort needed to get the closeness you want.

Aquarius (Jan. 20 – Feb. 18)

You’re usually a pretty chill and relaxed individual, but that doesn’t appear to represent your mood today. A Full Moon in dramatic Leo falls in your 7th House of Relationships to make this a highly emotional day. You or your partner might not want to do anything elaborate and would prefer a quiet evening at home. One big gesture, though, can spur romance without taking too much time or costing too much money.

Pisces (Feb. 19 – March 20)

Your romantic soul should soar on this special day thanks to a Full Moon in dramatic Leo. However, this event occurs in your 6th House of Work and Details, which can complicate your social plans. Take care of all the tasks that you can in advance to free up the time and energy needed to celebrate without distractions. Just don’t let a minor problem push buttons that turn it into a mess that makes it harder to have fun.

Mercury Retrograde on Valentine’s Day

Love gone wrong…

Jeff Kishner on the topics of valentines day, mercury retrograde, blogs, astrology

Healthy relationships depend on open communication. Unfortunately, on this Valentine’s Day the communication planet is intent on throwing a few screws into your plans. Mercury, from our perspective on Earth, moves backwards in the sky about three times a year, 22 days at a time. When Mercury goes retrograde, signals get crossed, mail gets lost, and delays and mix-ups are the order of the day. This year, Mercury turned its heels on Feb. 6 … and won’t right itself until Feb. 28.

Sure, your computer might malfunction or your bus might be late. But on Valentine’s Day, what counts is how love can go wrong. Here are just some of the things that can happen when Mercury tramples on your relationship:

• Your ex calls, and your current partner answers the phone.

• You send a sexy IM to your boss instead of your date.

• That Valentine’s Day card you sent to your long-distance “friend” comes back with “Returned to Sender” stamped on it.

• You accidentally make public your private online photos of you and your loved one … you know, those pictures.

• You forget to sign out of your email, and your partner reads that flirty email correspondence between you and your co-worker.

Mercury brings back past communications. When it’s retrograde, you’re supposed to wrap up unfinished business. Unfortunately, Valentine’s Day is not the best time for old relationships to pop up out of nowhere.

The solution? If you haven’t been completely honest about your past at this point, the most romantic of days is probably not the best time to come clean. Take some necessary precautions. When you leave the computer, double-check to make sure you signed off. Think twice before you hit “send” on that email. And know that Mercury, the trickster, will surely have something up his sleeve that you haven’t anticipated.

And on that special night, it can’t hurt to talk about all the good things that have built up to this moment. When the bad stuff rears its head, you’ll at least have had a wonderful evening to buffer the blows.

Valentine’s Day: Another Kind of Love

Spread love to everyone during this Aquarian holiday

Jeff Jawer on the topics of love, blogs, astrology, aquarius

Valentine’s Day is this Friday, February 14. The holiday that celebrates romantic love seems to have nothing to do with the saint for which it was named. Its association with amour began in the 14th century, about 1000 years after the death of St. Valentine. Although it’s a great way to sell chocolate and flowers and, hopefully, to open hearts, the astrological association with the holiday is almost as strange as its connection with a martyred priest.

The Sun is always in Aquarius on February 14. This is the sign of the Water-bearer but it’s not a sentimental Water sign. Aquarius is an Air sign characterized more by the head than the heart. Aquarius is about friendship, community and collective ideals rather than couples. It tends to be chilly, using the intellect to step back from the messy world of feelings to achieve understanding with the mind. Aquarian love is universal rather than personal and usually needs some emotional breathing space and independence to counter the confinement of intimacy.

Valentine’s Day, like Aquarius, is more about an idea than about reality. Its origins in the 14th Century reflect the romanticism of the Middle Ages … which was a model for spiritual rather than erotic love. (Robert Johnson’s book “We” is a good source of information on this subject.) Romantic yearning represented a desire for a divine connection, not personal pleasure. The partner was a symbol for God and the desire to experience sacred union. This model comes closer to Aquarius because it’s an ideal instead of a physical reality.

A higher plane

But the myth of romance has permeated culture for so many centuries that we’ve lost sight of its higher meaning. The unspoken expectation of becoming complete within a relationship is bound to produce disappointment. While personal love can be a delicious affirmation of our desirability, and intimacy serves as a bulwark against isolation, human partnerships usually fall short of our highest hopes. The familial, emotional, physical and financial connections we share within them have their divine moments but cannot confer immortality or answer life’s biggest metaphysical questions.

Romantic love comes with strings attached. Desire, jealousy, conflicting values and contrasting tastes are tests for even the most harmonious couples. Chocolate, flowers, champagne, a good dinner and great sex go a long way to erasing the illusion of our separateness but cannot eliminate it entirely. And depending on one person as the source of love is not an Aquarian formula for fulfillment … being part of a community is.

The sign of selfless love

One connection Aquarius has with romantic love is its opposition to Leo. The Lion is the sign of the heart and represents the personal experience of amour. It’s the rising of excitement we feel in the chest when someone arouses our feelings. It is the expression of affection that flatters others and warms ourselves. Yet if Leo is the heart, Aquarius is the circulatory system. The Water Bearer distributes, which is an important message about another kind of love. It is the love of humanity, called “agape” by the Greeks.

Agape aligns with Aquarius’ community consciousness and represents a less personal but equally noble expression of the human heart. Giving to others without expecting anything return is generosity of the highest order. It is a reminder that a truly Aquarian Valentine’s Day gift would be a contribution to a charity or acting as a volunteer for an organization. We can still give our chocolates and flowers for personal romance but contributing to people in other ways will make this day of love even more complete

Your Love Horoscopes for the Week of February 10th

The week that hosts the most romantic day of the year — Valentine’s Day — isn’t likely to disappoint. Still, it’ll start out with more sobriety than you may want to deal with. That’s because the Sun will square off with Saturn on Tuesday, and it may feel difficult to shine in the presence of your lover. In fact, you might feel slighted — as if he or she has more criticism than positive feedback. Nevermind, because the weekend is what really matters. A Full Moon in Leo on Valentine’s Day promises hearts, flowers and bold declarations of love. Combined with a trine between the Sun and Mars on the same day there will also be plenty of energy for “dessert.”

Aries Horoscope (Mar 21 – Apr 19)

When it comes to passion, you want to focus on the extraordinary lineup of planetary energy that begins on Friday. First, a Full Moon in your romance sector on Valentine’s Day will bring emotional fulfillment. If you’re dating someone special you’ll know your love is true. If you’re single, you might feel that emotional longing to love again. The good news, however, is that instead of feeling sorry for yourself, you’ll socialize. In fact, an outing with friends might lead to an unexpected meeting with someone who drives you wild!

Taurus Horoscope (Apr 20 – May 20)

Romance might not be your first priority early in the week. On Tuesday, it’s possible you’ll feel frustrated with your mate if you get the sense that he or she isn’t supporting one of your professional goals. Keep in mind that your love might come across as hard on you but this is only because he or she wants you to be the best you can be. By Friday, you might be ready to introduce a new love interest to your family or meet his or her clan.

Gemini Horoscope (May 21 – Jun 20)

Distractions at work early in the week won’t ruin your chances for romantic enjoyment by the weekend. In fact, by then you’ll feel as if you’ve earned your fun … and you certainly will have! An entertaining conversation with someone special might lead to an exciting evening on Friday. If you’re dating someone, it’s possible you’ll exchange meaningful cards for Valentine’s Day that are filled with poetic sentiments about your affection for one another. The best part of the weekend, however, will be your incredibly adventurous sex drive. Savor it!

Cancer Horoscope (June 21 – Jul 22)

You might feel hopelessly frustrated in matters of the heart on Tuesday. Your lover might not be as willing to open up as you are, and instead of respecting his or her space, you might interpret it as a personal affront. Don’t be hypersensitive. Instead, try to see where your lover is coming from. He or she may have significant trust issues to overcome. If you can assure your sweetheart that you’re in it for the long haul, you might help to loosen the vice grip around his or her heart.

Leo Horoscope (Jul 23 – Aug 22)

When it comes to love, this is certainly your time to shine. A Full Moon in Leo on Friday promises you’ll wear your heart on your sleeve. You’ll have every intention of enjoying Valentine’s Day fun to the max with your sweetie. In your typical grand fashion you’ll likely spoil your lover with an extravagant gift or an over the top display of affection. You might also plan for an extra special night out — one that your mate will remember for years to come.

Virgo Horoscope (Aug 23 – Sep 22)

You might second-guess your lovability quotient early this week — especially near Tuesday. You might fear rejection, and because of this you may keep your crush for someone a complete secret. If you choose to go this route you’ll only be cheating yourself, because you’ll never know what might have been. Have the courage to move past any self-doubt and claim the love you deserve. If attached, you might be in for a spectacular romantic surprise on Valentine’s Day that your love has managed to keep under wraps.

Libra Horoscope (Sep 23 – Oct 22)

You might feel frustrated in romantic matters early this week because it’s possible that a lover might leave you flat broke. Are you feeling pressured to come up with an extravagant Valentine’s Day gift? If so, you might break the bank in order to impress your sweetheart. Don’t go shopping close to Tuesday — you will only regret such poor judgment. By Friday, however, you’ll be in a sweet spot to enjoy social fulfillment with your lover and incredibly gratifying “extra-curricular” activities as well!

Scorpio Horoscope (Oct 23 – Nov 21)

Domestic strife might cut into romance for you — at least early in the week. Your obligations at home have been quite intense, and it’s likely you’re feeling more confused about how to balance family and the rest of your life. Try to cut yourself some slack and recognize that even you have a breaking point. If you’re feeling overwhelmed between work and career responsibilities you’ll have no room to enjoy what could be a spectacular Valentine’s Day weekend. That would be a shame.

Sagittarius Horoscope (Nov 22 – Dec 21)

You might feel as if no matter how hard you try to convey yourself to your partner, he or she just isn’t “getting” you. Mercury will backpedal into your message sector on Wednesday, making it even more difficult for you to get your message across easily. Being misunderstood might frustrate you so much that you decide to exchange conversations as little as possible. Make an exception for Valentine’s Day, however. You’ll have a boost of support if you and your sweetie are out and about.

Capricorn Horoscope (Dec 22 – Jan 19)

One of your friends might leave you feeling filled with self-doubt about your ability to attract someone in your mutual social circle. Before you give into his or her criticism, consider whether or not this person is a true friend, or if they are merely trying to sabotage your potential love match. It’s possible this pal doesn’t have your best interests at heart. If you’re in a relationship, however, you can expect an erotically delicious Valentine’s Day. Deep, transformative, emotional connection is possible between you and your mate.

Aquarius Horoscope (Jan 20 – Feb 18)

Your boss might be so hard on you early in the week that it leaves you feeling gloomy. Put your nose to the grindstone and deliver whatever is required on the job so that by Friday you can enjoy your Valentine’s Day weekend freely. In fact, if you’re in a relationship, the Full Moon in your partnership sector on Friday will allow you and your mate to enjoy a special, sentimental bond. You might even choose to deepen your commitment by moving in together, becoming engaged or even deciding to marry.

Pisces Horoscope (Feb 19 – Mar 20)

You might become so private about your thoughts this week that your partner convinces him or herself that you’re hiding something. Do your best to address any paranoia before it gets out of hand. Reassure your mate that you are “all in,” but that sometimes you require an extraordinary amount of alone time to recharge your spiritual batteries. A great compromise would be to spend the weekend at a spa where you could enjoy a couple’s massage or other pampering treatment.

Valentine’s Day: Another Kind of Love

Spread love to everyone during this Aquarian holiday

Jeff Jawer on the topics of aquarius, love, blogs, astrology

Valentine’s Day is Thursday, February 14. The holiday that celebrates romantic love seems to have nothing to do with the saint for which it was named. Its association with amour began in the 14th century, about 1000 years after the death of St. Valentine. Although it’s a great way to sell chocolate and flowers and, hopefully, to open hearts, the astrological association with the holiday is almost as strange as its connection with a martyred priest.

A higher plane of love

The sign of self-less love

Valentine’s Day Horoscopes 2013

Venus and the Moon align in the name of love

Maria DeSimone on the topics of venus, valentines day, love, horoscopes, astrology

Isn’t it nice when the planets cooperate on a special day? When it comes to matters of the heart, there is no greater cosmic connection than to have a happy link between love planet Venus and the Moon, which rules our deep emotional needs and tender feelings. These two planets together spell affection, hugs, kisses and warmth for Valentine’s Day 2013.

Lucky for us, this Valentine’s Day we get to enjoy an extraordinary link between the Moon and Venus! As if that wasn’t enough, the Sun (masculine energy) and the Moon (feminine energy) will also be at a gorgeous angle to one another, allowing your emotions to shine through with ease.

In fact, because the Moon will be in fiery Aries this Valentine’s Day, you can expect to feel a strong amount of courage when it comes to telling the object of your affection exactly how you feel. You might be bold and make the first move to ask someone out on a date if you’re single and someone has captured your attention.

No Valentine this year? Well, don’t expect to have one of those lonely, pathetic Valentine’s Days where you stare at happy couples with bitter resentment. Not with the Moon in independent Aries connected to the Sun and Venus in social Aquarius!

Instead, you and your single friends might decide to throw your own Valentine’s Day friendship bash or attend a party and mingle. Either way, your sexy factor will definitely be in high gear!

Look up your zodiac sign below to get your individual love forecast for Valentine’s Day.