VALENTINES DAY - Askganesha Astrology

On the 14^th February of every year marks the celebration of love called the Valentines Day. This day is also connoted as the Saint Valentines Day or the Feast Of the saint Valentine. It finds its roots in the Western Christian Feast day honouring one or more saints named Valentines. All over the world it is recognised as a significant cultural, religious and commercial celebration of romance and love. Many stories of Martyrdom that are associated with various Valentines all are connected to February 14^th, these includes a written account of Saint Valentine of Rome, who was imprisoned for performing weddings of soldiers, as they were forbidden to marry. He was also imprisoned because he was ministering Christians who were persecuted under the Roman Empire. Another legend that AskGanesha believes is that during his imprisonment Saint Valentine restored the sight of the blind daughter of his judge, and before his execution he wrote her a letter saying from your Valentine, as a fare well.

Who is Saint Valentine?

Whatever is reliably known about Saint Valentine is that he was he was a saint that existed during the 3^rd Century Roam and was imprisoned and executed on 14^th February, hence this date is commemorated as the day of love because he tried to associate high middle Ages with tradition of courtly Love. This day initially became associated with romantic love, only during the 14^th Century, at the time of Geoffrey Chaucer, when the tradition of courtly love was blooming. It was as recent as the 18^th century when it was evolved as an occasion, in which lovers expressed their love to each other, by presenting flowers and showering present and gifts. In Europe Saint Valentines keys are given by lovers to each other, as a romantic gesture, symbolizing as an invitation to unlock the givers heart. The same keys are given to children to ward of epilepsy.

Celebrations of Valentine's Day:

In some of the communities or communion like that of Anglican Communion and Lutheran Church also celebrate valentines day however on July 6^th and 30^th, where in the former is date that honours the Roman Presbyter Saint Valentine, while the latter is an honour of the Bishop of modern day Terni ( A small town in Central Italy,) According to one other legend To remind the soldiers, men of their vows and the love of God, Saint Valentine had said to have cut hearts from parchment, giving them to the soldiers who were persecuted by Christians. AskGanesha believes that this is the possible origin of wide spread use of hearts on Valentines Day. In modern times it is associated with love and romance, and many ways of expressing the same has been seen. Giving from the simplest of flowers to the most expensive jewelry has become a part of this celebration. AskGanesha says that in the Indian context we may not have a saint who propagated love; rather we had the god of Love Kamadeva. Some time back a group of Hindu and Muslim fundamentalists put a ban on the celebration of Valentines Day, but the day is still celebrated like any other festival in India, giving out the message of love over fanaticism.