Bendicion De Amor

Love or the expressions of love can not be measured in a day! Valentine's Day, of course, we all know it’s that “special” time to show your significant other, lover, or partner how you feel. Do we not show love any other days? It’s a funny thought to me.

So if you are not familiar with the backstory of V-Day and how it has become the traditional monster that haunts men, get into the shade...

Most people with any knowledge of V-day will reference St. Valentine and the celebration of his life, but the story doesn’t technically begin here.

Ladies, hold onto your vaginas…

Ancient Rome was wild. One might even say, “'twas a hot mess.” In the month of February, Romans would celebrate a feast called “Lupercalia” dedicated to the fertility of women. A goat and a dog would be slain for purity and fertility, then the fur would be stripped and men would go about beating women with the hide of the animals. It was said that they beat women all year but on February 15, it was done with a bit more pizazz. Apparently women would line up for the event with hopes of becoming more fertile for the upcoming year. Men would pick a name from a jar and boom, the lucky lady would be paired with him for the duration of the event. I'm guessing Feast & Fu*k… a little bit of Beat & Cheat, perhaps!?

When do we get to the Valentine part?...

The Catholic Church celebrates the day to honor Valentine, who was executed by Emperor Claudius II. Who the heck is dude? Claudius GothicusakaClaudius the Cruel was born way back in May 10, 210 and was the 42nd Emperor of Rome. All his life he served the Roman army and ascended into Emperor, but his reputation was partly built on his cruelty. He forced his policies so fiercely that he did not allow his troops to marry or become engaged. He bestowed upon horny men a “No hoes for the bros” law as long as you served the army. It is said that three men with the name Valentine have existed in our time and one was a Roman Catholic Priest. Valentine went against the wishes and orders of Claudius and continued to secretly perform marriages. Claudius ordered him to be dragged, clubbed, and beheaded February 14th. He then died the same year of Valentine's murder 270. It was noted that Valentine left behind a letter to his daughter signed, “From Your Valentine.” He was declared a Saint by the church for his services.

Claud was a Taurus by the way. <3

Later on, Pope Gelasius I decided to combine both traditions in hopes that the celebration of Saint Valentine would cancel out the pagan traditions of Lupercalia. It became very theatrical and with time, the start up card company Hallmark began to create cards following the new traditions people had created. Today, it has become a huge day in marketing, bringing in millions of dollars purchased on products to show our love.

As a woman, I have mixed feelings about it all. We have been mistreated and misguided for so long that trust is a big factor. As powerful and soft as we are, our love is unconditional. The great Bryson Tiller said… “Don’t.”

He takes all of my attentionBeen breakin’ breakin’ down my wallsAll of this affectionI’m addicted to this loveBeen bending all the rulesThese are my confessionsI love him downHe keeps me up like a blessingPositivity for breakfastThe pain is for the lessonsThere’s always pain before the blessing. - Zu