Know Thyself through what you celebrate.
I do not observe Valentine’s Day. I believe it to be commercialized, inorganic, and mercenary. But in an attempt to try and be more open minded, I gave it a look. Here’s what I came up with:
Saint Valentine, an Italian (shocking) 3rd-century Roman saint who was commemorated in Western Christianity on February 14th. What coincides with our ‘holiday’ today is that for centuries, his feast day has been associated with a tradition of courtly love. What doesn’t quite equate to today is that he is the patron saint of epilepsy, beekeepers and the city of Terni. He was martyred for ministering to persecuted Christians. More elaborate versions of the story is restoring sight to a blind daughter of one of his jailers and upon his execution wrote her a letter signed ‘Your Valentine’.
In the 19th century, handmade cards gave way to mass-produced greetings, and as with everything else, in the 20th and 21st centuries all soul was removed and it was as monetized, commercialized, and dehumanized to scientific perfection.
Seems I am not swayed. Anywho, Happy St. V Day.
Last Updated on 03/10/2026 by Death of Hypatia Inc.
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