Venus Loves Saint Valentine

Venus Approves Saint Valentine’s Day Love

Valentinus was a Roman Christian priest martyred during the reign of Claudius II (Claudius Gothicus). Valentinus was imprisoned for marrying Christian couples and aiding Christians. Helping Christians at this time was a crime. Claudius liked Valentinus, until he felt pressured to convert. Valentinus wanted Claudius to change his Religion from the Pantheon of Rome to Christianity, so Claudius condemned Valentinus to death. Valentinus was beaten with clubs and stoned; when that failed to kill him, he was beheaded outside the Flaminian Gate in 270 AD.

The name Valentinus was popular in ancient Rome. Valentinus comes from the Latin “valens” meaning “valiant, brave, strong, passionate”. It is unknown why February 14th is Celebrated as Saint Valentine’s Day. Perhaps there was an earlier Pagan Festival on this date, as with most other Holy Days. I imagine for as many cupids that are used now for this day, that it was perhaps more fittingly Aphrodite’s Day or Venus’s Day.

Since Valentine’s Day is about LOVE, I feel that the Goddess Venus approves of this Christian Holiday. I see Saint Valentine as one lesser aspect of the Supreme Goddess of Love. Venus’ love knows no bounds, where as St. Valentine is bound largely to Christian couples in a Capitalist Consumer Society. So every day is Happy Venus Day!!! Amen, Blessed be.