Valentine's Day?myth, mystery, and mirth

The origins of Valentine's Day are some what hazy but, there are two basic sources on which most scholars believe provides the basis our present holiday. The first is St. Valentine, a priest who attracted the disfavor of a Roman Emperor, Claudius II, around 270 AD. It seems that Claudius was of the mind that single men made better soldiers and so prohibited marriage for young men. Valentine disagreed with Claudius and married young couples in secret. He was eventually caught and put to death, on February 14.

A more ancient basis for Valentine's Day comes to us from the Romans, long before the birth of Christ. The festival of Lupercalia, which was to honor the goddess Februata Juno (this goddess concerned all young people of marriageable age), provides some unusual insights for more recent traditions connected to Valentine?s Day. In a sort of mating lottery game, young ladies in a district put their name, or token representing themselves, in an urn and the young men pulled a token and the couples paired off. This idea was brought to Britain during the Roman occupation and was present up until the beginning of the last century. We see a small semblance of this custom here in America, because who hasn?t asked their school age child, "Who?s your Valentine?" The named object of affection may have not been thought of before Valentine?s Day with any romantic inclinations and few of these pairing last past the school bell the next morning, but it does provide a bit of fun and a nod to the past.

The modern Valentine's Day greeting card did not achieve any sort of popularity until about 1840. This growth in popularity is thought to have come about due to the introduction of penny postage and the use of envelopes. In Victorian times cards took on a much more delicate and mysterious air. Due to the fact that Victorian fathers were very strict and would not allow their daughters to receive any sort of correspondence unless they had read it first to decide if it was suitable, secret panels were constructed into the lacy designs with secret messages of love. This fact also explains why most Valentine?s Day cards were sent anonymously during Victorian times.

One tradition that I was very unaware of is that on Valentine?s Day in a leap year it is the custom for women to ask their boyfriend or partner to marry them. Quite useful information for the woman who only is willing to wait so long! Another interesting little fact is that some of our modern-day vocabularies have their origins in Valentine's. During the Middle Ages, young men and women drew names from a bowl to see who their Valentines would be. The slip of paper with the Valentine?s name was worn on their sleeves for a week, hence the expression "to wear your heart on your sleeve".

It is interesting to note that in many of these customs of old the Valentine was chose by chance?pulling a slip of paper or a token from a vessel. What I find most intriguing about this is that most were more than happy to allow fate to choose their Valentine. It should be remembered that in the past most young people were not allowed to choose marriage partners and this custom of letting fate, the gods, or chance decide on a Valentine seems to reinforce this idea, perhaps a buffer for a later disappointment in the parents choice of a spouse. In the middle of the 17th century even married people took a Valentine and not always their legal better half.
Another Valentine's Day superstition that was very popular during Victorian times revolved around predicting whom one might marry. It was once believed that if a lady saw a robbing flying overhead on Valentine?s she would marry a sailor. If she saw a sparrow she would marry a poor man, but that the couple would be very happy. And if she witnessed a goldfinch flying above she would marry a millionaire. The association with birds is that it was then believed that love birds began to mate on February 14.

On this Valentine's Day it is my wish that you spend it with those you love most, be they your one and only, family, or friends. The tradition of Valentine?s Day has endured all this time not because the greeting card companies begin their ads early in January or due to the fact that jewelry store ads can easily be converted from Christmas to Valentine themes in a wink of an eye. No, the beautiful tradition has been carried through the ages because all of us have a common desire to love, be loved, and to show those we love most how we feel. May your expressions of love be returned to you on Valentine?s Day and always.

Elle

Pierre Shadeaux Bedtime Story

A bedtime story in honor of the origin the Cajun version of Ground Hog Day.

Only the Shadeaux Knows

By Elise Durio

Pierre Shadeaux grew up along the quiet banks of the bayous in southwest Louisiana. His love for having fun was not only legendary in the bayou, but was also the biggest reason for his popularity. He was the first one to get everyone together for a swim in the spring time, he had an uncanny affinity for knowing the best times and places for fishing, and could tell you all the days you should stay home because a storm was brewing in the swamp.

Pierre?s momma, Marie, had relied on him from the time he was very small to let her know when it was time to plant her vegetable garden. Early in February he would go out side, look around, sniff the air, and then give Marie the best date to plant. For a long time Marie kept this remarkable ability of Pierre?s a secret.

?Pierre, I know that you can tell all sorts of things that others can?t about the weather, but I want you to keep that a secret until the time is right.? Marie once told Pierre.

?Why, Momma?? Pierre was confused, because Marie had always told him to use all of his talents for his own good and that of others.

?Mon Cher, this talent to tell when the spring will be here is most unusual and will bring you much fame. I want you to be able to just be a boy, when the time is right, your talent will be shared with the world.? Marie smiled and patted Pierre?s head.

Pierre listened to his Momma, as all good Cajun children do, and had a wonderful time growing up in the swamp. He was one of the best swimmers in these parts, could catch enough fish in an afternoon to have a fish fry for all of their friends, could out run all the squirrels in the bayou, and knew all the fastest short cuts in the swamp to make it home right when Momma took her famous blackberry pie from the oven. For a very long while Pierre enjoyed himself just as Marie had hoped, but then one year a bitter cold came to the bayou.

As the long months that began early in November carried on through the New Year, the creatures along the bayou became worried. Winters in Louisiana are usually mild, but this particular one had been especially cold and dreary. As January drew to a close, the days had been the coldest ones anyone could remember and worse still, they were damp so that the cold chilled you to the bone. As Marie sat in front of the fire one night she knew the time had come for Pierre to reveal his special gift.

"Pierre, this winter has been especially fierce and everyone is afraid that the cold may never end. This year when you predict the best day for spring planting I want everyone to be here.? Marie words were spoken gently, but they surprised Pierre.

?You think that now is the time for everyone to know?? Pierre had become so accustomed to keeping his weather telling abilities a secret that he wasn?t sure how he felt about revealing them.

?Yes, Pierre, the time is right. Many of our friends are frighten that spring will never come again because the weather has been so very cold this year. They need hope.? Momma smiled at

Pierre, she knew once everyone knew that Pierre could predict the coming of spring he would be famous.

Pierre went to the window and looked out into the dark swamp. As his breath fogged the frosty window pane, Pierre knew Momma was right.

?Tomorrow, we will tell every one to meet in the clearing at sunrise on February 2. I will give my prediction for spring before every one in the swamp.? Pierre watched the darkness for a long time before he went to bed.

The next day Momma and Pierre told everyone along the bayou to be at the clearing at sunrise on February 2, but they didn?t say why. All the swamp residents were curious and it was that curiosity that got them out of their warm beds on such a cold February morning.

Just as he had all of his life, Pierre rose before dawn on the second day of February to predict if spring was soon on its way. Pierre was a bit nervous. He could easily predict the coming of spring, but to convince every one along the bayou that what he predicted would come true was another issue. Would they believe him right away, or would time have to prove him correct? The only way to find out would be to give his prediction and let time do the proving.

As Pierre made his way to the clearing he could hear nature speaking to him as she always had. Softly the clues of the future of the coming of spring rose before him, like images you see in the clouds on a summer?s day?hazy, but clear and unmistakable. When Pierre arrived in the clearing just before sunrise all of the inhabitants of bayou were already gathered. As Pierre made his way to the center of them, the group grew quite.

Pierre looked around; studying the faces of friends he had known all of his life. And it was then that Momma?s words came back to him, telling him what he should say.

?My dear friends, we have endured a long and hard winter. And many of you have mentioned that you fear the winter will last forever and spring will never again grace us with her warmth and beauty. I asked you all here this morning to share a gift with you. I have shared it with you before, but secretly. Jean, when ever I have taken you fishing, have we ever returned home empty handed??

Jean laughed, ?Be serious Pierre! You are the best fishermen in the bayou. I don?t ever remember you taking anyone fishing and not coming home with some many fish that you were able to share with neighbors.?

?And you, Mrs. Hebert, has Momma?s vegetable garden ever been planted too early, or too late?? Pierre asked their neighbor.

?Pierre, your mother?s garden is the envy of the swamp. It?s seems that it is by magic that she knows the perfect time to plant.? Mrs. Hebert had always helped Momma in the garden and had marveled at the perfect timing year after year.

?It is not by magic that her garden is planted in such a timely manner, it is by me.? Pierre smiled as he saw the sun come up over the swamp. ?I am the one who has told Momma when the spring would arrive and when to plant. I know the coming of spring the same way I know the best places to hunt and fish. Today, because all of you seem so fearful that spring will never arrive, I share my foretelling with you.

In the dreary light of a cloudy February morning Pierre took note of all the signs, just as he had always done, and foretold that spring would arrive before month?s end. Some were happy with Pierre?s words; others just shook their heads and went home. Momma, who had stood under a distant oak while Pierre gave his prediction, took Pierre by the hand and walked him home.

?Time will prove you right, then, Pierre, you will always be able to give them hope.? Momma smiled and they walked home together.

A few days later Pierre awoke to the sound birdsong. He could hear Momma?s voice singing along. A lovely tune she always sang the first warm day of spring. As Pierre lay there listening he heard Mrs. Hebert?s voice.

?Marie, I?ve just come from town and everyone is talking about Pierre. I haven?t seen so many smiles in a long time!? Mrs. Hebert told Momma.

As the years passed Pierre became renown not only in the bayou but across the state. So when your winter seems to be lasting a bit too long and you?re wondering just when spring will bring her warmth and beauty no need to worry, just ask the Shadeaux.

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