Valentine's Day

Ahh, Valentine's Day. Day for lovers and... another commercial attempt to stimulate the economy. I know, I know, don't be such a downer. So here is some fun little info for you to get yourself ready for heart day.

First, a little Disney couples quiz to get you motivated (Don't worry I'll provide the answers at the end--but no peeking!)

1. She loves books but kissing her true love broke the spell.

2. This couple should have worn bibs for their puppy-love kiss.

3. He thought kissing would be niiice, but the idea turned her green.

4. He didn't kiss the girl at first, but made a big splash in the end.

5. Her beau knows not to ruffle her feathers, especially since they have been dating since 1937.

Next, a little history lesson. Valentine's Day is celebrated by the giving of cards, flowers and/or confections to ones lovers *hence the commercialism aspect--sorry I'll be good*. Of course, the sending of cards has been big since the nineteenth century in Great Britain.

It is named after 2 early Christian martyrs named Valentine. The funny thing is there is very little known about these saints besides their names even though they have been associated with the holiday for centuries.

The day became associated with love in the high middle ages during Chaucer's time when courtly love was becoming fashionable. Although, the poem Chaucer penned, to celebrate the engagement of King Richard II of England and Anne of Bohemia, referred to love birds mating on Valentine's birthday. However, it was unlikely he was referring to mid-February in England. More likely he was referring to early May when saints day for Valentine of Genoa was celebrated.

Now the answers to my little quiz--did you get them right?

1. Belle and the Beast

2. Lady and the Tramp

3. Princess Tiana and Prince Naveen

4. Princess Ariel and Prince Eric

5. Donald Duck and Daisy Duck

Happy Valentine's Day, friends!

February- courtly love

Courtly Love was practised during the middle ages and combined with the Code of Chivalry. There were strict rules governing the practise and members of the courts across Europe participated. Basically, it allowed knights and ladies to show their admiration regardless of marital status. During the middle ages, roughly the 1300's- 1500's, marriages were arranged and had little to do with love. A successful marriage was one that achieved material advantages to the participants and their families.

As I mentioned there were strict rules governing courtly love. However, there were occasions where the parties involved went beyond the boundaries to a deeper a relationship. The most famous example of this would be the tale of Guinevere and Lancelot. Many illicit court romances were fueled by courtly love.

The rules of courtly love were written by the 12th century Frenchman Andreas Capellanus. I have included them below.

Marriage is no real excuse for not loving

He who is not jealous, cannot love

No one can be bound by a double love

It is well known that love is always increasing or decreasing

That which a lover takes against the will of his beloved has no relish

Boys do not love until they arrive at the age of maturity

When one lover dies, a widowhood of two years is required of the survivor

No one should be deprived of love without the very best of reasons

No one can love unless he is impelled by the persuasion of love

Love is always a stranger in the home of avarice


It is not proper to love any woman whom one would be ashamed to seek to marry

A true lover does not desire to embrace in love anyone except his beloved

When made public love rarely endures

The easy attainment of love makes it of little value; difficulty of attainment makes it prized

Every lover regularly turns pale in the presence of his beloved

When a lover suddenly catches sight of his beloved, his heart palpitates

A new love puts to flight an old one

Good character alone makes any man worthy of love

If love diminishes, it quickly fails and rarely revives

A man in love is always apprehensive

Real jealousy always increases the feeling of love

Jealousy, and therefore love, are increased when one suspects his beloved

He whom the thought of love vexes eats and sleeps very little

Every act of a lover ends in the thought of his beloved

A true lover considers nothing good except what he thinks will please his beloved

Love can deny nothing to love

A lover can never have enough of the solaces of his beloved

A slight presumption causes a lover to suspect his beloved

A man who is vexed by too much passion usually does not love

A true lover is constantly and without intermission possessed by the thought of his beloved

Nothing forbids one woman being loved by two men or one man by two women

As you can see there are many ways the game could cause trouble.

Your thoughts?

Pixe

February

Welcome to the month of Romance. With Valentine's Day coming up I thought I would share a month of secret rendezvous and excitement to wet your pallet. I decided Zorro here would be a great start. Doesn't he remind you of hot Latin nights? The sultry sound of a guitar playing across the quiet evening beaches. And to top it all off...check out that sword. ;)

Have a Hot night!

Pixie