As Valentine’s Day approaches, interesting thoughts arise. Today, I don’t want to delve into the traditions of this holiday—neither its pagan roots, nor its Christian origins, nor its modern interpretations. But the energies swirling around during these days tend to be very tangled, complex, and sometimes not filled with love, but rather draining.

This is likely connected to the energies people bring into it themselves. Our thoughts, feelings, and actions create a certain atmosphere around any event. Some are happily buying heart-shaped gifts for their significant other, others are gloomily ruminating about their loneliness, and some are on their “own wavelength,” unaffected by the energies created by those around them. All of this creates a certain chaos.

This same chaotic energy is often felt before the calendar New Year. Everyone exhales once the date set by society has passed.

For many, the concept of the “new year” is no longer tied to December 31st—some celebrate it during Samhain or Yule, others count their years “personally,” from birthday to birthday, and there are other individual significant dates that can serve as a starting point.

And now—here comes the Day of Love. A day when, it seems, one can boldly express their feelings. Some rejoice in this, others are indignant. I can understand both. In my perception, every day should be a day of love—not just for a partner, but for oneself, for life, for the world, for the Gods, for everything!

But if someone needs a reason to express their feelings—let it be.

Today, for those who want to spend this day productively, not just in a romantic context (or not just pondering whether loneliness is a punishment or freedom), I want to offer some guidance: what you can work on, what you can do, and what you’ll need for it.

💝 For those in love and relationships 💝

I think those who are in love and with their partner have the opportunity to express their feelings every day. And ideally, that’s how it should be. Not waiting for occasions to give gifts or say “I love you,” but saying it daily, and doing little nice things spontaneously and from the heart.

But it’s a holiday, right? You can arrange a romantic evening, spoil each other with gifts… Or you can infuse it with the right intentions, using the swirling energies of love to create what you need.

This day is great for rituals aimed at harmonizing relationships—not to fix mistakes or achieve a specific goal, but to create a background harmony between you. There are plenty of symbols around, and finding suitable materials for rituals won’t be a problem. You can perform a ritual to harmonize the energetic background or charge certain symbols as amulets or talismans, filling them with the energies of love. For example, a crystal or cluster of rose quartz can help maintain harmony between partners if placed in the bedroom or living room. You can also charge a gift for your partner with a ritual. Even chocolate candies can be used for this—perform a ritual with them, filling them with love, passion, and desire, and then enjoy them together with your partner!

You can also connect with the Goddess in her aspects as the Goddess of Love. It’s important not only to ask for something but also to express gratitude: for her favor, for her gift of Love that she has given you. Ask for support on the challenging path of love, for understanding between you and your partner, for passion and joy in your relationship that will never run dry. You can offer the Goddess gifts: wine, fruits, sweets, flowers, light red or pink candles, and decorate your home and altar with shells (a symbol of the Goddess Aphrodite), doves, or swans (birds of peace, love, and fidelity). Be sincere in your gratitude and appeals, and She will surely be by your side, aiding you in matters of love!

🔥 For those who are single 🔥

There’s a common saying about loneliness: everyone chooses whether it’s a curse or a blessing, a punishment or freedom. In the context of the holiday of love, I can divide loneliness into two categories: those who are tormented by it and those who have consciously chosen it for various reasons.

In any case, now is a good time to work on yourself. Psychological, meditative, ritual, or diagnostic work using divination systems—anything. Depending on your feelings and needs, you can do a lot for yourself. By the way, this applies to those “in a relationship” as well—thinking about your personal growth and emotional intelligence is important in any state.

  • You can analyze and address the blocks, fears, and obstacles that prevent you from entering harmonious relationships or finding the right partner. For this, you can use psychological or meditative practices, work with metaphorical cards, fairy tale therapy, or Tarot, rune, or oracle readings. Remember, when asking questions, you must be ready to hear the answers. Perhaps not all answers will come immediately, and not all processes will start right away. But now—both on the energies of “society” and in anticipation of spring—is a good time to launch the mechanism of self-discovery and step into the light, toward new relationships.
  • You can perform rituals to attract love, enhance your ability to charm, or draw a partner to you. During this period, it’s good not only to attract an abstract (or specific—depending on your preference) partner but also to create a portrait of the person you want to see by your side. This can be a practice on the border of psychology and magic. Formulating your desires for the person you want to see next to you is a psychological practice. Using this image in a ritual is a magical one.
  • You can also appeal to the Goddess with a wish for love, offering her gifts, thanking her for the love that fills your life (and I’m not just talking about romantic love—the Goddess also governs creative love and love for life in general), asking for her favor, for her to help your life’s path cross with the one you will love and who will love you.

🌹 About love in general 🌹

There’s another aspect I mentioned at the beginning of the article.

Love is not just a feeling for a specific person. Love for the world, for life, for the Gods, for animals and nature, for children, for loved ones, for oneself… It is multifaceted, just as everything in our lives is multifaceted.

Now—let’s be honest about things, not just now, but always, but if you need a reason to remember, here it is!—it’s a good time to perform any rituals, ceremonies, and practices aimed at self-acceptance, at feeling love and gratitude for the love of everything around you.

  • You can honor the memory of your ancestors—after all, it was their love that created the lineage in which you found your embodiment.
  • You can perform a ritual of gratitude to the Gods and ask them to fill you with a sense of love and harmony for everything around you.
  • You can work on yourself: treat yourself, demonstrating self-love, reflect on how you relate to yourself on all levels (from the physical body to the energetic), and engage in practices related to the heart chakra.
  • You can perform a good deed—whether as a ritual for healing a sick person or as real help (sometimes it’s a kind word, spreading information, or sometimes a small financial contribution or donating blood).

Love always and in everything—and may the favor of the Gods of Love be with you! Express your love—in relationships, career, creativity, magic, helping others. Be open, fill yourself, and fill the world!

Join my magical ritual “Weaving of Hearts” on February 12. And may Love be with you!

© Elena Shuwany