Valentine's Day Superstitions

The day of love will be upon us once again and even though I'm fortunate enough to be single there are a lot of people I know who are worried if they'll be getting any candy or flowers. I'm sure there are some who are counting on getting a ring (that is if you didn't get one at Christmas).

While Valentine's Day is just another reason for reaching into your wallet to buy some small trinket, you probably didn't know there were a few superstitions which come along with this day of love. Who knows if these superstitions are true, but maybe if you follow them you can decrease your chances of being humiliated on national television when "Mr. Right" dumps you for the next publicity starved tramp.

So if you think you'll be able to find the love of your life try these suggestions.

It's believed that on the Eve of Valentine's Day in the 1700's, it was a very popular custom for ladies to pin five bay leaves sprinkled with rose water to their pillows. One leaf was pinned in the center of the pillow and one at each corner. Prior to retiring for the evening, eggs with salt replacing the removed yokes were consumed (today you can eat a hardboiled egg) and the following little prayer was said:

"Good valentine, be kind to me. In dreams, let me my true love see."

If this worked then the lady would see her husband in her dreams that night (It's believed rosemary pinned inside the pillow will bring visions of your intended).

And while on the subject of night, if a young girl is curious and brave enough, she can conjure up the appearance of her future spouse by visiting a graveyard at midnight.

But, if the idea of salt and eggs or visiting a graveyard at midnight isn't your cup of tea, then try writing down the names of your sweetheart(s) on small scraps of paper and roll them in clay balls. Drop the balls into water and the first to surface is the man destined to be your future husband.

You can also take an apple and think of five or six names and as you twist the stem think of the name until the stem comes off. The name you were thinking of when the stem comes off is the name of your future spouse.

Marriage minded men can also do the same thing, but the practice is for ladies to write down their names on a slip of paper and place them in a bowl or jar. The lucky eligible bachelor who draws X's name has to wear the name on his sleeve for one week. This is where the saying "to wear one's heart on one's sleeve" comes from. Potential suitors of X should stay away since this is the romantic inclination of the individual.

An old English custom was for people to call out, "Good morning, 'tis St. Valentine's Day." The individual who succeed in being the first to say this then expected to receive a present from the one to whom it was said.

And while many of us hate the early morning hours, an unmarried woman who rises before sunrise on Valentine's Day should stand in the window watching for a man to pass by. It's believed that the first man she sees will be her husband within a year. (My thought on this is you should be clothed or you may get arrested).

Others believe the first man's name you read in the paper or hear will be the name of the man you marry.

Some people think if you find a glove on the road on Valentine's Day your future husband will have the missing glove (here's a quick solution. Check out the lost and found box at a restaurant or meeting place of your choosing. Let them know you found a glove and leave your number. It just might work!).

Don't forget to look skyward in your search for a mate. A robin flying overhead means you'll meet a sailor (or a crime fighter); a sparrow you'll marry a poor man, but be very happy and if you see a goldfinch (or any yellow bird) you've hit the jackpot! You'll marry a millionaire. Other birds to look for are blackbird- clergyman; bluebird- a happy man, a dove- a good man or a bat- a baseball player. Unfortunately, if you see a woodpecker you'll never worry. Sorry but that's the superstition!

Also, try not to see a squirrel on this day. If you do, your future husband will be so cheap he'll hoard your money (I'm not making this up folks!).

Have a secret crush on someone? Send a Valentine card, but don't sign it. Doing so defeats the object of sending it.

Guys remember this piece of advice when it comes to sending flowers. If you send a single red rose (in full bloom) or a dozen roses it means "I love you" and tea roses means "I'll remember always." To be on the safe side, sent violets since legend states that violets grew outside the jail where St. Valentine was imprisoned. The violet is symbolic of faithfulness and a violet stone (the amethyst) is also lucky for sweethearts.

If you need to send a rose(s) here are their meanings:

Coral- Desire

Lavender- Enchantment and uniqueness

Orange- Fascination

Peach- Modesty; gratitude; admiration and sympathy

Pink (pale)- Grace; joy and happiness

Pink (dark)- Thankfulness, friendship and admiration

Red- Love, respect and courage

Deep Red- Beauty and passion

White- Innocence; purity; secrecy, silence, reverence, humility, true love

Yellow- Joy; friendship; jealousy; hope; freedom

Black- Farewell (duh!)

Red/White- Unity or engagement

Yellow/Orange- Passionate Thoughts

Whatever you decide to do this V-Day, have fun and if you're alone who cares?