Valentine's Day, Every Tarot Reader's Nightmare

Unfortunalely, due to all the hype and advertising that our North American Culture takes part in, Valentine's Day has become the MOST OBSESSIVE season of the year for American Women.

Whether in an established relationship, a developing relationship, or no relationship at all, my phone begins ringing off the hook right around February 1st, each and every year with nine out of ten questions being "Will he get me something for Valentine's Day".

These women are desperately hoping that a gift, or a card, or flowers will validate their femininity. It's ridiculous.

This one day is no different from any other day of the year, with the exception that the greeting card industry has so hyped it up since we were very young to bring us a heavy expectation which is seldom met. Gratification is sought by a validation of love..........from a source outside of ourselves, that is neither healthy nor value-added.

Yes, of course it is sweet for someone who cares for you to mark the occassion and make us feel cared about, but so much emphasis has been put on this faux holiday that I tend to take the week off from my practice right before the infamous VD.

The sad part is, 99% of women who are so concerned with the occassion are not in active, established relationships. They usually are just beginning to date, or are still pining over a lost love that they believe may magically reappear on the lover's holiday. Totally unrealistic and setting themselves up to fail miserably.

Those in the beginnings of the dating ritual are the worst. The energy they put out in anticipation of some huge display of admiration or affection just pushes the men in their lives away.

It is just another day. If someone loves you, (actively), they will mark the occcassion. A simple card or a night out to dinner is more than sufficient to satisfy a healthy adult need for validation, yet women will anticipate a Valentine Santa.

The most quixotic piece of this heart-shaped puzzle is that on February 15th they forget about it, the validation and gratification, instantaneously!

If the new date didn't get frightened away by this intense "need", the women become "normal" again and realize that they had unrealistic expectations and calm down into normal dating patterns. If they are not actively dating they realize that it is a fantasy to expect recognition when not actively socially involved, and if they are in an active relationship they realize that the gentleman in question either noted the day appropriately, thus relationship continues......or if the gentleman failed, they reconsider their options.

Forget about the date of February 14th if you wish to be happy. If the occassion is marked for you, WONDERFUL!!! But if it is not, it does not mean that your life is empty, it just means that you need to focus on yourself a little more. Your world will not end if FTD does not ring your doorbell. Make your OWN romantic holidays. The day you met your love, his birthday, your birthday, a day you feel exceptionally "sexy", you don't need a calendar!!!

And please, if you are not in an active relationship, don't try to manifest one out of desperation just so you get a pretty red heart-shaped card, it is only paper and ink, keep your standards high.

This, of all holidays, is the most commercially driven holiday in America today. Don't fall prey to the marketing campaign. It is just another day!