Valentine's Day

History and Traditions of Valentine’s Day:
Under the reign of the emperor Claudius II of Rome lived a priest call Valentine. At this time it was forbidden for young soldiers to marry. It was believed that without wives or family commitments the soldiers could go to war without distraction and there for better at performing their duties for the army. The practise of Christianity was also prohibited. Of course, as a priest, Valentine did not share in this view. Valentine began secretly marring young couples who wished to be wed, in spite of the new laws, following the rituals of the Christian Church.

The emperor Claudius II soon learned of Valentines’ activities and gave him the option of renouncing his Christian faith and he would be forgiven or if not he would be executed for treason. Valentine refused and was thrown into prison to await his execution.

While in prison Valentine had a jailer by the name of Asterio. Asterio had a daughter,Julia who had been blind from birth. He thought it would be funny to taunt Valentine and he challenged him to teach Julia. Instead Valentine healed Julia of her blindness. Seeing this Asterio and his whole family converted to Christianity, but alas this miracle was not to safe Valentine. He was to be executed on the 14th of February. Before the execution Valentine wrote a letter to Julia and signed it “your Valentine” That was the origin of the tradition of writing messages and signing them as “your Valentine”. According to legend Julia planted an almond tree of pink flowers next to Valentines’ tomb. Today the tree of almonds is a symbol of lasting love and friendship.

Different traditions of Valentine’s Day
People around the world have different traditions on Valentine’s Day. Most give flowers, roses and chocolates to demonstrate the esteem to their loved ones and friends.
Many countries in Europe celebrate Valentine's Day in a manner that is very similar to how we celebrate in Canada and the United States. Germany and Spain are similar as they show their love to their lovers by exchanging gifts, chocolates, roses and flowers and in Austria flowers also are exchanged among lovers.

France and Britain both tend to be slightly less inclined to give treats and flowers in the celebrations of Valentine's Day. Lovers in Britain spend the weeks leading up to Valentine's Day writing sonnets and verses for their loved ones. In France it is traditional for a "cartes d' amities" to be created for your loved one. This is an elegant card pronouncing your love for the recipient of the card.

CHRISTMAS IDEAS

Christmas is that time of year when we express the sincere gratitude to our family, friends and clients. But what makes Christmas special is the spirit of giving and sharing. While children can’t wait for Christmas morning to open presents; we, adults experience the joy of giving. And hopefully, our Christmas gifts are gifts of love.
Flowers are gift everyone enjoys, and they are the perfect holiday gift for your loved ones, colleagues or clients. Here are some suggestions:
• Delight your host with our special Glacial Whites when coming for a dinner or holiday party or with Evergreen Holly Basket
• Sweeten the holidays for your loved ones by giving them the SWEET CHRISTMAS gift basket.
• To warm up the cold mornings, send your friend our delicious COFFE AND TEA BASKET and the best coffee, tea, biscuits and jelly will be delivered to them.

For more ideas go to http://www.moneflowers.com/category-s/74.htm

Beatiful home Christmas decorations are inseparable part of the seasoon. Mone Flowers will take over the worries and prepare your home for the holidays with fresh greens and beautiful Christmas arrangements. Invite us to decorate your home for the holidays and let us take one worry off your shoulders. Contact us and we will be glad to come to your home creating the holiday spirit!

THREE REASONS TO LOVE FLOWERS

By Susan Hall

From: Health Magazine

Flower power wasn’t just a late-sixties thing. New research shows the sight and smell of flowers can change your brain chemistry and make you feel more positive, says Jeannette Haviland-Jones, PhD, professor of psychology and director of the Human Emotions Lab at Rutgers University. Here, other perks of living with flowers.

You’ll feel more up
Reach for a bunch of gerbera daisies instead of a pint of Ben & Jerry’s when you’re down. In a study by Haviland-Jones, women who unexpectedly received flowers displayed instant happiness —and were still in good moods three days later.

You’ll stress less
Turn your home into a sanctuary with bright blossoms. In a Harvard Medical School study, people who kept fresh-cut flowers around the house felt less anxiety.

You’ll get creative
Keep blooms in your office for inspiration. Texas A&M University researchers found that women had more innovative ideas and solutions to problems when flowers were nearby.

Have you heard of Feng Shui?

Do you want to increase the flow of energy in your home or office or improve the energy of some parts of your home or office? Do it with the help of the colors and shape of fresh flowers and Feng Shui!

Feng means wind and shui means water. Feng Shui is a way of harmonizing your place of residence or work to ensure continuous flow of positive energy - like wind and water. A house or an office can be rearranged for good chi (positive energy flow) using the ancient Chinese feng shui technique.

The universal language of flowers crosses cultural boundaries, interpretations or meanings. The feng shui use of the flowers symbol is based on the same universal feeling that flowers evoke in all humans - a feeling of beauty, grace, and a delicate, alive sensuality.

In addition to the energy of beauty and grace, flowers also bring a flourishing, good luck and numerous blessings, quality of Chi to any home. Feng shui-wise, attention is often paid to colors, numbers, as well as the symbolism of specific flowers.

Specific colors of flowers or particular types of flowers are best placed in certain locations for the optimum effect. Pink flowers, for example are thought to be a good choice for the bedroom, since they encourage harmony and tenderness. Red tulips encourage romance. Lilies are good for balancing out active areas of the home. Orchids will encourage harmony and peace after arguments. Green round-leafed plants are especially good in areas that have a lot of electronic equipment, such as a home theatre or home office. A wreath of flowers on the door provides protection, especially if reflective ribbons are included.
Depending on their colour and shape flowers will enhance the chi energy of particular directions.

Below is the description of most popular flower symbols, intentions and meaning as used in feng shui applications:

Sunflowers: can bring a wonderful stabilizing influence and prosperity to your home.
Roses: will add romance, style and calm if placed in the west part of your home.
Chrysanthemums: bring laughter and happiness, and also harmony and protection to your home.
Lilies: one of the eight treasures, these are seen as an emblem of summer abundance. They can also reinforce the knowledge and fame areas of your home.
Tulips: Carry metal energy, red tulips in a western aspect create romance, and pink tulips evoke pleasure.
Iris: is associated with vitality, passion and free energy.
Carnations: The pink and red ones enhance romance and pleasure while the white carnations add dignity and serenity.
Daisy: white daisies will add tranquillity when placed in the north part of your home, dignity in the northwest and motivation in the northeast.
Mimosa: With its abundance of small yellow balls mimosa increases the chi energy of the centre. So place them in the centre of your home to keep your life more centred.
Anemone: Associated with metal energy and red ones in a west facing bathroom could help prevent chi energy from dispersing.

If you are following the Pa Kua system, and have divided your living space into areas, here are some specific colors that are appropriate for the regions of your home:

Yellow Flowers: place in the west of your home to bring wealth.
Pink Flowers: place in the southwest of your bedroom to bring love.
Orange Flowers: place in the southeast of your home to bring good relations between you and others.
White and pastel Flowers: reinforce the region of creativity.
Green and purple Flowers: bring prosperity place in the prosperity region of your home.
Red Flowers: bring fame place in the fame region of your home.


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