Non-consumerist Valentine's Day
In modern times, Valentine’s Day seems heavily geared towards consumer displays of romance, not Stardust’s core themes of learning, health, and sustainability, but Valentine’s Day has a long and storied history. This month, I wanted to showcase how a holiday that celebrates love does actually relate to sustainability, community, and health.
From Lupercalia to Valentine
From February 13th-15th, Ancient Romans celebrated Lupercalia, a
hedonistic festival where men sacrificed animals, for purposes of fertility, and held a lottery to pair couples together.
In the fifth century, after the Catholic Church achieved Western cultural dominance, Pope Gelasius I combined St. Valentine’s Day, which celebrated two Christian martyrs, with Lupercalia, to hopefully stamp out the latter festival’s pagan and orgiastic elements.
The holiday’s romantic and consumer identity evolved over centuries, but truly became commercialized during the industrial revolution when Hallmark began selling cards in 1913.
I'm a big fan of chocolate, flowers, and jewelry. But there are
other ways to express your love, if you want to save money or resource usage. Some eco-friendly gestures and date ideas include:
-
cooking dinner for your loved one
-
going to the farmer’s market, where you can drop off food scraps for compost (romantic!)
-
meal prepping for the work week
-
going for a romantic, scenic bike ride
-
bring someone sustainably sourced flowers 💐
Building
relationships outside of consumer culture
Our society is very focused on romance and coupling up. But life is about so much more than romantic love. Friendship, family, and our communities sustain our daily lives. Talk to your neighbors. Join Facebook groups for swapping and giving away things like strollers, blenders, and baby clothes - you might help out someone in need, get
the household appliance you’ve been meaning to buy, and even make a new friend.
Some ways to connect with people in your neighborhood and community...
With friends, go for a walk, cook dinner together. You can bring food, or help with chores for a neighbor or friend who is going through a tough time. If you can, shop locally instead of getting an anonymous grocery delivery.
Building community relationships doesn’t just help you save money and decrease waste, but increases the amount of love and friendship in your life.
Bodegas as community hubs
|
Recommendation:
Check out an episode of the food/culture podcast Racist Sandwich, on bodegas and how they act as community hubs in urbanized environments that often feel alienating.
|
|
Listen here!
|
|
So long for now :(
I'm afraid this is my last newsletter - I’ve recently taken on some new responsibilities at work and can’t give the Constellation the attention it deserves for much longer. It’s been such a pleasure writing for you, and I’ll miss writing the Constellation very much! Have a happy Valentine’s Day! Be good to your community, the planet, and just as
importantly, be good to yourself!
Sincerely,
Thalia Bloom
Constellation Writer
|
|
|
|
|
