Valentine's Day will soon be here. It is a day to make time for love and family. It is also a time to reconnect with the love of self, which is the fountain that all other love flows from. Valentine's Day will bring attention, gifts, chocolates and flowers, so before then let's take time to be with ourselves and our spirit. Let's take the time to honor the message of love and what it has to teach us. How do these teachings work in our lives? Who do we love? How do we love? What do we love? Do we honor ourselves?

    The love between people has been compared to fire. We know it burns hot or cold. It can be blazing or simmering. What is often not mentioned is where the kindling for this fire comes from. Kindling is how the fire starts and unless there is enough of it, the fire will not survive. Cultivate your kindling because from there you can start and maintain any fire. Our kindling comes from within. Our kindling is the love we have for ourselves. No fire will ever start without kindling. No love will grow without love of self.

     Love is the energetic manifestation of the love that spirit has for us and the love that spirit moves through us. Speaking in parables, Jesus asked us to look within and discover our sacred spirit for ourselves. He did not want us to take his word for it but rather to experience it. He asked us, "Who is my mother?" and "Who is my sister?" By saying this he showed us that love does not end with immediate family or friends but rather radiates to encompass all.

     So take time for yourself, take time for spirit, and look in because soon we will all surely be looking outwards as we celebrate the holiday.

     Today also brings us a new moon. It is a time to embrace and create our potential and future. One way to do this is to perform a shamanic fire ceremony. Light a candle and pray or meditate over it. When you feel the flame has been sanctified pick up a small piece of paper or toothpick. Think of the things you want to bring into your life. When you are ready blow all these things into the paper or toothpick. Make sure you have a bowl close by. Now carefully burn the toothpick or paper over the candle flame and then put the remnants in the bowl. This will help energetically cleanse your body and prepare you to consciously create the life you want.

    The love between people has been compared to fire. We know it burns hot or cold. It can be blazing or simmering. What is often not mentioned is where the kindling for this fire comes from. Kindling is how the fire starts and unless there is enough of it, the fire will not survive. Cultivate your kindling because from there you can start and maintain any fire. Our kindling comes from within. Our kindling is the love we have for ourselves. No fire will ever start without kindling. No love will grow without love of self.

     Love is the energetic manifestation of the love that spirit has for us and the love that spirit moves through us. Speaking in parables, Jesus asked us to look within and discover our sacred spirit for ourselves. He did not want us to take his word for it but rather to experience it. He asked us, "Who is my mother?" and "Who is my sister?" By saying this he showed us that love does not end with immediate family or friends but rather radiates to encompass all.

     So take time for yourself, take time for spirit, and look in because soon we will all surely be looking outwards as we celebrate the holiday.

     Today also brings us a new moon. It is a time to embrace and create our potential and future. One way to do this is to perform a shamanic fire ceremony. Light a candle and pray or meditate over it. When you feel the flame has been sanctified pick up a small piece of paper or toothpick. Think of the things you want to bring into your life. When you are ready blow all these things into the paper or toothpick. Make sure you have a bowl close by. Now carefully burn the toothpick or paper over the candle flame and then put the remnants in the bowl. This will help energetically cleanse your body and prepare you to consciously create the life you want.

     This Valentine's Day remember that love begins with you. Love yourself and then love other's. Happy Valentine's Day.