Section B · Page 2
The University Daily Kansan
Thursday, February 10, 2000
HOROSCOPES
Today's Birthday. You may know a lot, but you don't know it all until you can listen even better than you speak. By February, you should have your agenda worked out. Be quiet and move quickly in March. Show off what you're learning in April and ponder a new development in May. Your enemy is your best friend in August, and your plans come to fruition around December. Hide out and count your blessings in January.
You should be in a good mood. A person you're attracted to might be a little standoffish, though. Go ahead and prove you're the best.
Taurus: Today is a 7.
Yaurus: Today is a 7.
You may be off to a slow start this morning. You could have complications of some which are due to causes beyond your control. Finish up as much old stuff as possible.
You're forceful, dynamic, self-confident and enthusiastic. You might even be right. Others think you are, but don't believe them. You're the one who's more likely to know for sure.
You're generally doing well, but you could encounter a snag. One older person in particular can take offense if you miss something he or she thinks is important. Offer your apologies freely.
Cancer: Today is a 6.
Leo: Today is an 8.
There may be a conflict between what you want to do and what others want you to do. If the other people are signing your paycheck, better do what they want. The people you love will understand. Tomorrow's much better for romance and family matters, anyway.
Gemini: Today is a 7
Virao: Today is a 6.
You and a partner are after the same objective. You have different ways of approaching the problem. Stay in communication and be flexible.
Scorpio: Today is a 7.
If you and another person are locking horns, get a friend to intervene. You're good at helping other people sort out their issues. You may not be able to mediate if you're personally involved.
Libra: Today is a 5.
Even though you're facing some big jobs, you've got a lot going for you. Tempers are short. You're good at staying calm even under a great deal of pressure.
Capricorn: Today is a 7.
Your focus is on home and family,
buying and selling, wheeling and dea-
ling. Money is coming in and going out
Pay attention so you end up with a
profit. You should be able to make
some good deals.
Sagittarius: Today is a 7 There's plenty of love in your life, and that makes up for whatever you lack. Keep your sense of humor, and even a whiney roommate won't mess up your good mood.
Aquarius: Today is a 7.
If you could study all day long, you'd be in heaven. The day would go by in about five minutes. That's what it would seem like, anyway. You could make several awesome discoveries, too.
Pisces; Today is a 7.
You're not sure of the outcome, but you're creative. Don't leave it up to chance. Get yourself into the proper environment, and the proper attitude, to have a great idea. You can make it happen, and you should.
Holiday's commercialization evolves from Christian origins
Note: Horoscopes have no basis in scientific fact and should be read for entertainment purposes only.
By Michael Sudhalter
Kansan correspondent
For many Americans, Valentine's Day is a day of love or heartache, depending upon an individual's current love situation. However, many people forget to look past the crafty cards and the mouth-watering boxes of chocolates. Beyond these modern Valentine's Day traditions, the holiday has significant historical and religious roots, said Paul Mirecki, professor of religious studies.
Valentine's Day became the replacement for a pagan festival celebrated by the Romans after Valentine, a Roman priest, was martyrred in 269 A.D.
Mirecki said the early Christians celebrated the date of his death in mid-February. The Christians eliminated the pagan festival, yet carried on some of its traditions.
History of Valentine's Day
"The pagan traditions were kept because of their popularity with the masses," Mirecki said.
While a small minority of Catholics still celebrate the religious significance of Valentine's Day, it has become a "Hallmark Holiday" in our modern culture. Mirecki said that Valentine's Day was primarily a Western and Christian phenomenon that had been marketed widely in our country. As with other holidays of Christian origin, legends and unrelated symbols often become associated with the holiday throughout time.
"Cupid is a stylistic, artistic addition to the idea of love on
Valentine, a Roman priest, was martyred. Christians celebrate his death in mid-February with a festival, which was eliminated in early Christian history. However, observance of the day continued.
During the Civil War, popularity of Valentine's Day in the United States exploded as couples were separated.
Card companies were founded in cities, including Boston and Kansas City. This is regarded as the beginning of the holiday's commercialization.
Valentine's Day," Mirecki said
English and German paper for poems was imported to elite Americans.
Barry Shank, professor of American studies, said that Valentine's Day was not popular until the mid-19th century in the United States. The holiday has had varying degrees of success.
After the Civil War, card companies started in cities from Boston to Kansas City. This led to the beginning of the commercialization of Valentine's Day in the United
States.
"Fancy English and German paper made for poems including 'Valentine Writer Books' were imported to an elite group of Americans prior to the 1840s," Shank said. "The popularity of Valentine's Day bursted during the Civil War while women were separated from their loved ones."
Louis Prong, Boston businessman, and the Gibson Co. of Cincinnati began selling comic cards that appealed to consumers.
There also were a variety of cards that were made specifically for Valentine's Day. For example, the Esther Howland Co. made fancy Valentine's Day cards for wealthy consumers, while TW Strong Co. made comical cards that insulted the social class of many individuals.
A revival of card companies including PF Volland of Chicago, Rust Craft of Kansas City, and later American Greetings of Cleveland and Hall Bros. of Kansas City.
"Comic Valentine's remained the most popular among consumers until 1900," Shank said.
Although the popularity of Valentine's Day declined, it had a resurgence a few years later. in the 1870s, Louis Prong, a Boston businessman, and the Gibson Co. of Cincinnati, began to sell Valentine's Day cards that appealed to consumers.
Kristi Elliott / KANSAN
In 1910, there was a revival of card
companies, including PF Volland of Chicago, Rust Craft of Kansas City and later on, American Greetings of Cleveland and the Hall Bros. of Kansas City.
The Spencer Museum of Art had turn-of-the-century Valentine's Day cards on display a few years ago, said Sally Hayden, the museum's managing editor for the museum's publications.
"The Valentine's were part of the personal art collection of Sallie Casey Thayer, the wife of a Kansas businessman who donated the collection in the 1920s," Hayden said.
Hayden said that the Valentine's Day cards would not be on display this year because of exhibition schedules.
Gays find holiday options
Students ignore stereotypes participate in celebrations to honor their relationships
By Leah Shaffer
Kansan correspondent
Traditions die hard. The typical images associated with Valentine's Day are hearts, a guy, a girl, and Cupid. However, in today's society, people are gradually becoming aware of a change in the traditional definitions of love.
Sometimes, instead of a guy and a girl, there is a guy and a guy, or a girl and a girl. Gays and lesbians must not only deal with complications of romantic relationships, but, they also must be ready for the judgment of society and the rejection of peers.
"I think the homosexual community has come a long ways in the last few decades, but, there are still obstacles to overcome," said David Utter, Minneapolis, Kan. freshman. "There will always be a certain stereotype and prejudice against us. So, I think that we have to be more tolerant and accepting of other individuals' attitudes so long as they can accept ours."
Last year's Valentine's Day had been a rough one for Utter who had just revealed his sexuality a few months before. The person he happened to be dating at the time was still in the closet, and the relationship had to be in secret.
"It was hard not being able to express my feelings for him on Valentine's Day in the same manner that everyone else was. I'm anticipating this year, though, because Lawrence is a community that is more accepting than the small town I grew up in; so, I hope to be able to partake in the Valentine rituals more openly," he said.
Utter's story would not be an unusual one. Although society has shown evidence of tolerating the presence of gays, change has been much slower when it comes to actually acknowledging the validity of gay or lesbian love.
that took place in Vermont last December. Vermont state supreme court ruled that homosexual couples would be allowed to have all of the benefits heterosexual couples receive in marriage. However, the court would not grant them the right to get marriage licenses. Utter's current partner, Aaron Smith, sophomore from Gardner, was one of many in the gay and lesbian community at large that was dissatisfied with the compromise.
"Anyone who says that gay marriages would just desecrate the union of marriage between heterosexual needs to study the divorce rate in this country," said Smith. "All of those heterosexual couple were allowed to get married, and look where their marriages ended. I would venture to guess that if anything is making a mockery of marriage, it isn't."
An example of this is seen in the recent events
Progress is slow, but, hopes are high among the local gay and lesbian community.
"Lawrence is a very accepting town," said Smith. "I have been out with dates and friends in many different environments within Lawrence, and I have never stumbled across any problems."
"Definitely the coolest thing I can think of to do this Valentine's Day is to go to the DCAP benefit dance at Liberty Hall," said Liza Rasor, Lawrence graduate student.
The Douglas County Aids Project sponsors four such benefits every year. The one held at Liberty Hall on the 12th is considered the largest.
"For one night, its like a Utopia, because nobody makes a big fuss about who's dancing with who." said Rasor.
No matter the differences, most people on Valentine's Day simply will try to spend the holiday with people they care about, whether gay or straight. Of course, let's not forget the miserably single.
"I don't think Valentine's Day is any harder for gays than it is for heterosexuals," said Smith. Let's face it, it sucks to be along on Valentine's Day! Sincerely, who likes to watch all the happy-sappy couples exchanging flowers and candy while you sit at home buried in junk food and cry-your-eyes-out romance movies?"
Dateless find ways to ease lonliness enjoy celebration
By Amy Brady
Kansan correspondent
With Valentine's Day just around the corner, those lucky enough to be in a relationship have hearts beating with romantic anticipation for the sweet nothings sure to be whispered in their ears.
But for individuals lacking a hand to hold, Valentine's Day is less of a celebration of amour than it is a reminder of rejection and heartache.
"It's rough," said Dan Stanley, Springfield, Va. senior, who will be spending Valentine's Day alone for the first time in three years. "I'm going to work, so hopefully, it'll feel like any other day."
Working is one way to help forget the loneliness singles may feel but some have found that redefining the meaning of the holiday can be a lot more fun and rewarding.
In elementary school, Valentine's Day was something to look forward to. Rather than worrying about having a date, some students recalled time spent playing candy-heart bingo and decorating cardboard boxes guaranteed to be filled with valentines from fellow classmates.
Everyone was encouraged to make valentines for parents and grandparents. Later that evening, sticky, marker-stained fingers exchanged the handmade "I love you's" with sweet treats from relatives who wanted to say the same thing.
Some students agreed that the meaning of Valentine's Day should return to these innocent roots and be expanded to include universal love, not just romance.
"I like to spend Valentine's Day with a platonic friend," said Sarah Homan, Overland Park, freshman. "That's the great thing about platonic love. It's natural, not hindered by commitment or responsibility."
She said the dateless should celebrate different kinds of love by sending a card to a friend or calling someone special.
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