New Year's is the oldest of all holidays; first marked around 4,000 years ago, close to the year 2000 BC. At its inception however, the New Year was marked by the first new moon after the Spring Equinox, a logical time to celebrate, both agriculturally and astronomically. Celebrating New Year's on January 1st however, is completely arbitrary, due to the tampering of the Roman calendar by various emperors.

In 153 BC, the Roman senate declared January 1 to be the beginning of the new year in order to set the calendar right. However, the tampering continued… more

Let's face it, after Valentine's Day, the Holidays can be one of the hardest times of the year to be single. We're inundated with images of couples, families with children, gifts ideas "for your loved one", not to mention thoughts of the dreaded 11:59pm on New Year's Eve! It can be difficult not to give into feelings of loneliness and isolation, especially when we're showing up to staff parties or family functions, sometimes being the only single one in attendance. The important thing however, is not to fall into a self-pity party! Being single is a stage most of us… more

It's only fitting that a holiday as dramatic and emotion-filled as St. Valentine's Day has just as dramatic a history.

To know the story of St. Valentine, we must first introduce you to Claudius the Second. He was the Emperor of Rome in the 3rd Century AD where Valentine lived. Claudius was in need of soldiers to fill his many military campaigns but was finding it increasingly difficult recruiting men. He felt that the men were reluctant to join because they were refusing to leave their wives and family. Claudius' answer was to ban marriage.

St. Valentine was… more