In a time when the powerful sought to control even the most personal aspects of life, one privileged man stood in quiet rebellion. During the rule of Roman Emperor Claudius II, marriage was forbidden for young men. The emperor believed that single soldiers made better warriors—unburdened, detached, easier to command. But love does not bow to decrees. A priest named Valentine defied the law, performing secret marriages in the name of love and devotion. When he was discovered, he was imprisoned and ultimately executed for his defiance.
For centuries, St. Valentine has been remembered as a patron of love. But his story is more than romance—it is an act of resistance, a refusal to let power dictate the human heart. And in this, his story resonates deeply with the realities we face today.
Across the US and other authoritarian-leaning countries, women are fighting for rights once thought secure—the right to marry who they choose, the right to make decisions about their bodies, the right to vote and shape their futures. These are battles not unlike Valentine’s own: battles of love against oppression, of personal choice against those who would strip it away. Love, in all its forms, remains a radical, political act.
And so, in the face of great power and injustice, we like Valentine must summon our courage, our truth, and our love. We must hold fast to the belief that love cannot be silenced, that our choices matter, and that we are not alone.
So for this celebration of St. Valentine, we might want more than sweet and pink and candy and bling. Maybe more like a fiery talisman made of elements of courage and truth in addition to love. Amazonite, a Stone of Truth and Courage, has long been a symbol of fearless expression. It is said to calm the soul and strengthen the voice, helping us speak out in the face of adversity. 
Copper, a metal of protection and healing, has been worn for centuries to bolster resilience, conducting energy and amplifying the power of the wearer. And the heart symbol—timeless, unwavering—is the symbol of courage itself, the place where love and strength meet.
Together, these elements form Brave Hearts, a talisman for those who refuse to be silenced. A reminder that love is worth fighting for. That truth deserves to be spoken. That courage, in the face of injustice, is the greatest force of all.
Tune in for my next blog entry to see more about the process of making them, what went right and what went wrong, and why you won't be able to buy them!
But good news! You will be able to buy these new silver pieces about to drop tonight!
Tell me: Do you find strength or energy in personal items, artifacts, symbols, numbers, or natural materials? Let me know in the comments!
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Sources:
History.com: https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/st-valentine-beheaded?utm_source=chatgpt.com
thecrystalcouncil.com: https://thecrystalcouncil.com/crystals/amazonite?srsltid=AfmBOoqpHQjtYJYy3kZBZzHHFgE8CutqLpJMryk_eaAiug3H0LXP0BaA&utm_source=chatgpt.com
thedailymass.com: https://thedailymass.com/st-valentine/
AI scene of Valentine marrying a young disguised couple, created in Canva, requested "in the style of absolutely no one."