Celtic Love

STORY:
A Celtic Love Stone
On new modern twist on a old traditional Celtic display of love

Here is an ancient Celtic tradition that will bring meaning to your Valentine's Day in a unique way

Once a very long time ago, there were two lovers who were forbidden to see each other. From warring villages, the couple had to meet under the cover of night in a forest or by the sea to exchange gifts and words of love.

The two were inseparable, but fate was cruel and one night their secret love was uncovered. Under penalty of death the two were warned never to see each other again. Determined not to be separated from each other, both refused and fled deep into a forest above the sea.

In Celtic times citizens of each village were identified by a colored stone kept at their home with their name or family symbol engraved upon it. This stone was to follow the person wherever they traveled. When they died it would be cast into the sea and the name on the stone would be their identity for eternity.

Bravely, the young lovers rejected their citizen stones and decided to create a new one, a single stone engraved with both names upon it as a symbol of their love.

When the stone was finished, the young lovers, fearing their time was short, climbed to the top of a cliff overlooking the ocean and cast their love stone into the sea. As it fell they spoke this verse.

"May the names inscribed here be forever united in love and hidden so long as this stone hides in the deep waters. May those who seek to separate us find us not, as they can never find thee."

The stone sank to the bottom of the deep black waters and was never seen again. Neither were the lovers.

A MODERN DAY VERSION

Find a stone. It should be flat, smooth and large enough to hold your and your love's first name.

Carve or paint your names upon the stone. Keep it simple. No one is ever going to see this stone again! It's the symbolism that counts.

Find a large body of water (preferably an ocean).Have a picnic for two---only you and the one you love.Make a vow to always love and cherish your mate and to defend him or her in this life.

Make sure there is no one else around, then cast the stone deep into the ocean.According to Celtic lore you will be brought together in the afterlife.