By: Patricia Darrow, Astrologer

With the coming month of February and with the promise of Spring in the blustery winter winds, thoughts of love are surely in the air. Popular new age journals are just filled with "how to" articles on meeting one's soul mate, etc. People can study their fifth house in Astrology, meditate on the Lovers card in the Tarot, and create a happy soul mate journal to attract their soul mate. Nothing, however, will compare until you join forces with the one great love of your life…yourself!

Light up some Rose or Vanilla scented candles in the colors of pink or red. Perhaps you can play some Claude Debussy softly in the background. Now its time to quietly reflect and ask yourself the following questions. Do you believe that only another person can bring you happiness? Can only another person make you whole? It's important to realize that another person cannot fill in the empty voids in our lives. The true "box of chocolates" is to allow yourself and others to be. When we allow ourselves to exist simply as we are, we remove a tremendous amount of pressure. We rid ourselves of useless guilt. We accept ourselves completely. That includes our faults, failures, as well as our talents and abilities. In this way, we can forgive ourselves for any insensitive things we have done. Once we begin this process, we initiate a never ending upward spiral of power that can transform our lives, regenerate us at our very core, and truly make us whole. At this point, additionally, we no longer try to impress others or attack others, or ourselves for that matter. Once we allow ourselves to simply be ourselves -- then its easier to let others be themselves. We can now meet someone on equal footing, and form love relationships that are beneficial rather than destructive.

Learning to love yourself is the greatest love of all. Its also the greatest gift to those you love and those who love you.