February Festivals

1999
February 1

Kalends of February
St. Bridgid's Day
Imbolc
Candemas Eve

Imbolc is the fire festival betwen Yule and the vernal equinox.  It is also St. Bridgid's of Ireland's Day.

February 2

Candlemas
Groundhog Day

Candlemas--the purification of the Virgin

Groundhog Day--Puxatawny Phil comes out of his hole to predict the weather..

If Candlemas Day be fair and bright,
Winter will have another flight;
If on Candlemas Day be shower and rain,
Winter is gone, and will not come again.

If sun shines bright on Candlemas Day,
The half of winter's not yet away.

February 3

St. Basius

One of 14 Holy Helpers, whose blessing is for sufferers of throat disease.

February 4

King Frost Day

In 1814, a fair was held in London in honor of King frost on the River Thames, which was frozen at the time.  The celebration died out during WWI.

February 5

February 6

February 7

February 8

February 9

Apollo

Feast day of Apollo.  Celebrates the increasing light after the darkness of midwinter.

February 10

February 11

Our Lady

In 1858, the apparition of OUr Lady at Lourdes.  It was the last manifestation at a grotto which for many centuries had been known as a shine of the goddess.

February 12

February 13

Ides of February
Parentalia
St. Matthias
Old Leap Year's Day

Parentalia was the Roman Festival of the Dead, which lasted until February 21.

St. Matthias took the place of Judas as the 12th apostle.  It is his traditional East Anglian feast day.

February 14

Vali
St. Valentine's Day

Festival of love.  Dedicated to Vali, the archer god (son of Odin), and to Juno Februa, goddess of love.  The festival begins after sundown on Feb. 13.  Girls should decorate their pillows with 5 bay leaves, to dream of their lover and husband-to-be.

In England, an arch of brambles is carried to banish unwelcome spirits.  In Scandinavia, it is a tradition of running through layrinths.

February 15

Lupercalia
St. Oswy

Lupercalia is an ancient festival of Roman Paganism.  This festival is given to the rustic god Fanus (the protector of agriculture and flocks, giver of oracles, and aspect of Pan).  It is a day when animals help humans, and celebrates the she-wolf that suckled Romulus and Remus.

February 16

Chinese New Year

To learn more about the Chinese New Year, click here

February 17

Fornacalia

Roman Festival of Bread, Ovens and the Oven Goddess.  It is to help plants on their coming growing season.  Tend plants with extra TLC.

February 18

Festival of Women

Persian Pagan Festival honoring women.  Also the day of Roman rites, honoring Tacita, the silent goddess (binding hostile speech and unfriendly mouths).

February 19

February 20

February 21

Feralia

Roman--the spirits of the dead were believed to hover over their graves, and food was left at the graves for them.  This was the last day of the Roman year for placating ghosts.

February 22

Concordia

Roman festival of Concordia--feast of favor or goodwill.  It is the time for the living to reconcile their defferences.  Eat with family and friends, at which settle disputes.

February 23

Terminalia

Roman--god of boundaries is acknowledged.

February 24

February 25

February 26

February 27

February 28

February 29

Leap Year--2000

In the old tradition, this was a day when women could propose marriage to men.

February

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