Lupercalia, the February 15th purification ritual of ancient Rome has come and gone. The thought.com website says that today we celebrate it with the hearth goddess, Vesta. The month was originally known as Februalia, It is still a celebration for modern Pagans today, and is considered part of their spiritual journey.
As children we were taught that pagan beliefs were non-religious beliefs. Modern Paganism today is a collective term for new religious movements influenced by or claiming to be derived from the various historical pagan beliefs of pre-modern Europe, North Africa and the Near East.
Does February have any other distinctions?
February frequently occurs in lists of the most commonly misspelled words in the English language.
The Americans have trouble with the word February too – last year, a press release from the White House consistently spelt it as Feburary.
Much Ado About Nothing is the only Shakespeare play that mentions February.
February is the only month that can pass with no full moon. This occurred in 2018.
As February closes and Martch starts, we move into the ancient Romans' New Year. March is packed with familiar holidays and events: daylight saving time, celebrations of Pi Day on 3/14, St. Patrick's Day, the Vernal Equinox and the start of Spring occur, and this year, we celebrate Easter.
The budget news that made me smile is the reopening of the Kingston prison farms, closed by the Harper government as a cost-saving measure. There have been protests outside the prison every week for the past 8 years. They vowed to remain there until "the cows come home." There is a long article HERE.
The snow drops, snow crocuses, winter aconites, witch hazel and pussy willows are blooming. These miniature daffodils were in the conservatory at RBG.
No comments:
Post a Comment