A bit about the month of February

It’s an odd word, no?  February. 

“Februa” means cleansing or purification.  It reflects the rituals that are needed to be undertaken before Spring. The Romans and Celts regarded February as the start of Spring.  Chinese Astrology and Feng Shui energy charts are calculated; either on the 4th or 5th of February because the energy of this month, is considered a new time.

It’s a shorter month having only 28 days, in non- leap years, that is.  February hosts the Christian festival of the lights (Candlemas Day), the days before lent starts, ground hog day, Valentine’s day and (in Canada) Family Day. 

Depending where you live, its a time that we are weary of winter and greatly need to anticipate spring, hence Ground Hog Day and Candlemas Day:

Forceful Forsythia Buds in February

If Candlemas brings

   wind and snow,

Then spring will very soon show.

But if it's clear and bright,

Then spring won't come so right.

Then there is Shove Tuesday & Ash Wednesday, depending on the calendar year, which contradicts the chocolates of Valentine’s Day because Ash Wednesday heralds the start of Lent which is a time of fasting and repentance in preparation for the Easter Celebration.  

We have less days to pay bills, still more days of chilly weather, a time when we lube up our pasty white winter bellies for some amour and chocolate.

But my favorite time is the cleverly calculated Family Day long weekend; A statutory holiday tagged onto a school PA day.  Families can hunker down in warmly lit homes or brave the elements and go somewhere wintery or even, dare I say; take off a few extra school days and go somewhere tropical.... if you can afford it. 

February can go surprisingly fast after the cold dragging days of January.

I’ll tell you what is magical about February. Despite the blustery winds and lingering snow,  my forsythia and pussy willows are boldly showing signs of February budding.  Not the big showy blossoms of spring, but the modest hardening of where a bud will be - perfect to take inside to force.

There’s a hope in that act.  Bring it in, warm it up and life springs forth. 

Fearless Pussy Willow Buds

Force.  February Force.  It’s that last push of resilience to get through winter; thorough household cleaning, applying your cures and enhancers for your feng shui energy audit, validating your loved ones with either romance or quality time and doing so, with great anticipation of early spring.  

Happy February!   

This reflection is dedicated to Nikki & Katie; two of the great loves of my life who will spend the better part of February in a Northern Ontario Cabin.

Their family camp is nestled along a “big watered” shoreline property, that silently sits in a of heavily forested remote area, with nothing but the winds, winter wildlife, swaying saplings and the solitude of the heavily drifted snow.  I wish I could be there with them!