“Hooray for February”

February is a most under-appreciated month. It’s bleak, bitter, and host to some of the worst weather of winter. It doesn’t even get its full monthly measure of days. This year is a leap year, so it has 29 days instead of its usual 28. Its name comes from the Latin, februa, which are purifications and expiatory rites. The February calendar is full of them.

But Alison Skelton, a witch/shaman/artist/writer/friend from Victoria, BC, does have some nice things to say about February, and I thought I’d share them with you.

“Hooray for February! I’m sure that is not a common sentiment, particularly for those who are still ensconced in snow and ice. As a Wiccan and a Shamanic practitioner I cannot help but be aware of how our human psyche is so very connected with what is experienced in nature. Nature is our teacher, our healer and our spiritual sustenance. So take heart, for the spirit of Februa is with us, and brings love, increasing light and the promise of rebirth as the quickening of the year is upon us.

“February is the perfect time of year to launch a new enterprise. The promise of renewed life and love are all around us, and our faith in our own creative power is bolstered as new ideas begin to take form. In our northern hemisphere the light is now clearly returning, and in my corner of the world snowdrops are up, and the crocus soon will follow.

“We invite initiatory and expansive energy into our lives at this time of year to be blessed by the returning light, which aids us in the the birthing of new projects and in the choosing of the seeds – both actual and metaphorical – to be planted in the Spring. Now is a great time to reveal the plans that have been incubating during the dark days of winter’s hibernation.

“Taking a single flame out into the darkness to illuminate that which is hidden is wonderful symbolic ritual gesture, and feeds our need for enlightenment of our interior darkness or shadow self. Introspection and meditation, the healing arts, and shadow play are all associated with this special time of year.

“Soon the ides of February will be upon us, once celebrated by the Roman pagans as Lupercalia, which is a festival celebrating Faunus or Pan, both deities associated with passionate love and the wild places within us. At Lupercalia a sort of love lottery would take place. Young men would chose their partners for erotic games by drawing small pieces of paper called “billets” inscribed with the names of young women.

“These billets have eventually become the present day Valentines cards! Although the Christian church tried to wipe out the customs of Lupercalia by substituting short sermons and Saints names on the billets, it was, thankfully, to no avail.

“February is also sacred to Juno Februata, goddess of the “fever” of love. She was replaced by the church with St. Valentine who is derived from Vali a Norse archer god. “Valentine eventually became a patron of lovers despite all efforts to discourage the association and accompanied festivities. In the Middle Ages love potions, spells and charms were dedicated to St. Valentine, since he was in effect a thinly veiled and Christianized version of Eros, Cupid, or Pan.

“Fornicalia is yet another February festival, celebrating bread, ovens, and the associated deities and spirits which help small things to grow. Perhaps this is where we get the phrase “Bun in the oven”?

“Whichever way you slice it, February is a great time for stoking the flames of love and celebrating our passion, as well as initiating new projects and celebrating the spreading of the light of consciousness. Bright blessings to all, and may Juno Februata grace us all with her her divine fever.”

So light those candles, take lots of hot baths, throw a pot-roast in the oven, snuggle up with your sweetie, and have a wonderful February.