The Magical Month of February
The Magical Month of February
The onset of February brings midwinter holidays in many cultures, with feasting and rites of purification to celebrate the returning light and the promise of spring. Whether you celebrate Imbolc, Saint Brighid's Day, Candlemas, Groundhog Day, or any of the other holidays of February, the themes are similar…the wheel of the year is turning, and the dark, infertile winter is passing, as the light of fertile spring draws near.
Often referred to as "The Shadow Month," February reflects the stark reality of winter and conveys the hope of longer days. In some traditions, this short and often hostile month is known as the "cleansing tide," that time between winter and spring when the face of Nature is washed clean with snow and rain.
February is an ideal time to focus on spiritual activities, personal growth, well-being, purification, cleansing, and preparation for the year ahead.
Imbolc
"The Coming of Bríde" by John Duncan (1917)
Celebrated on February 1st, Imbolc (Imbolg), also called the Feast of Brighid, is a celebration in anticipation of the spring. Imbolc means in milk, a time when pregnant sheep begin to lactate. The days are growing in length, as they have been since Yule.
Brigit (or Brighid) is a Celtic goddess known as The Bright One because of her inspiring beauty and fiery qualities. She is associated with wisdom, poetry, healing, protection, domesticated animals, smith-craft, fire, the hearth, and home. She appears in Irish mythology as a member of the Tuatha Dé Danann.
February 1st is Brigit's festival in Ireland because it's the traditional first day of spring there. The lingering shadows of winter are banished by the sun. Anyone desiring fertility, health, or creativity may invoke Brigit's blessings on this day.
Embracing February
February is an ideal time to focus on spiritual activities, personal growth, well-being, purification, release, cleansing, and preparation for the year ahead. At this time, think of your goals and dreams for the year. It is a time to let go of the old and make room for the new. It is a time for self-care, reflection, nurturing intuition, and feeding the soul. There are many ways to celebrate this time of year, but you may wish to keep it simple by lighting a candle and making a wish!
Imbolc Broth Ritual
This simple and powerful ritual is one of my favorites…
On February 1st, make yourself a nourishing broth. Pour it into a small bowl, cauldron, or your favorite cup. Bless the broth by holding your hand over the top, visualizing golden light filling the liquid. Then, speaking from the heart, you may ask Brigid for your blessing, then say something empowering regarding yourself and your hopes for the future. With both hands, lift the warm broth to your lips and take the magically charged liquid into your body.
Instead of broth, you can use warm milk sweetened with honey and spiced with cinnamon. I like to add a touch of vanilla to mine.
Feel free to replace almond milk. I have even done this ritual with a cup of spicy herbal tea.
Imbolc Symbols, Flowers, & Foods
Imbolc symbols: Brighid’s cross, fire, caldron, heart, fire, and candles.
Colors: White, red, pink, rose, and orange.
Foods: Milk, dairy, onions, garlic, seeds, herbal teas, cake, bread, lamb, milk, cake, spiced and sweet wines.
Herbs: Bay, Heather, first flowers of the year.
Plants: Snowdrops, violets, witch-hazel, and peony.
Incense: Rosemary, Cinnamon, Wisteria, Frankincense
Decorations: Lamps, hearts, candles, twinkle lights, besom, yellow, white, snowdrops, and red flowers.
Activities: Home, bonfires, preparation, cleansing, and creativity.
Stones: Amethyst, fluorite, and staurolite.
February, the Month of Aquarius and Pisces
Aquarius
Aquarius rules over areas associated with the mind, science, innovation, intellectual pursuits, ideas, inspiration, technology, unconventional ideas, freedom, knowledge, divination, friendship, networking, optimism, peace, healing, meditation, spiritual well-being, and humanitarianism.
Pisces
Pisces embraces imagination, intuition, the psychic realms, compassion, sleep, dreams, fantasy, curiosity, sensitivity, mysticism, spiritual awareness, empathy, creativity, compatibility, the prophetic, generosity, love, adaptability,
Numerology
As the second month of the calendar year, February is associated with the number two. The number two represents choices, discernment, balance, duality, balance, cooperation, exchange, partnership, diplomacy, unity, and harmony. During the month of February, we may find ourselves at a crossroads. This is not a time to make rushed decisions. It’s a time for intuitive and intellectual discernment. We can do this by stepping back and looking at things the way they are, not how we want them to be. While this may be an ideal time to cultivate healthy connections, it may also be a time to separate from unhealthy relationships and situations. You may feel the need to make various adjustments in your life. It’s a perfect time to strive for balance and harmony.
Note: The above information was taken from various sources, personal notes, and study. Enjoy and celebrate in a way that is personal to you.
