The Magic of February
Welcome Light
February is the second month of the year and is viewed as a transitional month with a transitional feel, bringing a sense of change in the air and brings the first of 4 fire festivals celebrating Imbolc.
February is known for being the shortest month, with only 28 days (29 in leap years) and is considered the half-way point between the Winter Solstice (Yule) and the spring equinox Ostra). This means that the days are starting to get longer and the weather is gradually getting warmer.
Emotionally, February can be a difficult month for some people as the long, dark days of winter seem to go on and on. Spiritually, February is a time for reflection and renewal as the days start to lengthen and we begin to feel the first subtle vibrations beneath the snow that Mother Earth is preparing to awaken and rebirth once again.
February is the month of Love and brings thoughts of hearts, and birds, and sprigs of greenery. Thoughts of new flowers stirring in preparation of their ascent through the earth. Thoughts of new hope and possibilities and of companionship and communication. Welcome February!
February comes from the Latin word februa, which means “to cleanse.” The month was named after the Roman Februalia, which was a month-long festival of purification and atonement that took place this time of year.
Did you know:
- February is the only month to have a length of fewer than 30 days! Though it’s usually 28 days, February is 29 days long, every four years we see 29 days, such as in the year 2020 and 2024.
- January and February were the last two months to be added to the Roman calendar (c. 713 BC); originally, winter was considered a month-less period.
- Originally, February was made the last month of the calendar year. Eventually (c. 450 BC), February was moved to its place as the second month.
- February 2 is Groundhog Day—the day we find out whether winter will last six more weeks or call it quits early.
- February 14 is always Valentine’s Day. Heads up, lovebirds! Today, the holiday is celebrated with love, flowers, and chocolate, but how did this holiday get its.
- February 15 is also National Flag of Canada Day!
- February’s full Moon is known as the Snow Moon due to the typically heavy snowfall that occurs in February.
www.almanac.com
Correspondences
Moon phases February 2024 – First Quarter February 5, Full Moon February 12, Third Quarter Febuary 20, New Moon February 24, 2025
Zodiac – Aquarius and Pisces
Elements – Water and Air
Color – greens (usually pale), pink, red, blue
Herbs – Clove, Lemon, Orange, Oregano, Sage, Basil, Sandlewood, Rose
Flowers – Daffodil, Larkspur, Primrose, Violet, Rose, Aster, Iris
Stones – Garnet, Amethyst, Onyx, Turqouise, Clear Quartz, Sapphire
Animals – Cow, Dragon, Ground Hog, Lark, Robin. Sheep, Snake, Swan
Oils – Cedar, Peppermint, Basil, Cinnamon
Symbols – Brigid’s Cross, candles, St Brigid
Sabbat – Imoblc
Imbolc February 1-2
Imbolc – “In the Belly of the Mother”, is the marking of the halfway point between Winter Solstice (Yule) and the coming Spring Equinox (Ostra). Imbolc represents the seeds of spring that are beginning to stir in the belly of Mother Earth. The Birthing of a new spring, although still some time away, Imbolc invites us in small ways to reconnect to our ancients. It is hard to embrace this Sabbat living in our concrete world and living in regions like myself where winter resides for what seems like a life time. Our ancients, our ancestors may have lived a simpler life, but it came with many hardships and difficulties, and connecting and remembering why this Sabbat is important will help awaken the quiet sleepiness inside. As the first of four fire festivals, we see the emerging light in the distance flicker with hope and new dreams. It seems fitting to celebrate this festival with candles and a walk in nature. It seems daunting to go for a walk in February in many regions as Mother Earth is still blanketed under snow and the temperatures make it quite uninviting, however, there is something magical to taking time out doors on this day. It is a unique connection to Mother Earth looking for and taking in the subtle signs of the Mother’s Belly stirring. It assists us in opening up our thinking to the coming spring and allowing these signs to ignite the internal fire of creativity, the coming planting season, and hence the fruits of labor at the end of the growing season. Imbolc is as important as all Sabbats and will fill you with new hope and faith that light is coming and the warmth will once again reign.
As February brings us the Sabbat Imbolc it honors the Celtic Goddess Brigid. Brigid, associated with Wales and Scotland, is a goddess of many forms and presents herself as all three aspects Maiden – Mother- Crone of the Earth Goddess. Brigid is the Goddess of Fire and Flame, change, transformation, wisdom, healing, creativity, and Goddess of Childbirth.
Brigid is called the Goddess of Eternal Flame and is charged with its protection. She is also called the Goddess of the Sacred Well, protecting the waters. Those that immerse themselves in celebrating the first spring will often call Imbolc Brigid’s Day.
Brigid’s Cross is a variant of the Christian Cross, often woven from straw or rushes. A Brigid’s Cross is hung in your home for protection and to drive away evil, fire and hunger. It also represents peace and goodwill. On Imbolc Brigid’s Cross is traditional ritual to celebrate the beginning of early spring. These wonderful talismans are hung by the door or in the rafters of the home. They are fun to make and hold so much tradition and potent protection magic.
Recipe
Imbolc Potato Soup
Ingredients
8 – 12 Slices of Bacon
1 Cup of Butter
1 Cup of Flour
8 Cups of Milk
4 Large Baked Potatoes , peeled and cubed
4 Green Onions, chopped
1 1/4 Cup Shredded (grated cheese)
1 Cup Sour Cream
1 Tsp Salt
1 Tsp Ground Black Pepper
Let’s face it, by the time Imbolc rolled around for our Ancestors they didn’t have much left in the pantry in the way of fresh greens. For many of them all they had left was root vegetables, cheese, cured meats, and lots and lots of cold weather. Potato soup is simple, hearty and sticks to the ribs wonderfully. The ideal fast and comforting dish when the wind is howling outside. www.zenzuedo.com
Instructions1. Cook bacon over medium heat until browned. Drain, crumble, and set aside. Save the bacon drippings for use in other recipes.
- In a stock pot or Dutch oven, melt the butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour until smooth. Gradually stir in milk, stirring constantly until thick. Stir in potatoes and onions. Bring to a slow rolling boil, stirring frequently.
- Reduce heat, and simmer for 10 minutes. Mix in bacon, cheese, sour cream, salt, and pepper. Continue cooking, stirring frequently, until cheese is melted.
- Top with more bacon, cheese and green onions.
- Properties:Potato: often carved into poppets for use in sympathetic magic. Potatoes carry strong protective magic, this is enhanced by seasoning them with onions or chives.Bacon: Full of prosperity magic and has the added benefit of intensifying the energy of anything it is combined with. Bacon truly does go with anything.Butter: nurturing and soothing, butter helps to smooth over conflicts and adds sticking power to the energies of the foods it is combined with.Flour: Wheat has always been associated with prosperity magic.Green Onions: Like onions, green onions increase your health, both physical and spiritual. And they help to strengthen you and absorb any negative energies.
