The month of February has a festival of purification and atonement associated with it Latin derivation meaning “to cleanse.”
February is the only month that has fewer days that 30, this month has 28 days. In calendar history it was added to the Roman calendar associated with winter months.
Black History Month, also known as African American History Month, begins on February 1st and lasts throughout the month.
February 2nd is Groundhog Day…presumed to tell us whether or not there will 6 more weeks of winter. Punxsutawney Phil is the King of Shadow or Not. We shall see, believe it or not.
There are many other events/holidays during the month. One of the most commercialized is Valentine’s Day on February 14th. Originally, Valentine’s Day had three associated festivals. The first is to honor Lupa, the wolf, associated with Romulus and Remus, who founded Rome. The second was Faunus, the Roman god of agriculture, the time to sow seeds. The third a pagan festival. Look this one up under “darker origins” to see the sordid activities.
Modern Valentine’s Day was created during the Christianized period honoring St. Valentine, a martyred saint, associated with Lupercalia. This day has much to do with marriage and fertility traditions. Valentine was a priest that secretly married couples, defying orders not to. It prevented them from going into war. Since 1969, the Roman Catholic Church does not venerate St. Valentine. He is considered the “Patron Saint
Other events/holidays include Abraham Lincoln’s birthday, Mardi Gras, Ash Wednesday, Susan B. Anthony’s birthday, Nationa l Flag Day, President’s Day, Thomas Eidson birthday, and the NFL Super Bowl .
Weather-wise, it is the snowiest month according to NOAA. It is also known as “The full Snow Moon”. Chocolate is the nation’s favorite food this month.
So, “Be My Valentine” and enjoy the love music.
