The 1st of the month is Imbolc (pronounced imulk) marking the beginning of spring in the Celtic calendar. It's halfway between the Winter Solstice and the Spring Equinox.
The word Imbolc may derive from old Irish meaning 'in the belly' referring to the pregnancy of the ewes and the beginning of lambing. The celebration was presided over by the Goddess of youth and fertility -Bride later merging with Bridgid (or Bridget), one of Irelands saints but also known in England and Scotland. There are still churches dedicated to St Bride but none in Suffolk. Brigid died on 1st February 525.
The 2nd is the Christian festival of Candlemas the popular name for the feast of the Purification of Saint Mary the Virgin. Forty days after the birth of a baby, mothers had to go to the temple to be ritually cleansed . Churchgoers brought household candles for blessing to ward off evil in the home, something that was banned after the reformation but happening in many churches again now.
At one time the Christmas season didn't officially end until Candlemas and evergreen decorations were left up until the eve of Candlemas.
Down with the holly, ivy, all
Wherewith ye dressed the Christmas hall;
That so the superstitious find
Not one least branch left behind;
For look, how many leaves there be
Neglected there, maids, trust to me,
So many goblins you shall see.
Robert Herrick, Hesperides, Ceremony upon Candlemas Eve (1648)
The 3rd of the month is the feast day of St Blaise, patron saint of wool-combers. He is said to have saved the life of a young boy who was choking on a fish bone then becoming the saint to ask for protection against throat ailments. The priest blessed two candles, tied them together to form a cross and held them against the throat of people suffering or wanting protection. He was yet another Christian tortured before being beheaded.
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From The Illuminated Book of Days by Kay and Marshall Lee this is an illustration by Eugène Grasset an artist who produced posters etc in France during the second half of C19 |
February has more weather folklore than any other month and even though it's the last month of winter, there could still be lots of bad weather to come.
In the barn on Candlemas Day should be half the straw and half the hay
When gnats dance in February, the husbandman becomes a beggar
A February spring is not worth a pin
Fogs in February mean frosts in May
When gnats dance in February, the husbandman becomes a beggar
A February spring is not worth a pin
Fogs in February mean frosts in May
If Candlemas day be cloudy and black
T'will carry cold winter away on its back;
But if Candlemas Day be fine and clear,
Then half the winter's to come this year.
A warm day in February is a dream of April
All the months of the year curse a fair Februeer
We will find out what weather February will bring in due course. I'm guessing mixed - it usually is, There is often a spell of much colder weather and sometimes snow. Although it doesn't really matter as I won't be venturing very far again, just swimming, exercise group and WI this month after the January break and the first of the three Rural Bygones sales at the auction yard.
Back Tomorrow
Sue
February is usually very nixed weather, I agree. We get all sorts. Today looks like being pleasant which is a good start. Have a lovely day. xx
ReplyDeleteI seem to remember it often snowed in half term week when I was childminding 4 girls plus my 3 children - wet stuff everywhere
DeleteI can remember my SIL having to attend a special service before she was allowed to attend church again after having a child.It would have been in the late 60s. I remember being horrified that she was effectively banned from the church until she attended this service, just for having a baby.
ReplyDeleteGoodness, I had no idea it carried on so late.
DeleteI thought the churching of women was long gone - maybe not.
ReplyDeleteFebruary is often a miserable month but fortunately short.
Not something that ever happened in Baptist and Methodist churches!
DeleteAs a child my mum would always leave some greenery from Christmas up until Candlemas.
ReplyDeleteMy Mum wanted everything out of the way as soon as possible!
DeleteA very interesting post - thank you. I've been pronouncing Imbolc wrong for quite a while!
ReplyDeleteI'm sure it doesn't matter!
DeleteI have never known how to pronounce it , so thanks Sue !
DeleteSiobhan x
I have spent some time this morning picking large amounts of litter and plastic containers from our garden after the windy day yesterday. Why people put out their recycle bins when it’s stormy defeats me! It’s also interesting to see the items that were blown into our garden that should not have been in the bin to start with. A dog Walker kindly picked up lots of stuff from the pavement as he was going up the street. Thanks for the info about the shortest month-days are definitely getting longer. Catriona
ReplyDeleteSunshine here today - first time this week so it should be lighter this evening
DeleteMy friend, a Catholic of Polish ancestry, always leaves her Christmas decorations up until Candlemas.
ReplyDeleteGood to hear it's still a tradition in some places
DeleteGosh an awful lot of Christian saints were tortured and killed in horrible ways weren't they. And there were/are some very strange customs with regard to childbirth.
ReplyDeleteMy Snowdrops are at last emerging from the soil, still just green at the moment but it shows that Spring is on the way.
Nothing much appearing here. I plant things and they vanish!
DeleteFebruary is usually wet and sometimes muddy with frequent freeze and thaw. I see it as the start of muddy season. Today is freezing, cloudy, and no snow/rain. The last snowfall still blankets the ground and trees. 7 AM is sunrise and we are gaining 2 minutes of sunlight daily. It is good to awaken in the light instead of darkness.
ReplyDeleteCold, bright and breezy here today, which is a big improvement on the heavy greyness of yesterday. Everywhere there are crocus, snowdrops and the green leaves of daffodils emerging. The downside is that such weather makes me feel the need to get stuck into some spring cleaning; the good thing is that such urges soon pass, especially if I happen to come across a book... ;)
ReplyDeleteWe will have Groundhogs Day here in the US tomorrow Feb. 2nd. It's supposed to predict when Spring will come but it has never made sense to me!
ReplyDeleteI remember as a kid we all got St Blaise blessing of the throat, with the crossed candles. Considering it was February in the North, it was pretty seasonal.
ReplyDeletePeople want so hard to be able to predict what comes next. Unfortunately, we're not all that good at it. Tomorrow we will look for a furry little rodent to impart his wisdom, and no matter what he has to say, the weather will do what the weather will do, just as it always has!
ReplyDeleteGlad to see January gone though. One month closer to spring!
I was going to ask how my snowdrops were doing. Sorry to hear nothing as yet. I am afraid mine are flowering. Sounds like you need another batch
ReplyDeleteI learned something new. A LOT new, in this post! Alas, till my mold is fixed, my Christmas is still up (though I am taking down the big tree and stuffing it in the shower/tub till it can go downstairs. Don't worry -- I have a second shower!)
ReplyDeleteI was married on Candlemas. It was a beautiful, springlike day sandwiched between two gales. By mid March we were snowed in for three days in the village. The old folk lore came true that year.
ReplyDeleteWe have very mixed weather in February, anything from well above normal temperatures, to well below with lots of snow. Right now I am hoping for a rather calm February.
ReplyDeleteGod bless.
Lovely post. It's been unseasonably warm here in Minnesota. There is no snow on the ground and the lakes and rivers are starting to thaw. It's really quite strange.
ReplyDelete