The name of February itself originates from the Roman god Februus, who was the god of purification.
Since the calendar only had 10 months, Martius through December, that meant Ianuarius and Februarius, were considered “dead months.” There were no crops growing at the time, so we had no planting or harvesting to oversee, and the animals weren’t grazing. The light was short and the weather cold. Thus, we celebrated Februalia, a time of cleansing and purification, and quiet reflection for beginning anew in the coming year.
We spent the entire month of Februaris in prayer and meditation, atoning for misdeeds we’d committed throughout the rest of the year. I was not without fault, however, Tyran always had the most to fess up to during this time.
There was also the week of Parentalia, in which we spent time honoring those who came before us. Although being quiet and reflective was difficult to accomplish as a small child, I’ve come to appreciate the value of such things since.
In the middle of the month, came the holiday of Lupercalia, in which we celebrated the founding of the city of Rome, by twins Romulus and Remus, who were suckled by a she-wolf in a cave known as the "Lupercale."
On this day, everyone would gather at the sacred baths, a goat would be sacrificed, and men clad in leather thongs would scamper about slapping people with strips of its hide. Those who got whipped were considered greatly fortunate, and expected to have good luck in the new year. Tyran and I participated many times as young men, and much hilarity ensued from it, though it does seem rather barbaric now, I suppose.
While my mother adopted Roman traditions when she married my father, she never left behind rituals of the Old Ways that were part of her life as a native Britain. In addition to Februalis we also celebrated the sabbat for Imbolc. This holiday marks the midway point between the Winter Solstice and Spring Equinox. It celebrates the first stirrings of life within the earth, and is a beautiful time celebrating the hope and energy related to the feminine aspect of the goddess, of new beginnings, and of fire. We would light candles, freshen our home, eat honey and bread baked with nuts and seeds inside, and give thanks for the many blessings the Goddess provided.
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