* 1/31 eve to 2/2 eve: Imbolc/St. Brigid’s Day--Old Celtic/Irish feast of Goddess Brigid; merged with the Christian feast of St. Brigid. Fires were lit to welcome Her as She traveled about blessing fields, animals, and people.
* 1/31 eve to 2/4 eve: Mid-Winter/Groundhog’s Day/Candlemas--Festival marking the transformation from death to life - the beginning of the agricultural year, awakening of hibernating animals, and return of migrating birds and fish. Observed with a candlelight procession to bless fields and seeds, recognition of newborns, and contemplation of life.
* 2/1 to 2/14: Old Greek festival of God Dionysos, in which vines were pruned and sprinkled with wine, accompanied by ritual singing and dancing.
* 2/1 to 2/29: February dedicated to Old Roman God-Goddess Februus-Februa - purifier and protector of the home. Homes were cleaned and blessed, offerings of reparation were given, and peace was made.
* 2/3 to 2/9 (OC 2/29 to 3/6): Carnival/Meat Fare--Christian time of feasting, dancing, and revelry.
* 2/6: Mindfulness Day--Zen Buddhist day for being mindful that you, and all that is, are in the process of transformation.
[caption id="attachment_8001" align="alignleft" width="222"]
Image: Emily Balivet[/caption]
* 2/7 eve to 2/10 eve: Old European Lunar New Year--Celebration of the Triple Goddess (Goddess of the Moon and the Seasons) being transformed from the Crone into the Virgin; celebrated with ritual bathing of divine images.
* 2/8 (9:39 a.m. EST): New Moon.
* 2/8 to 2/11: Hsih Nien/Suhl/Tet--Chinese and East Asian Lunar New Year (Year 4714: the Monkey).
* 2/9 to 2/22: Losar/Tibetan Buddhist New Year (Year 2143: the Fire Monkey) & Monlam Chenmo/Great Prayer Festival--Commemorates miracles performed by the Buddha. Rituals, dances, and sculptures are offered to drive out evil spirits and to protect and benefit all sentient beings.
* 2/10 to 3/26 (OC 3/14 to 4/30): Ash Wednesday (Pure Monday) and Lent--Christian time of purification by self-reflection, peace-making, reparation for harm done, and helping those in need. Lenten Truce (through Easter).
* 2/11: First appearance of Our Lady of Lourdes, Lady of healing waters (France 1858).
* 2/12 to 2/20: Iroquois Mid-Winter Ceremony--for continuation of all life-sustaining things. Iroquois believe Awenhai/Sky Woman created the Sun, Moon, and Stars from Her body.
* 2/13: Sarasvati Puja--Hindu festival honoring Goddess Sarasvati, who represents wisdom, intellect, and knowledge, as well as inspiration, arts, and music. Hindus believe all Gods and Goddesses are aspects of the limitless, attributeless, immanent, and transcendent Brahman.
* 2/13 to 2/15: Lupercalia/St. Valentine’s Day--Old Roman festival of God-Goddess Faunus-Fauna; merged with the Christian feast of St. Valentine - celebrating love of all kinds.
* 2/14: Tell your true love how much you love him/her!
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Artemis by Joanna Barnum[/caption]
* 2/14 eve to 2/15 eve: Feast of Old Greek Goddess Artemis - as creatrix, midwife of birthing creatures, protector of the young, and punisher of child abusers.
* 2/17: Toshigoi--Shinto rite honoring the Kami and offering prayers for a bountiful rice harvest. Shinto try to live in harmony with the cosmic forces of the Kami.
* 2/18: Birthday of Ramakrishna Paramahansa (1836), Hindu mystic who fervently loved Great Goddess Maha Devi - Mother of God, Mother of Nature, Elemental Matter, and Cosmic Power. He recognized Her immanence in all, and knew Her to be a manifestation of the one universal Deity.
* 2/18 to 2/19: Old Egyptian festival of Neteret Bastet, Cat Goddess who protects the home and fosters domestic harmony.
* 2/19: Beginning of Pisces (the Fishes).
* 2/19 eve to 2/22 eve: Anthesteria--Old Greek festival honoring Dionysos as Plouton, God of the Dead, and welcoming the visiting dead from Elysium.
* 2/22 (1:20 p.m. EST): Full Moon (Leaf/Seedling Moon).
* 2/22: Caristia--Old Roman festival for renewing family ties and patching up quarrels.
* 2/22 to 3/1: Navajo Sing--Festival in which fields are blessed in preparation for planting. Navajos believe Estsanatlehi/Changing Woman wields the power to constantly create and change the world.
* 2/28 eve to 3/6 eve: Lesser Eleusinian Mysteries--Old Greek festival celebrating the marriage of Goddess Kore and God Dionysos, following their return from Elysium.
* 2/29: Old Slavic Velja Noc--Spirits of the dead visit their living relatives, overseen by Veles, Lord of the Dead. Morana and Jarilo are born. Veles steals Jarilo and raises him in Virey, realm of the dead.
* 2/29: Leap year day - make it special!
Excerpted fromTHE MYSTIC'S WHEEL OF THE YEAR 2016A Multifaith Calendar Reflecting Eco-Egalitarian Spirituality© 2015 Marija Miovskiwww.WheeloftheYear.com
