* 1/27 to 2/4: Iroquois Mid-Winter Ceremony.
* 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: Vishnu Puja Day to fast from grains (and meat) and make offerings to Hindu God Vishnu (the Sustainer). Flowers, incense, lamps, and vegetarian food are offered; bells are rung and drums beaten. * 2/3 eve to 2/4 eve: Mawlid al-Nabi--Day commemorating the birth of Muslim Prophet Muhammad (570). He conceived Deity to be a compassionate, genderless unity. * 2/4: Mindfulness Day--Zen Buddhist day for being mindful that you, and all that is, are in the process of transformation.
* 2/7 (4:54 p.m. EST): Full Moon (Cold/Seed Moon). * 2/7 eve to 2/8 eve: Tu B’Shevat--Jewish Festival of Trees, celebrated with tree plantings and orchard blessings. * 2/7 to 2/15: Navajo Sing--Festival in preparation for the coming agricultural season; celebrated with prayer, chanting, dancing, and healing.
* 2/11: First appearance of Our Lady of Lourdes, Lady of healing waters (France 1858).
* 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.
* 2/15: Nehan--Zen Buddhist celebration of the Buddha’s paranirvana (483 BCE). Forms of Buddhism include Hinayana (Theravada), Mahayana (Zen/Japanese and Pure Land/Chinese), and Vajrayana (Tantra/Tibetan).
* 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 (A 3/30 to 3/31): Old Egyptian festival of Neteret Bastet, Cat Goddess who fosters domestic harmony.
* 2/19: Beginning of Pisces (the Fishes). * 2/19: Day President Franklin Roosevelt ordered the internment of loyal Japanese Americans during World War II (1942); day to mourn Asian victims of internment and exclusion (past and present), make peace, and celebrate empowerment of Asian Americans. * 2/19 to 2/20: Mahashivaratri--Hindu fast, night vigil, and feast for God-Goddess Shiva-Shakti (union of Will and Power), who dances to create, destroy, and re-create the Universe. Tantric Hindus believe Shiva is within all men and Shakti within all women.
* 2/21 (5:35 p.m. EST): New Moon. * 2/21: Sojong Day--Tibetan Buddhist day of fasting, confession, and reparation for harm done. * 2/21 to 2/24: Iroquois Maple Ceremony in thanksgiving for the Maple tree and its sugar.
* 2/22: Caristia--Old Roman festival for renewing family ties and patching up quarrels. * 2/22 to 3/8: Losar/Tibetan Buddhist New Year (Year 2139: the Water Dragon) & 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. * 2/22 to 4/5 (OC 2/27 to 4/7): Ash Wednesday (fast day) and Lent--Christian time of purification by self-reflection, peace-making, reparation for harm done, and helping those in need.
* 2/27 eve to 2/28 eve: Feast of Old Greek Goddess Artemis - as creatrix, midwife of birthing creatures, protector of the young, and punisher of child abusers.
* 2/29: Old Slavic Velja Noc/Great Night/New Year’s Eve--Spirits of the dead visit their living relatives, overseen by Veles, Lord of the Dead. Morana and Jarilo are born of Solntse (Goddess of the Sun) and Perun (God of the Sky). Veles steals Jarilo and raises him in Virey, realm of the dead. * 2/29: Leap year day - make it special!
February Action OfferingsHeal and nurture your relationship with your children. Do "Spring" cleaning and give unneeded items to charity. Avoid patronizing TV programs, music, films, books, magazines, products, and companies that are racist. Get involved with a group promoting ethnic equality and multiculturalism. Write to legislators and the media in support of affirmative action programs, which combat racism's effects and serve as reparation for past and present racism.
Excerpted fromTHE MYSTIC'S WHEEL OF THE YEAR 2012A Multifaith Calendar Reflecting Eco-Egalitarian Spirituality© 2011 Marija Miovskiwww.WheeloftheYear.com
