Photo by Charlotte

“Four Tao philosophers as cedar waxwings chat on a February berry bush in sun, and I am one.” ~ Robert Frances, Waxwings

The word February is born from the Latin word Februarius, from Latin februare meaning to "purify" or "expiate."

In ancient Rome, Februarius was the "Month of Purification" and great festivities were held to reestablish the empire's focus on righteous living.

To me, this idea of devoting a month to the process of purification is invigorating. The hustle-bustle of the holidays are left behind - February finally sees many of us getting our first breath of fresh air. And, by this time of year the pressure of New Year's resolutions is either incorporated itself into healthy habits or dropped by the wayside (depending upon if we've kept our resolution vows or not).

February is a transitional month, and so February meaning and symbolism will have a transitional feel too. There is change in the air this time of year, and we can see this manifested in certain festivals & holidays in this month.

Where I live, up in the cold regions of North America, the Earth begins to kick just a bit. Everything is still clutched in snow and ice, but February marks the forward momentum of the seasonal procession, and offers a reminder that Spring is not far.

To give you a feel for symbolic February meaning, I'm offering a few symbolic lists for your contemplation.

We can learn more about this transitional month through exploration of symbols sacred to February. Here are a few:

Rowan:
In ancient Celtic thought, trees offer magnificent wisdom and open up new branches of understanding about everything, including phases of the year. The Ogham is a sacred system of tree knowledge used for many purposes, including the passage of time. The Rowan tree twists in February's awareness as a tribute to Brigid, a matriarch, Celtic Goddess and magical maven in Irish mythology. With this association, the Rowan is a symbol of protection, discernment, transition and balance. Rowans are ideal witching sticks (for locating "power-pockets" in the earth, finding water for wells) - this is symbolic of finding our spiritual paths. When invoked in February, the Rowan can help us clarify our vision and seek advantageous routes upon our life's journey.

Ash:

February is shared by both Ash and Rowan in the Celtic lunar calendar. According to the ancient Druidic Ogham, the Ash is also a transitional symbol - making it a fitting icon for February - a month in which Spring is just beginning its ascension. Ash is a sign of creation and connects new life to our awareness where once there may have been a bleak outlook. In-line with many festivals of renewal in February, the Ash is also symbolic of rebirth. In your February meditations, incorporate the expansive Ash for protection, earthy connections and bolstering inspiration/creativity/motivation.

Symbolic Flowers of February

Violet:
Violets will bloom in very cold weather. Sighting their bright petals in the snow is a picture of hope, inspiration and promise. Spring is not far when the Violets come to call. The Violet is a symbol of the ancient city of Athens. Its fragrance is sweet and the Violet has been used for centuries as a key ingredient for perfumes to arouse and stir whirlpools of love. In ancient festivals & ceremony Violets were often woven as a crown to be worn upon the head. This signified high minded intentions as well as protection from mental ruin. Folk medicine prescribes Violets for protection against headaches and hangovers. The color violet, a mix of blue and red (purple) is symbolic of the Crown chakra and also represents the connection between heaven and earth. Incorporate these attributes of the Violet during your contemplative moments in February. Violets are also featured at the Feast of Feralia.

Primrose:

The Primrose is included in February meaning because of its initiatory nature - it's one of the first to herald the forthcoming of spring. Its name, primrose is derived from the Latin primus meaning first. Primrose symbolism includes courage because it takes moxie to blossom in the face of stark cold conditions -it also takes gumption to be the first to come out in the open. Primrose symbolism also includes renewal, love and devotion - all themes germane to this month of February. Primrose is also a sacred symbol of Freya, the ancient Norse goddess of beauty, refinement, fertility, love purity and youthfulness. Ancient Celtic wisdom cites the primrose affiliated with the fairie realms. Seeing a patch of primroses is a landmark or gateway into the fairie lands. Meditate on the primrose and pay homage to this delicate beauty. Doing so will elicit a levity within your heart - promoting elevated states and blissfulness.

Symbolic Festivals of February:

We can learn a lot more about symbolic February meaning when we investigate the rituals, parties, holidays, ceremonies and festivals that take place this time of year. Here are a few:

Imbolc:
This is a fire festival (one of four) devised by ancient Celts to mark the halfway point between the winter solstice and the vernal equinox. This day (Feb 1st) is symbolic of the light half of the year returning. Bone-fires are lit, as are candles as a representation of the sun's light returning to the lands. Consequently, abundant living returns to the clans too (agriculture begins anew, birth, renewal of spring, etc). As mentioned, February is a transitional month. The Celts knew this, and Imbolc is a festival honoring the transition unique to the birth process of the seasons - particularly the transition between winter and spring. Brigid, the exalted Celtic Goddess of many aspects including attributes of fertility, fire, water, healing and smithery. The goddess link to fertility sense as one translation of the word Imbolc is "of the belly" - this festival commemorates the potential of all things...there is potential in the belly; it's only a matter of time when potential is made manifest. This February, consider the potential indwelling your soul and light a candle to coax the birth of your inner light to be made visible in the world.

Fortuna Dies (Day of Fortuna):

February meaning is made more invigorating when we explore ancient Rome for festivals held this month. The Roman goddess Fortuna holds her debut in February (around the 5th, but often these festivals honoring various deities lasted for weeks in old Rome!). She is the goddess of luck, fortune, marriage, fertility and fate. Her symbols and her visage are commonly seen on the Wheel of Fortune of the Tarot which might be a useful meditative card this month. Fortuna Dies is the day devoted to Fortuna, and is a day for practicing divination and "fortune telling." Roman sorceresses, magicians, seers, and oracles were all honored on this day. It was a day for paying respect to the invisible powers that influence our lives. A day for becoming more mindful of the signs and symbols of the environment with a goal to foretell upcoming events

Valentine's Day:

Any discussion about February symbolism without mention of Valentine's day is criminal. Whether you are in the "bah humbug" camp about this day (February 14th) or don your own cupid wings - there is no denying Valentine's day is devoted to love. There are several St. Valentine's associated with the date in history. Several theories surface at the explanation of the holiday, one depicts a rebel St. Valentine administering the sacred vows of marriage to military men and their wives even though Claudius the Second banned marriages (amongst soldiers). Another theory links Valentine's day with Lupercalia, an ancient festival (also Roman) of fertility and purification. Lupercalia is derived from Lupa, the legendary she-wolf who nursed the founders of Rome: Romulus & Remus. The feast of Lupercalia is symbolic of the founding, provision and growth of the empire. Therefore, Lupercalian ceremonies and rituals were performed as a means to galvanize the proliferation & expansion of the empire

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Feast of Feralia:
One of my favorite observances. Around the 21st of February, ancient Romans honored their ancestors, the souls of their deceased (aka: "Manes"). Feralia is the public festival, whereas Parentalia is the private observance of loved ones passed from physical realms. Parentalia was a week-long observance conducted privately among Roman citizens. Behind closed doors, words of honor were spoken in reverence to ancestors, special meals were eaten in observance of transitioned souls and ceremonies were held within the family to pay tribute to loved ones of days gone by. After a week of somber devotion, Feralia sparked a public festival. Feasts were consumed and offerings were left at gravesites to publicly convey love, honor and remembrance of the dead. Violets were strewn everywhere, particularly upon grave stones to make the memories of loved ones immortal. Special artisan breads and wines were also left as offerings to the dearly departed. Salt was also sprinkled around altars and graves as a symbol of preserving (curing) the memories of loved ones. There is legend that states Romans eventually neglected the public feast of Feralia, and ultimately, the result was Rome's decline. Perhaps the symbolic lesson here is to remember the spirits of kin and clan and honor them, otherwise succumb to a life of ambiguity and decrepitude.

Read more at: http://www.whats-your-sign.com/february-meaning-and-symbolism.html

Author: Avia Venefica

Numerology February

February holds the vibrations of number 2 (element water) being the second month of the calendar year and the number six (element air) the vibration of the word February itself. The sound vibration of February is demanding and a little harsh with some complex softer undertones. - http://thriveonnews.com

Runic February

Valaheim - “Halls of Silver”

This Hall is ruled by the god Vali who later was known as the Christian St. Valentine. The main runic signifier for this Hall is Algiz (bordered by Perth & Sowelu), the rune of protection and safeguarding. The gemstone signifier for this Hall is Amethyst. This Hall has the spirit of the New Age for it is written in the myth of Ragnarök that Vali brings in a new era after the other gods are slain. Along with the new world arose the need for human protection that could only come from otherworldly sources. The runestave Algiz always provided energy that was sought after by the ancients because it is a rune of personal protection not only on the physical level but also on the psychic level. It has the ability to repel all evil by encompassing an individual with a spiritual shield. Natives of this Hall are known as visionary seekers who look beyond the trappings of mundane life. They strive for the Divine knowing that they cannot fail.  Operating as a murkstave, Algiz signals paranoia because one has not taken the time to examine the source of what is threatening and the active role one plays in promoting vulnerability due to old behavioral patterns. - http://www.thegalaxyexpress.com/runeology

Misc.

The color of February is PINK. The spiritual meaning is love. Its zodiac signs are Aquarius (until February 18) and Pisces (February 19 onwards). There are 28 days in February because according to a popular legend, July was named after Julius Caesar and hence it had 31 days. Later, when Augustus Caesar took over the Roman Empire, he wanted August, the month named after him, to have 31 days as well. Hence, the two extra days were taken from February, which was then left with 28 days.

“May you always have walls for the winds, a roof for the rain, tea beside the fire, laughter to cheer you, those you love near you, and all your heart might desire.” – Irish Blessing