February is such
a fun month. Even though it is a short month there are so many traditions
steeped in folklore. When we think of February, we think of the color red. At
least I do. Red for hearts and Valentines and everything associated with
February. The actual birthstone for February is amethyst, which is purple!
Folklore dots
the landscape for this month, and of course, I am always tuned in to that. I
love learning more about the ancients and folklore even if we all just go about
our lives. For the next few moments, let’s just take a folkloric trip. Maybe we
will learn some fun facts or just some fun traditions to make our lives more
joyful. I know I will be learning some new things here also!
Let’s head to
Ireland to talk about the old Celtic tradition of Brigid’s Night which also
divides the winter in half, the other half marches towards spring. Brigid was
so much engrained into the Irish that the Catholic Church made her the patron
saint of Ireland. Her job is to reign over mothers and cattle and poets. Yes,
you read that right. She is the patron saint of poets. Thousands of years ago the
Romans took to the streets on St. Brigid night carrying candles and torches to
frighten away the evil spirits. In the year 600 A.D. a festival, known as
Candlemas, evolved to carry on the tradition. Some traditions still linger in
Ireland from those days. One of which I carry out myself, and that is to place
a cloth outside on January 31. This cloth is to be a cherished piece of
clothing…from a child or something special that you wear. For me, I put out my
favorite shawl. I tied it around my evening bench. Okay, I know this is just
for fun, but why not? Nothing changed for me that night, or did it?
Yesterday was
Groundhog Day. I always love this day and try to watch the movie every year!
Years ago…many years ago…it was the badger, not the groundhog. Folks watched
for the badger to emerge from the den of roots and tubers underground. Would
the badger come out or not? Of course, we know the answer to that! If the
badger saw his (or her) shadow, winter would linger on! When the German
immigrants settled here, they brought that tradition with them. It then became
the groundhog. We all watch closely…will he…won’t he? I am laughing because no
matter what happens with the lovely groundhog winter is just half over.
Yes, Groundhog
Day is the cross-quarter day meaning the halfway point between winter and
spring. Wait! We are halfway there already? I mean, I had a lot of projects
planned for this winter, and yet they are still waiting for me. Of course, all
my own activities keep me going so there never is lots of time for those
projects. Why do I even think I could get them done in the winter months?
Hopefully, you have had better luck by reading more books or cleaning closets!
If I am not
cleaning closets, then what am I doing? I guess the usual…teaching classes,
directing theatre, and my favorite February hobby? I love the seed catalogues.
Nothing says February better than the seed catalogues. Hopefully you are as
excited about your gardens as I am. No, I am not wishing winter to be over, but
I am having a great time planning the gardens as I drool over photos of cottage
gardens. I save these photos, especially the ones for cottage gardens.
So, my friends,
I love sharing folklore and traditions with you. It is okay if you did not put
out a scarf for St. Brigid’s Night (maybe next year), and it is okay if you
aren’t cleaning closets or even planning your garden. But what is important
during this beginning of February is that you spend some time outside. The
sunsets are amazing during the winter months. Pokagon offers trails for hiking
and skiing. The air is so much cleaner and crisper in the winter months. And no
matter what the lovely Punxsutawney Phil has to say, there will be six more
weeks of winter whether we like it or not!
Next week we will be talking about starting
seeds and bringing in the pussy willows. Stay tuned! And now a word from Thomas
Chatterton.
“Come, February, lend thy darkest sky,
There teach the winter’s muse with
clouds to soar…”
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