February

From FB:

“The name of February comes from the Roman goddess Februa, mother of Mars, and patroness of the passion of love. Her rites are celebrated on February 14, which is still observed as St. Valentine’s Day. In Roman times, young men would draw billets naming their female partners.

The Anglo-Saxon name for this month was Solmonath (“sun month”) noting the gradual return of light after the darkness of midwinter. In the American backwoods tradition, the full moon in February is called the Snow Moon.

Symbolically, it is a time of renewal, cleansing, and rebirth, as represented by the virgin goddess Bridhe (or Bride, or Bridget). In Asatru, she is Birgit, spring-loving consort of Ullr, god of Winter, who transforms from her winter aspect of the aged hag, veiled in black, into the radiant virgin bride – springing from apparent death to life like the changing seasons.”

Februa

From FB:

“‘February comes in like a sturdy country maiden, with a tinge of the red, hard winter apple on her healthy cheek, and as she strives against the wind, wraps her russet-coloured cloak well about her, while with bent head, she keeps throwing back the long hair that blows about her face, and though at times half-blinded by the sleet and snow, still continues her course courageously.’

It is the second month of the year and takes its name from the Latin ‘februa,’ a feast of expiation and purification held at this time in ancient Rome.

It is the shortest month of the year – perhaps mercifully so, in view of its weather and the lack of any distinctive or redeeming features. It does, however, give some tantalizing glimpses of the approach of Spring, with the gradual lengthening of the hours of daylight and the first signs of new growth on plants and trees.”