February holds significance for various pagan festivals across different cultures. One such festival is Imbolc, celebrated on February 2nd. **Imbolc marks the halfway point between the winter solstice and the spring equinox,** representing the gradual return of light and warmth with the arrival of spring. This festival is associated with fertility, purification, and the goddess Brigid, who symbolizes healing, poetry, and craftsmanship. In Celtic tradition, Imbolc is the time for initiating new projects, honoring the hearth, and preparing the land for the upcoming planting season. Another pagan festival that falls in February is Lupercalia, celebrated by ancient Romans on February 15th.
February 12th
A brat a small piece of cloth, often green, as Brigid is often shown with a green mantle may be hung outside overnight in the hope that Brigid will bless it. First Monday after 3 rd February Feasten Day Hurling the Silver Ball St Ives, Cornwall The game starts when the ball is thrown from the wall of the parish church of St Ia.
Another pagan festival that falls in February is Lupercalia, celebrated by ancient Romans on February 15th. **Lupercalia is a fertility festival dedicated to Lupercus, the Roman god of shepherds**. The festival involved the sacrifice of goats and a subsequent purification ritual where young men, called Luperci, would run through the city naked, striking bystanders with pieces of goat hide.
Ancient Calendar & Pagan Holidays for February 11th, 12th, 13th, 14th
On this day, in the year 1858, the haunting image of Our Lady at Lourdes suddenly appeared in a grotto keeping the shrine of the Goddess for many, many centuries. After the apparition and even before, the spring there has been a place people have gathered to gain healing and or special prayer.
In many ancient cultures, today was actually the Lunar New Year or New Year’s day.
In Abydos Egypt, today will be the Feast of Osiris. (Urban Paganism)
February 12th
Today marks the holy day of Artemis, also known as Diana. (Urban Paganism)
In some Ancient cultures, today was actually their sacred Imbolc.
Today symbolizes the good devouring the darkness as the Runic-Half Month of Sigel begins.
February 13th
For the next eight days, Parentalia—a huge festival in Rome, will be running. This Festival is for the dead as the spirits of our parents are honored throughout the week. The Romans connected this festival with the Manes—who were dead, and immortal, but not gods. Now in the spirit of Urban Paganism—in many Roman cities there existed a vast, huge pit covered up by one huge stone. Inside this pit, was the path into the Underworld—the path of the Manes.
Old Leap Years Day—in many ancient calendars.
Today in Egypt, there is another feast of Osiris, only this time the feast will be held in Busiris.
Welsh Culture gives us a festival called Gwyl o Don a Cerunnos—held for the Goddess mother Don and the honored God of the forest Cerunnos. The Festival will begin at sundown and will not end until sundown on February 21.
February 14th
HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY.
In Rome, today is sacred to Juno Februa—their Goddess of Looooooooooooooove! Before dreaming, a girl should decorate her pillow with five bay leafs—this will let her dream of her lover. Others should wear a yellow crocus which is believed to attract their true love.
The Norse will be celebrating Valisblot –a feast for Vali—during which the light triumphs over darkness. Vali was the son of Odin and Rind.
This act was believed to promote fertility and cleanse the city of evil spirits. Lupercalia was later Christianized into Valentine's Day, although the connection is somewhat tenuous. Additionally, some followers of the Asatru faith celebrate the festival of Sigrblot in mid-February. **Sigrblot is a time to honor victory and success, both in battle and in life,** and is associated with the Norse god Odin, who is seen as the patron of warriors. This festival involves feasting, making offerings to the gods, and reciting poems or tales about heroic deeds. While these pagan festivals have ancient origins, they continue to be celebrated by modern practitioners of pagan and earth-based spiritual traditions. The various festivals in February provide an opportunity for people to connect with nature, honor their ancestral heritage, and celebrate the cycle of life as manifested in the changing seasons..
Reviews for "Dancing with the Elements: Pagan Festivals of February"
1. Mark - 2/5 stars - I attended the Pagan festival in February with high hopes but was left disappointed. The event lacked organization, with vendors setting up haphazardly and overlapping workshops that made it difficult to choose which ones to attend. The performances were lackluster, and the overall atmosphere felt forced. I expected a more authentic and immersive experience, but instead, it felt like a commercialized event with little focus on the spiritual aspects of Paganism.
2. Emma - 1/5 stars - I was excited to attend the Pagan festival in February, but it was a complete letdown. The event was poorly planned, with limited information available beforehand. The workshops advertised were either canceled or poorly executed, leaving attendees feeling bored and unfulfilled. The organization of the festival itself was chaotic, and it was challenging to navigate through the crowds. Overall, it was a disorganized and underwhelming experience that did not live up to its promises.
3. Alex - 2/5 stars - The Pagan festival in February had potential, but it fell short in several aspects. The quality of the workshops and presentations was subpar, with little depth or educational value. Additionally, the event lacked diversity and inclusivity, which is essential in a community that prides itself on acceptance. The lack of organization and communication further added to the disappointment. I left feeling like I could have gained more knowledge and connection to Paganism by exploring online resources rather than attending the festival. It was an overall underwhelming experience.