February Birth Month: Facts, Legends & Lore
February Arrivals
It may not be obvious to many, but February is the BEST month to be born, in my humble opinion. That may or may not have to do with the fact that yours truly arrived in February. Being born in February is in the beginning of a new year and the start of a new astrological year with the zodiac sign of Aquarius or Pisces. February is typically known for being cold and dark, it also has celebrated events such as Valentine’s Day, and Groundhog Day.
February is the 2nd month of the year and also the shortest with just 28 days, except leap year when it’s 29 days long. The name comes from the Latin word “februum” meaning ‘purification’. People born in February are said to have qualities associated with their birthstone and birth flower, such as being loyal, faithful, independent, innovative, compassionate, intuitive, creative, and spiritual, among others.
It’s worth noting that according to Harvard, February babies are taller, stronger, and more intelligent than babies born in other months and who am I to argue with Harvard!?
February Holidays
Notable holidays include:
- February is celebrated as Black History Month in the US
- Groundhog Day, a popular holiday in the US and Canada, is celebrated on February 2nd.
- Presidents’ Day, a federal holiday in the US, is observed on the third Monday of February.
- The Olympic Winter Games are held every four years and usually take place in February.
- February is also National Heart Month, a time dedicated to raising awareness about heart disease, which is the leading cause of death worldwide.
February Folklore
While February might be the shortest month but it’s not short on folklore, myths, and superstitions. Here are some of them:
- Leap Year Proposal: According to folklore, a woman can propose to a man on February 29th in a leap year.
- Groundhog Day: On February 2nd, Groundhog Day is celebrated in the US and Canada. It is believed that if the groundhog sees its shadow on this day, winter will last for six more weeks, and if it does not see its shadow, spring will arrive early.
- Bad Luck Friday the 13th: Friday the 13th in February is considered unlucky by some people who believe that it is a day of bad luck and misfortune.
- Full Moon Madness: The full moon in February is sometimes referred to as the Snow Moon, and it is believed by some to cause increased energy levels and unpredictable behavior, known as “Full Moon Madness”.
- Love Magic: In ancient Rome, February was a time of purification and was dedicated to the goddess Juno, the goddess of love and marriage. It is believed that performing love magic during this month is more powerful and effective.
- Purification: As mentioned earlier, the name February comes from the Latin word “februum” meaning purification. Some people believe that this month is a time to cleanse the body, mind, and spirit and to start fresh.
Note: It is important to remember that these are only superstitions and myths, and there is no scientific evidence to support them.
February Birthstone
Amethyst is the birthstone of February. It is a violet hue of quartz and is considered a semiprecious gemstone. Amethyst is 7 on the Mohs scale and is durable, so it is suitable for all jewelry types. The name comes from the ancient Greek a– (“not”) and methustos (“intoxicated”), a reference to the belief that the stone protected its owner from drunkenness.
Amethyst Lore
There are many myths and legends surrounding amethyst throughout history. Here are a few:
- The ancient Greeks wore amethyst and made drinking vessels decorated with it in the belief that it would prevent intoxication.
- In Greek mythology, the god of wine, Dionysus, was once angered by a mortal who refused his offer of wine. In his fury, he swore to have tigers devour the next mortal who crossed his path. The mortal who was sacrificed to the tigers happened to be a maiden named Amethyst on her way to pay tribute to the goddess Artemis. To protect Amethyst, the goddess Artemis turned her into a statue of pure, white crystal. Dionysus felt remorse for his actions and poured wine over the statue, staining it purple and creating the stone we know as amethyst.
- In Christianity, Saint Valentine, who was martyred for refusing to renounce his faith, wore an amethyst ring engraved with the image of Cupid, the Roman god of love. This association with Saint Valentine helped establish amethyst as a symbol of love and purity.
- In ancient Egypt, amethyst was highly valued and was often used in carvings and jewelry. It was also believed to have healing powers and was used to protect against drunkenness.
- In Middle Ages, European soldiers wore amethyst as a talisman to keep them cool-headed in battle.
In many cultures, amethyst is also believed to have protective powers and to help with spiritual growth and clarity of mind.
February Birth Flower
The birth flower for the month of February is violet. Violets are small, delicate flowers with a sweet fragrance that come in various shades of purple and blue, as well as white, cream, and yellow. Violets are thought to symbolize modesty, faithfulness, everlasting love, innocence, and remembrance. In the Victorian era, a gift of violets was a declaration to always be true. It still serves as a reminder of loyalty, thoughtfulness, and dependability.
February Zodiac
February brings us two unique zodiac signs, Aquarius and Pisces. Their astrological sign would depend on the exact date of their birth: If they were born between February 1st and February 18th, their zodiac sign would be Aquarius, and if they were born between February 19th and February 28th, their zodiac sign would be Pisces.
Aquarius is an air sign and is symbolized by the water bearer. People born under this sign are known for being independent, innovative, and unconventional. They are also considered to be humanitarians and are often drawn to social causes and making the world a better place.
Pisces is a water sign and is symbolized by two fish. People born under this sign are known for being sensitive, compassionate, and intuitive. They are considered to be creative and artistic, and they often have a strong connection to music and the arts. Pisces are also known for being empathetic, understanding, and kind-hearted.
Aquarius and Pisces are both considered highly spiritual signs, with a strong connection to the unseen and heightened intuition.
It’s worth noting that astrology is not considered a science and there is no scientific evidence that the positions of celestial bodies at the time of a person’s birth have any effect on their personality or future. It is fun and interesting though.
