What does February Mean?
February Birthstone, Zodiac Sign, Flower, Number & More!

Who says coming in 2nd was a bit of a let-down? True, after the fuss and fanfare of New Year’s February seems tranquil by comparison. Most people welcome that moment to breath and regroup from the early Winter Holiday rush.

Thanks to the Roman custom of celebrating February as a month of purification, the metaphysical symbolism of cleansing, refining and purging ourselves from negativity remains. This makes February an excellent time frame for balancing your Chakras and getting your auric field back into order.

Additionally you might consider rituals and spells for health. If you chose this approach remember to match your spiritual efforts with physical ones. All those basics that mom taught really do work. Eat right, get plenty of rest, stay active mentally and physically – celebrate the energy from your working in the way you live daily life.

The 2nd month of the year is actually the third month of winter. It is the shortest month, having only 28 days and 29 days every leap year (four years apart). Because of this shortened span, February is the only month that can pass without the appearance of a full moon. The last moonless February was in 1999.

In Rome both January and February were kind of like after thoughts. They were the last to be added to the calendar because Romans saw winter as “monthless”. February officially became the 2nd month in 450 BCE. At this juncture February might end on the 23rd, 24th or the 27th to balance out the seasonal progression. Upon the institution of the Julian calendar, February gained 28 permanent days with one extra every four years (Leap Year).

There were some very descriptive names for February around the world. In Old English it was the mud month. In the Finnish language February is pearl month, probably alluding to the visual impact of ice and snow on everything. And Macedonians called it the month of cutting (i.e. harvesting wood).

There are a couple of interesting Myths about February. Romans tell us that Diana, the Goddess of hunting, came out on February 12th. She would cross the land offering protection far and wide. People with birthdays occurring on this date will be pleasant and sociable.

Then, of course, there is Leap Year Day. Some people feel that those born this day have luck on their side. The Greeks believed that couples should not marry or divorce any time during Leap Year as it meant trouble for the couple, or a life of loneliness for the divorcee. Finally Irish tradition says that a woman can ask a man to marry her (and have better luck in getting a yes).

February Birth Stone: Amethyst

Amethyst is one of the sacred stones with a vast number of applications magically. Throughout Egypt people wore it, inspiring courage and safety from malevolent spells. Greco-Roman culture saw it as a healing stone. Additionally stories of Dionysus links this God to Amethyst, giving it the power to protect a person from drunkenness and poison. This is why some ancient cups were fashioned out of amethyst or included this stone as a decorative addition.

Those who have trouble sleeping can place Amethyst under their pillow. Here it relieves stress, anxiety and depression. This also inspires happy dreams. Using a flat piece of Amethyst as a rub on your forehead helps alleviate headaches too.

Amethyst appeared in many healer’s kits as a focus for curative energies. It was favored for blood problems and colds or other breathing difficulties. The stone also allays fears on the part of the patient.

February Zodiac Signs: Aquarius & Pisces

We start the month off in Aquarius considered an Air sign that is governed by both Uranus and Saturn.

The Aquarian is very free-spirited and forward-looking, however they can also come across as distant emotionally. When people born under this sign get together with others they’re active listeners, smart and helpful.

As shy and quiet as Aquarians may be, never break a promise to them. They will never forgive it or forget it. The Water Bearer is a serious thinker who uses their knowledge to adapt, particularly when opportunity strikes. The Aquarius soul is that of a visionary, which is why they dislike constraint.

On February 19th we move into the sign of Pisces, the fish. Pisces is a Water element and governed by both Neptune and Jupiter. Pisces is the dreamer of the zodiac. They always dabble in the arts, particularly music. Fast to trust, people who see the kind-hearted nature of this easily hurt Pisces.

People take to the Fish swimmingly! Their helpful nature is founded on intuitive abilities that are typically very accurate. This is a sign filled with wisdom, tolerance and the power to forgive.

February Holidays

The entire month of February is dedicated to various themes. It is Black History Month and the American Heart Month for starters. Then there are holidays whose observance date changes according to timing (such as the First Friday, or Third Monday). These include National Wear Red day, World Interfaith Harmony Week, Autism day (UK), World Marriage Day, Stand up to Bullying Day and one of our favorites – Open that Bottle Night.

Moving on to celebrations with specific dates, we start with Imbolc (2/1) a holiday celebrated by many Pagans and Wiccans. Groundhog day (2/2), Ronald Regan Day (2/6), National Pizza Day (2/9 – yum!), Inventers Day (2/11), and World Radio Day (2/13), and Valentine’s Day (2/14) all crown the first half of February. Moving into the second part of the month we have Susan B. Anthony Day (2/15), World Day of Social Justice (2/20), National Margarita Day (2/22), National Wear Red Day in the UK (2/26), International Polar Bear Day (2/27) and Bachelor’s Day in the UK (2/29).

Let’s take a closer look at two events: Imbolc and Valentine’s Day. Imbolc is a Fire festival marking the half way point in the year – the transition from the longest night to the lengthening of days. Candles and bon fires appear around the lands where people can gather often honoring Brigid (among the Celts) as the goddess of fertility and health. Imbolc is all about potentials and the start of manifesting them.

Valentine’s Day is the undisputed day for love in all its forms. Cupid flies between earth and the heavens helping way-ward couples find their footing. There is a good chance that Valentine’s Day has ties to a far more ancient (and rowdy) Roman festival, Lupercalia that celebrated fertility.

February Flower: Violet

The symbolism of the fair Violet changes with variance in color. The blue violet represents devotion, white ones purity and yellow ones represent good deeds and intentions. The Victorian Language of Flowers used violets to show love or gratitude.

The Greeks used Violet as an emblem of luck and promotion, particularly when seen in your dreams. In other settings, notably religious art, Violets convey the idea of spiritual insight balanced with modesty. The idea of Violets being the image of decorum continued throughout the entire Renaissance.

February Month Number: 2

The number 2 in Numerology has ties with the sacred Feminine. This is the energy of a peace keeper, filled with forgiveness and tact. Two’s language of love is service. To that end there is great humility in this number’s vibrations.

In modern terms, Two is the strong woman behind a man, in the backdrop aiding success. February’s energy is never presumptuous in its lessons but it is present for good advice and a little shrewdness.

Like the number 2, February energy can feel sensual and encouraging. Perhaps this is part of the allure of Valentine’s Day. Two also improves our understanding of human nature and finding the best means to a positive end patiently. Even though February is short, its lessons cannot be rushed.

Two has music in its soul. With this in mind, February is a good month to put on that old rock n’ roll and dance in your kitchen. Or play drums.. really any kind of music that lifts your spirit and transports you toward the joys of spring just around the corner.

February Colors: Violet

Like the lovely Violet and highly vibrational Amethyst, February’s color is purple. Among the rarest of colors in nature, purple has the highest wavelength in the rainbow. In ancient civilization purple dye came on the scene around 1900 BCE. It was so hard to obtain from sources like shellfish that it became the color for kings and the very wealthy. The idea that purple is a luxurious color remains to this day.

Purple represents magic and spirituality in the metaphysical world. It vibrates with the energy of honor and inventiveness. Shades of purple also have various meanings. The light purple represents mirth and romance while dark shades embody logic and nobility. Psychologically children react to purple as a joyful color, free of worries.

February Symbol

In Celtic Calendar Rowan and Ash share the month of February. Ash represents change (perfect for this month), renewal and increased awareness. It is a marvelous tree for inventiveness and enthusiasm too.

The Celts admired the Rowan tree for not only its beauty but also its durability. The general symbolic values given to Rowan include renewal, safety, positive change, stability, psychic awareness and health. One of the interesting things about Rowan trees is that they appear to thrive in the most unlikely locations, making the best of whatever spot they root!

February Full Moon

The Full Moon in February has two names. One is Full Hunger Moon, pointing to the fact that tribes found it difficult to hunt in winter. The second name among North and Eastern tribes was aptly Snow Moon.

Magically speaking this is a great time for focusing on hearth and home. Alternatively use the energy of the snow moon to think about possibilities — all those seeds under the snow just waiting to burst forth.

February Facts

• February is the only month to have four 7-day weeks every 6 years.
• March and November start on the same weekday as February except during leap year when it’s mirrored in August.
• October ends on the same day of the week as February annually.
• People born on Leap year often celebrate on the 28th instead of waiting four years between parties.
• The first time the Supreme court met in the US was 2/1/1790.
• Oregon became the 33rd state on February 14, 1859.
• Sir Frances Drake set sail on the Pacific on February 11, 1578.
• John Glen, the first American to orbit earth, did so on February 10th, 1962.
• Groundhog Day (2/2) is a remnant of German immigrant’s superstitions.
• The Welsh name for February is “little month” and the Saxons called it “cake month” because of cake offerings to the Gods in this month.
• The Super Bowl takes place in February.

February Quotes

“February is merely as long as is needed to pass the time until March. – Dr. J. R. Stockton

February makes a bridge, and March breaks it.” ~ George Herbert

“February, when the days of winter seem endless and no amount of wistful recollecting can bring back any air of summer.” ~ Shirley Jackson

“Wan February with weeping cheer, Whose cold hand guides the youngling year
Down misty roads of mire and rime,
Before thy pale and fitful face
The shrill wind shifts the clouds apace
Through skies the morning scarce may climb.
Thine eyes are thick with heavy tears,
But lit with hopes that light the year’s.”
~ Algernon Charles Swinburne

“The February sunshine steeps your boughs and tints the buds and swells the leaves within.”
~ William C. Bryant

“February – the month of love..?!!
No wonder the shortest one in the calendar.” ~ Dinesh Kumar Biran

February Birthdays

• Norman Rockwell – 2/3
• Charles Lindbergh – 2/4
• Charles Dickens – 2/7
• Jules Verne – 2/8
• Mark Spitz – 2/10
• Charles Darwin – 2/12
• Galileo – 2/15
• Michael Jordan 2/17
• Sidney Poitier – 2/20
• Steve Irwin – 2/22
• Steve Jobs – 2/24
• Jackie Gleason – 2/26
• Mario Andretti – 2/28
• Pope Paul III – 2/29