In February, as winter nears its midpoint, things heat up a bit. Better get some good party-time in, before serious preparations for holy times begin.
The coming month of February is filled with fun festivals:
- 2 February brings us the hilarious Groundhog Day.
- On 11 February many places around the world will celebrate Carnival.
- 14 February or Valentine’s Day is of course the time for a little romance.
- And on 18 February the Chinese New Year inaugurates the Year of the Pig.
For many Christians this is a time of respite from solemn religious holidays. The Christmas Season ended on the eve of 8 January, and “Ordinary Time” is again in effect... until the beginning of Lent on Ash Wednesday, on 21 February.
Carnival is in many ways a last “pig-out” before the fast of Lent. Saint Valentine’s Day, too, has become in its commercial form an “anti-Lent” of sorts: a day of love, partying and gifts of food and riches.
Articles:
- Groundhog Day
- The Origins of Saint Valentine’s Day
- The Origins of Carnival
- The Season of Lent
- Lent Days of Forgiveness
- Chinese New Year
- Year of the Pig
Other February festivals and holy days:
- 15 February is the Mayahana Buddhist Parinirvana Day or Nirvana Day.
- 16 February is the Hindu Night of Shiva, or Maha Shivaratri.
