February derives its name from the Latin verb, "februare, " meaning to purify and, as one might expect, various rites of purification took place in ancient times during this upcoming month.
Light also played an important role in many ancient purification rites and beliefs and so, understandably, light plays a significant role in the tales and actions of this month, especially in regard to Candlemas Day and Groundhog Day which were both observed on Feb. 2.
How did this all come about? It all started in ancient Rome. Candlemas actually had its antecedents in a pagan festival. During this festiva,l the citizens of Rome paraded about the Eternal City with lighted candles. The Romans, in this instance, patterned their behavior after the grain and spring goddess Ceres, who, according to myth, sought her lost daughter Proserpina by candlelight after Pluto, god of the underworld, had abducted her to the nether realm of darkness. Although candles were not used in the Jewish worship of the Old Testament, candles were used heavily by the ancient Romans not just for daily lighting, but also for ceremonial veneration of their gods, ancestors and emperors.
As Christianity moved into Rome, candles naturally were incorporated into Christian services. As early as the second century, candles were used for evening prayer, carried in Christian funeral processions, and by the third century burned at the tombs and graves of saints and martyrs. Eventually, by the fourth and fifth centuries, candles were burned before saintly relics and images. From then on candles, in increased numbers, were utilized to give glowing splendor in churches especially around the high altar.
With Christianity, February would remain a month dedicated to light and purification. After Dec. 25 was designated in the late fourth century as the anniversary of the Nativity, the 40 days after, or Feb. 2, became known as the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord and the Feast of the Purification of the Virgin Mary.
This came about because 40 days after Jesus' birth, Mary and Joseph brought the child to the Temple of Jerusalem to present to God as the Law of Moses prescribed. The Mosaic law likewise required that on the 40th day after the birth of her child, a mother should offer a sacrifice of purification from the stain of childbirth: namely, a lamb and a young pigeon, or, should she be poor, a pair of young pigeons or turtledoves.
At the time of the presentation, there was in the Temple a just and God-fearing man named Simeon, who recognized the infant as being the promised Messiah and embracing the babe declared Him the "Light of the Gentiles and the Glory of Israel."
From this association may have arisen the eventual name "Candlemas" as candles were identified on that day with Jesus, the "Light of the World," and through the passage of time came to be blessed on Feb. 2.
Although authorities differ on how the day actually came to be connected with lighted candles, it does appear to be a carry-over from the pagan Roman festival. Pope Innocent XII (reigned 1691-1700), after poring over ancient records, said in one of his sermons, "Because the holy fathers could not extirpate the custom, they ordained that Christians should carry about candles in honor of the Blessed Virgin; and thus what was done before in the honor of Ceres is now done in honor of the Blessed Virgin."
The origin of Groundhog Day, which is observed on the same day, is more obscure than that of Candlemas. It is generally assumed that Groundhog Day stems from an old European belief and tradition that a sunny Candlemas Day means six more weeks of winter. Some anthropologists believe this tradition came from Germany, where in a few of the late medieval principalities, duchies and kingdoms, it was the badger that broke its winter hibernation to scrutinize the skies.
This too may have had pagan antecedents. Whatever its inspirational cause, the "badger day" was revived during the time of the Protestant Reformation as a type of "grass-roots" reaction to what Protestants viewed as a day filled with excessive and unnecessary church ritual.
Anxious for an early spring, it was the Germans who came up with the expression that on Feb. 2 "the shepherd would rather see the wolf enter his stable than the sun." Similarly, it was probably around the same time that the English and the Scots composed many rhymes in which their weather aspirations were expressed. Here 's one of them . . .
If Candlemas Day be dry and fair, The half o' winter's to come and mair; If Candlemas Day be wet and foul, The half o' winter's gone at Yule. If Candlemas Day be fair and bright, Winter will have another flight; But if it be dark with clouds and rain, Winter is gone, and will not come again.
However you may have observed this Feb. 2, you'll have to agree that the day is certainly rich in folklore. Though it has confusing origins, it remains a day of light and also one of anticipated shadows, and a day of blessings, but always a day hoping for the bright promise of an early spring! ©CountyPressOnline.com 2004