Many people are looking forward to the approach of spring. And when February comes, it's just around the corner. This is the last cold month when winter fights with spring for its rights. But no matter how hard she tries, the long-awaited warmth is already felt in the air.
Such a short February
According to the tear-off calendar, this is the last month of winter, although even after it has passed, she does not want to give up her rights. The name comes from the Latin word "fevruary", which means "holiday of purification".
February is the shortest month of the year. In a normal year, it has 28 days, in a leap year it has one more day. People also call this month "snow", "fierce", "stezhen", "bokogrey", "low water".
Folk omens for February
People have long believed in signs that have accumulated from generation to generation. There are a huge number of them, and they came to us from ancient times. Beliefs are based on people's life experiences. Folk omens for February can help us predict the weather in the future,they will tell you whether to expect a good harvest, they will tell you when the winter will end. Believe these clues or not, it's up to you.
According to the numerous observations of our ancestors, there are various folk omens for February. Here are some of them.
About animals and plants
In February, fish begin to come to life in the reservoirs. Buds develop on poplars, bird cherry, birches, and hazelnuts. If there is a lot of frost on the trees this month, then in summer the bees will collect a lot of honey.
About the weather
Folk omens for February have been collected from generation to generation. The rural population in particular believes in them. By observing the stove smoke from the chimney, residents could predict the weather: if the smoke rises, it will be frost, and if it spreads on the ground, heavy snowfall is expected.
Folk weather signs for February say that seven cold mornings are expected this month: three before February 24, three after and one on that day itself. According to the folk calendar, February 24 is called Vlasiy.
Sometimes we can observe such a phenomenon as thunder in February. Folk signs say that this is for strong winds. If there is little snow, then a summer drought should be expected.
Folk signs of February by day
February 1 according to the folk calendar - Makariev Day (in honor of St. Macarius the Great of Egypt). On this day, they judge what the weather will be like throughout February. The bright sun heralds early spring; if there are many bright stars in the sky at night, thenwinter will not go away soon and reluctantly.
February 2 - Efimov's Day (in memory of St. Efim the Great). Sunny weather indicates that there will be an early spring. But if there is a blizzard, then the same weather should be expected in the oil week.
February 3 - Maxim's Day (in memory of St. Maxim the Confessor and Maxim the Greek). On this day, watch the evening sky. A bright red sunset indicates that there will be frosty cloudless weather tomorrow. If the young moon rests its horns against a cloud, then in autumn there will be a good grain harvest.
February 4 - the day of Timothy the half-winter (in memory of the Apostle Timothy). It is believed that half-winter has already passed. On this day, the frost can be stronger than on January 31st. It is noted that it is after Timothy that blizzards and blizzards begin to take revenge. If the snow is deep, expect a good harvest of bread.
February 6 - Aksinya-half-bread, Aksinya-half-winter. This day is the turning point of winter. Folk omens for the month of February say that what Aksinya is like, spring will be like that.
February 7, Gregory the Theologian is venerated. The weather determines what the next winter will be like. A day from morning to noon speaks of the weather in the first half of winter, and from noon to evening - of the remaining half.
On February 9, villagers were spinning dog hair. It was believed that if this work is done today, the yarn will gain healing power. A spider web seen in the corner foreshadowed the appearance of money in the house.
February 10 is the day of Ephraim the Sirin, baker, joker, wind blower. On this day, the brownie celebrates his name day. He needs to be appeased in every possible way:leave him porridge and tobacco. If you kill an insect seen in a dwelling, then the brownie will be offended and luck will leave the house.
February 12, three saints-unspinners are venerated. It is better for housewives to refuse spinning. On this day, people observed a one-day fast: their diet consisted of raw onions, bread and kvass. It was believed that this one-day fast would protect against spring diseases.
February 13, they honor Nikita Novgorodsky, who is the guardian from lightning and fires.
February 14, the holy martyr Tryphon, the mouse charmer, is venerated. On this day, they made a conspiracy against rodents and insects so that they would not harm the household.
February 15 is a big holiday, the Presentation of the Lord. It is believed that winter meets spring on this day. If at least once a day the sun came out, then the meeting took place. If not, then winter will not give up its rights for a long time.
February 16 is the day of Simeon and Anna. On this day, all equipment was taken out and repaired, starting to prepare for spring work.
February 17 is the day of Nikolai Studenoy. In the forest, wolves "walk weddings".
February 18 - Agafia's day (in memory of the martyr Agafia). People believed that cow death roams the villages. To scare her away, bast shoes with the smell of tar were hung in the barns. Even the village women stripped naked and at midnight went to "beat the cow's death" (the first animal or person that they meet). No luck for those travelers who met them on the way!
February 19 - Vukola Day-calf house when the cows begin to calve.
On February 20, it was customary for the people to bake pies stuffed with onions. If it is windy at noon, then the spring harvest will be good.
February 21 is the day of Zechariah the sickle-seeer, it is customary to inspect the sickles and sprinkle them with holy water.
February 22 is Valentine's Day, it is customary to start weaving bast shoes.
February 23, the memory of St. Prokhor of the Caves is venerated. The weather on this day indicates what summer and autumn will be like.
February 24 commemorates the Holy Martyr Blaise, who is considered the patron saint of livestock. On this day, severe frost occurs almost every winter.
February 25 is the day of the Iberian Icon of the Mother of God. Attend church and pray for the he alth of each family member.
Martinian is commemorated on February 26th. On this day, young families meet in a general circle and share their impressions of family life.
February 27 honors the memory of Cyril Equal to the Apostles. Good weather portends severe frosts.
February 28 - Onisim the Shepherd, Zimobor. Winter struggles with spring, who will take the championship. On Onesimus, yarn was exposed to frost for bleaching.
February 29 - Kasyanov day. In the folk calendar, this is a bad date: pestilence is sent to people and livestock.
Is spring coming soon?
When February, the last month of winter, comes to an end, people are already tired of the cold and snow, of the low gray sky. So you want to bask under the rays of the spring sun, hear the chirping of birds, walk alonggreen grass! Winter will soon recede, turning into dirty puddles and flowing into the rivers in cheerful murmuring streams. Nature will come to life, and people will fuss along with it: busy summer residents will rush to their plots, cheerful companies will have picnics in the fresh air.
