Many people are looking forward to spring. And when February comes, it is just around the corner. This is the last cold month when winter is struggling with spring for its rights. But no matter how hard she tried, the approach of long-awaited heat 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 expires, she does not want to give up her rights. The name comes from the Latin word "fevrorium", which means "holiday of purification."
February is the shortest month of the year. In a typical year it has 28 days, in a leap year - one day more. In the people this month is also called "snowflake", "fierce", "stitch", "bokogrey", "low water".
Popular signs 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 experiences. Popular signs for February can help us predict the weather in the future, tell us whether to wait for a good harvest, tell us when the winter is over. Believe these tips or not, you decide.
According to numerous observations of our ancestors, there are various folk signs for February. Here are some of them.
About animals and plants
In February, fish begin to come to life in ponds. On poplars, bird cherry, birch, hazelnut buds develop. If this month there is a lot of hoarfrost on the trees, then in the summer the bees will collect a lot of honey.
About the weather
February rallies gathered from generation to generation. The rural population in particular believes in them. According to observations of stove smoke from the chimney, residents could predict the weather: if the smoke is up, it will freeze, and if it spreads along the ground, heavy snow is expected.
Popular signs of the weather in February indicate that seven cold mornings are expected this month: three until February 24, three after and one on that day. According to the folk calendar, February 24 is called Vlasius.
Sometimes we can observe such a thing as thunder in February. Popular signs say that this is to strong winds. If there is little snow, then summer drought should be expected.
February omens by days
February 1, according to the national calendar - Makaryev Day (in honor of the Monk Makarios the Great of Egypt). On this day they judge what the weather will be like all February. The bright sun portends an early spring; if there are a lot of bright stars in the sky at night, then winter will go away soon and reluctantly.
February 2 - Efim's Day (in memory of the Monk Yefim the Great). Sunny weather suggests that it will be early spring. But if a blizzard, then in the oil week we should expect the same weather.
February 3 - Maximov’s day (in memory of the Monks Maximus the Confessor and Maximus the Greek). Observe the evening sky on this day. A bright red sunset suggests that tomorrow will be frosty cloudless weather. If a young month rests its horns in a cloud, then in the fall it will be a good grain harvest.
February 4 is the day of Timothy the half-winter (in memory of the apostle Timothy). It is believed that the crawl has already passed. On this day, frost can be stronger than January 31. It is noted that precisely after Timothy the blizzards and blizzards begin revenge. If the snow is deep, expect a good grain harvest.
February 6 - Aksinya-half-breadbox, Aksinya-half-winter. This day is a turning point in winter. Popular signs for the month of February say that what Aksinya is, spring will be like that.
February 7 is revered by Gregory the Theologian. They judge by the weather what the next winter will be like. Day from morning to noon talks about the weather in the first half of winter, and from noon to evening - about the remaining half.
On February 9, villagers were spinning dog hair. It was believed that if you do this work today, then the yarn will gain healing power. The noticed web in the corner foreshadowed the appearance of money in the house.
February 10 is the day of Ephraim the Syrian, the baker, the priobutnik, winding. On this day, the brownie celebrates its name day. He must be encouraged in every way: leave him porridge and tobacco. If you kill an insect seen in a house, then the house will be offended and good luck will leave the house.
On February 12, three non-spinners are venerated. Mistresses are better off giving up 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 fasting would protect against spring diseases.
On February 13, they honor Nikita Novgorodsky, who is the keeper of lightning and fires.
On February 14, they honor the holy martyr Tryphon, the caster of mice. On this day, a conspiracy was made against rodents and insects so that they did not harm the household.
February 15 is a great holiday, the Presentation of the Lord. It is believed that winter meets spring in that 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 that day, all inventory was taken out and repaired, starting to prepare for spring work.
February 17 is the day of Nikolai Studeny. In the forest, wolves "walk weddings."
February 18 - Agafin's day (in memory of the martyr Agafier). People believed that cow death roamed the villages. To scare her away, in the cowsheds hung bast shoes with a smell of tar. Even the village women stripped naked and at midnight they went “to beat the cow with death” (the first animal or person they met). No luck to those travelers who met them on the way!
February 19 is the Day of the Calf-puppet, when the cows begin to calve.
On February 20, it was popularly accepted to bake pies with onion filling. If the wind is at noon, the spring crop will be good.
February 21 is the day of Zachary the sickle, it is customary to examine the sickles and sprinkle them with holy water.
February 22 - Valentine's Day, droppers, it is customary to start weaving bast shoes.
February 23 is the memory of the Monk Prokhor Pechersky. The weather that stands on this day indicates what the summer and autumn will be like.
On February 24, the memory of the holy martyr Blasius, who is considered the patron saint of livestock, is honored. On this day, severe frost occurs almost every winter.
February 25 is the day of the Iveron Icon of the Mother of God. They attend church and pray for the health of every member of the family.
On February 26, the memory of Martinian is revered. On this day, young families meet in a general circle and share their impressions of family life.
February 27 honors the memory of Equal-to-the-Apostles Cyril. Good weather portends severe frosts.
February 28 - Onisim-ovchar, winter fisherman. Winter and spring are struggling, who should take the championship. On Onesimus put yarn in the cold for bleaching.
February 29 - Kasyanov Day. In the national calendar, this is a bad date: pestilence is sent to people and livestock.
