The Violet Witch 

Valentine's Day, the "Hallmark Day"

We know February has long been celebrated as a month of romance, celebrating St. Valentine. It contains trace amounts of both Christian and ancient Roman tradition. The Catholic Church recognizes three different saints named Valentine or Valentinus. While some believe that Valentine’s Day is celebrated in the middle of February to commemorate the anniversary of Valentine’s death or burial (around A.D. 270) others claim that the Christian church may have decided to place St. Valentine’s feast day in the middle of February in an effort to “Christianize” the pagan celebration of Lupercalia. Lupercalia was a fertility festival dedicated to Faunus, the Roman god of agriculture, as well as to the Roman founders Romulus and Remus. At the end of the 5th century Pope Gelasius declared February 14 St. Valentine’s Day. It was not until much later, however, that the day became definitively associated with love.

The origins of Valentine's Day are somewhat unclear, but the holiday has been associated with love and romance for centuries. One popular story is that the holiday is named after Saint Valentine, a Christian martyr who was executed in Rome in the 3rd century AD. According to legend, Saint Valentine was a bishop who secretly performed weddings for couples who were forbidden to marry by Roman law. He was also said to have healed the daughter of his jailer, and before he was executed he wrote her a letter signed "Your Valentine."

Another theory is that Valentine's Day has its roots in the ancient Roman festival of Lupercalia, which was held in mid-February. This festival was dedicated to the god of fertility, and included feasting, drinking, and the exchange of gifts between lovers.

Over time, Valentine's Day became associated with romantic love and the exchange of messages or gifts between couples. The first written Valentine's Day message was sent in the 15th century by Charles, Duke of Orleans, to his wife while he was imprisoned in the Tower of London.

By the 18th century, the tradition of sending Valentine's Day messages had become widespread in England, and by the 19th century, the holiday had spread to other parts of Europe and North America. Today, Valentine's Day is celebrated in many countries around the world, with couples exchanging gifts, cards, and flowers as a symbol of their love and affection.

While Valentine's Day has its roots in Christian and ancient Roman traditions, it has evolved over time into a secular holiday focused on love and romance. Whether celebrated with romantic partners, friends, or family members, Valentine's Day continues to be a day dedicated to celebrating the bonds of affection that connect us to one another.

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President's Day

A day to celebrate the past Presidents of the USA, celebrated on the third Monday in February. Originally established in 1885 in recognition of President George Washington. Then in 1971 the Uniform Monday Holiday Act (an attempt to create more three-day weekends for the nation’s workers) was passed to celebrate all U.S. presidents, past and present.

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Mardi Gras

Mardi Gras, which means "Fat Tuesday" in French, is a festive celebration that takes place on the day before Ash Wednesday, which marks the beginning of the Christian season of Lent. The celebration is especially popular in cities with strong French Catholic traditions, such as New Orleans, Louisiana, and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

The origins of Mardi Gras can be traced back to ancient pagan celebrations of the arrival of spring, which were later adopted and adapted by the Catholic Church. In medieval Europe, the day before Lent began was a time for feasting and revelry, as people prepared to give up rich foods and other pleasures for the duration of the Lenten season.

In France, this day was known as "Mardi Gras," and was marked by parades, costumes, and other festivities. When the French colonized Louisiana in the 18th century, they brought the tradition of Mardi Gras with them, and it quickly became a popular holiday in the region.

In New Orleans, Mardi Gras is celebrated with parades featuring elaborate floats, colorful costumes, and throws (small gifts, such as beads and doubloons, tossed to the crowds). The parades are organized by private social clubs known as "krewes," which plan and fund the elaborate displays.

In addition to parades, Mardi Gras is also celebrated with other events and traditions, such as the king cake, a sweet pastry decorated with purple, green, and gold icing, and the crowning of the Mardi Gras king and queen.

While Mardi Gras is often associated with excess and debauchery, it is also a time of community and celebration, with many people coming together to share in the joy and revelry of the holiday. For many, Mardi Gras is a way to celebrate the rich cultural heritage of Louisiana and to honor the traditions of the past, while looking forward to a new season of growth and renewal in the spring.

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Candlemas

Candlemas is a Christian holiday that is celebrated on February 2nd, exactly 40 days after Christmas. The holiday commemorates two important events in the life of Jesus Christ: his presentation at the Temple in Jerusalem and the purification of the Virgin Mary.

The biblical story behind Candlemas comes from the Gospel of Luke. According to the story, when Jesus was 40 days old, his parents took him to the Temple in Jerusalem to present him to God and to make an offering of two turtledoves or pigeons, as was required by Jewish law. At the Temple, they met a man named Simeon, who had been promised by God that he would not die until he had seen the Messiah. Simeon recognized Jesus as the Messiah and praised God, saying, "Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation" (Luke 2:29-30).

Candlemas also commemorates the purification of the Virgin Mary, which was required by Jewish law 40 days after the birth of a child. Mary went to the Temple with Joseph to perform the purification ritual and to present Jesus to God.

The name "Candlemas" comes from the tradition of blessing and distributing candles during the church service, which symbolizes the light of Christ. In some Christian denominations, the candles are lit in a special ceremony that represents the light of Christ coming into the world.

Candlemas has been celebrated by Christians since the early centuries of the Church, and it is still observed today in many parts of the world. In some countries, such as Mexico and the Philippines, the holiday is celebrated with parades, processions, and other festive events. In other countries, Candlemas is a quieter, more reflective holiday, focused on prayer and worship.

Overall, Candlemas is a significant holiday in the Christian calendar, commemorating the presentation of Jesus at the Temple and the purification of the Virgin Mary, and symbolizing the light of Christ that shines in the world.

Chinese New Year

Chinese New Year, also known as Spring Festival or Lunar New Year, is the most important traditional holiday in China and many other Asian countries. It is celebrated on the first day of the lunar calendar, which typically falls between late January and mid-February.

Chinese New Year celebrations traditionally begin on the eve of the holiday, with families gathering for a large feast and the exchange of gifts. In the days that follow, there are parades, fireworks, and other festivities in many cities and towns throughout China and other parts of the world with significant Chinese populations.

Each year is associated with one of the 12 animals in the Chinese zodiac, and the animal for a given year is believed to influence the personalities and fortunes of people born during that year. The celebrations typically include many symbols and traditions associated with good luck, such as the color red, which is believed to ward off evil spirits, and the giving of red envelopes filled with money to children.

One of the most iconic symbols of Chinese New Year is the dragon dance, in which performers dressed in elaborate dragon costumes dance through the streets to the beat of drums and cymbals. The dragon is considered a symbol of good luck and prosperity in Chinese culture.

In addition to China, Chinese New Year is also celebrated in many other countries with significant Chinese populations, such as Malaysia, Singapore, and Taiwan. It is a time for families to come together, to honor ancestors, and to look forward to the coming year with hope and optimism.

 

Vali’s Blot

Modren Heathenism's answer to Valentine's Day. A movement to de-commercialize the holiday and weave Heathenistic beliefs into the day. A Harth Holy Day.

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