February. An “in between” month, I find. There is Winter and there is Spring. And most often (at least in the Netherlands) there is neither. Also, there is Carnival and Lent, exuberant celebration followed by sobriety. I never really know what to do with February. To me, it’s a month of mixed feelings. Of contrasts.
Apparently, the Romans at first had a 10 month calendar instead of 12 months and did not name this winter period. To me, somehow, that makes sense. What to do with this winter month? After all the light of Christmas and the excitement of a New Year have gone? All you can long for is Spring to come. And when you think it arrived, Winter surprises you with the next bout of cold, frost and miserable weather.
Only later, the Romans added both January and February. February derives from the Latin word ‘februum’, purification. The Romans held a purification ritual at full moon in February.
Lent is also about purification, about letting go of old patterns, habits, views. A reinforcement of the good intentions at the beginning of the year. But deeper than that, because it focuses on what’s to come at Easter.
Still, I feel in between. In between the cold of Winter and the promise of Spring, in between what’s buried inside me and what can arise from me. For now, I have no idea.