February

The month of purification amongst the ancient Romans. (Latin, febʹruo, to purify by sacrifice.)

The 2nd of Febʹruary (Candlemas Day). It is said, if the weather is fine and frosty at the close of January and beginning of February, we may look for more winter to come than we have seen up to that time.

“Si sol splendescat Mariʹa Purificantĕ,

Major erit glaciës post festum quam fuit ante.”

Sir T. Browne: Vulgar Errors.

“If Candlemas Day be dry and fair,

The half oʹ winter’s come and mair;

If Candlemas Day be wet and foul,

The half oʹ winter was gane at Youl.”

Scotch Proverb.

“The badger peeps out of his hole on Candlemas Day, and, if he finds snow, walks abroad; but if he sees the sun shining he draws back into his hole.”—German Proverb.

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Entry taken from Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, edited by the Rev. E. Cobham Brewer, LL.D. and revised in 1895.

February

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