Daily Reading for Monday, 1 February, Year 10 Aq.

Monday February 1

A new month is upon us! Our second month of the Daily Reading Blog! Today we begin the month of February and our reading for today is:

Tower*
Empress*
Universe*

You will immediately notice that this is another one of those readings where every card is a Major Arcanum –that indicates that this will be a high energy day, a day whose happenings may be more significant than most. Our cards include the Tower, a Major Arcanum that signifies change and the releasing of old forms and circumstances. Outmoded situations and ideas must be released in order for new things to take shape. With it is the Empress, a Major Arcanum that represents abundance and prosperity. And finally we have the Universe, a Major Arcanum that represents happiness, prosperity, and success. Taken together these three cards suggest that this will be an important day that will include transcending or leaving behind old forms in order to embrace a more prosperous and successful situation. Altogether a very positive reading and excellent for the beginning of a new month!

A good stone for today might be Jasper, which helps to promote new ideas, new forms, and openness to new influences.

Today is the Kalends of February. February is named for Februus, an ancient name or title for the God of the Dead, and this month was looked upon as sacred to the God of the Dead by the ancient Romans. This is because in the ancient Mediterranean the New Year began for a time on March 1 (because March contained the Spring Equinox, and the sign of Aries). As the closing month of the year February naturally took on funereal connotations, much as October does for many people (because the Celtic New Year was/is November 1). Consequently to the Romans February involved ceremonies to honor and appease the Spirits as well as ceremonies to hasten the coming of Spring.

In the Northern Hemisphere today is the Grand Sabbat of Candlemas, also called Imbolc (Pro: “IM-molk”), Oimelc (Pro: “EE-mell”), and Lá Fhéile Bríde (Pro: Law AY-la VREE-jah”) after the Goddess Brighid/Bride. The name Candlemas comes from the Christianized version of the ceremony, which occurred on February 2, but is commonly used in Pagan circles because it so beautifully encompasses the nature of the holiday, which is dedicated to the returning light and often celebrated with a great many candles. In the creation cycle of the Vangelo delle Streghe Candlemas corresponds to the Goddess’ trembling with delight at the sight of the God’s brilliant light, described as the first dawn. The festival is sacred to the Maiden Goddess, and represents the first stirrings of spring. Divination is often performed on this day (or on February 2) to determine, often through the actions of a sacred animal such as a groundhog, bear, badger, or hamster, whether Spring has arrived or will be delayed for six more weeks (that is, until Ostara). Candlemas is also considered by many to be an especially auspicious time for initiations, because of its associations with dawn and spring.

In the Southern Hemisphere today is the Grand Sabbat of Lammas, also called Lughnassad (Pro: “LOON-uh-sah”). The name Lammas comes from the Christianized version of the festival and means “Loaf Mass” because the first loaves baked from the new wheat crop were blessed on this day, or sometimes the Sunday nearest. Lammas represents the beginning of the harvest season, and on this day the new harvest is blessed. Considered the festival of the First Fruits, it is often customary to bless and make and offering of the first fruits of garden or field in the Lammas ritual. Often a loaf of bread baked in the shape of a man is made and eaten, to symbolize the spirit of the harvest, in acknowledgment that vegetal life is no less sacred than animal life.

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