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Category Archives: Miscellaneous
Welcome to May
Limbourg brothers (fl. 1402–1416)
Public Domain (Wikimedia Commons)
May, the fifth month in the Gregorian and Julian calendars, is named after the Greek goddess Maia. It was the third month in the Roman calendar and has 31 days. The full moon in May, often called the Flower Moon, coincides with blooming flowers.
Davidjose365, May 2015
Wikimedia Commons
May is associated with spring in the Northern Hemisphere and autumn in the Southern Hemisphere. As a bridge between spring and summer, it has varying hot and cold days by location. The saying “Warm January, cool May” is sometimes true. In the past, homes were sealed for winter, but in May, windows were opened to let in warm spring air. Spring cleaning remains a tradition to freshen homes after winter. In *The Beverly Hillbillies*, Granny cleaned the mansion thoroughly, placing items outside.
Spring Lamb In The Sunshine
Photo: Tanya Hall/publicdomainpictures.net
Spring is when plants start growing, and many festivals celebrate this season. Ancient Romans held several in May, and many Europeans still do. Late May often marks the start of summer. May’s symbols are the emerald (birthstone), lily of the valley, and hawthorn (birth flowers).
For more information
Catherine Boeckmann, “The Month of May 2025: Holidays, Fun Facts, Folklore,” Almanac.Com, last modified April 23, 2025, https://www.almanac.com/content/month-may-holidays-fun-facts-folklore.
“The Month of May,” https://www.timeanddate.com/calendar/months/may.html.
Wikipedia contributors, “May,” Wikipedia, last modified April 21, 2025, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/May.
Happy Sunday
Spring Lamb In The Sunshine
Photo: Tanya Hall/publicdomainpictures.net
Welcome to April
Circa 1510
Venedig, Biblioteca Marciana
Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons
April is the fourth month on the current Gregorian and Julian calendar. On the old Roman calendar, it was the second month after March since there was no January or February. In the Northern Hemisphere, April is the first month of spring while in the Southern, it is fall. Since the month was seen as a month of sun and and growth, the Romans named the month Aprillis. The name possibly is connected to the Greek goddess Aphrodite, but its origin is unclear. However, the name has stuck and called today April.
With winter over in the Northern Hemisphere, it is a time of joy the days get warmer. The cold days of rain, snow, and frost begin to recede in earnest in most places though the further north you are, it will hold out for a bit longer. April is known for countless festivities to herald this time of year. Of course, April 1 is April Fool’s Day, which is celebrated globally as a day of playing pranks. It is thought that it began as a way to celebrate the end of winter since people would be happy to see it go. So, playing joyful pranks on friends and neighbors would occur. April also is often a time of two major celebrations for Christianity and Judaism: Easter and Passover.
The first full moon in April has both religious and secular meanings. Since Jews use a lunar calendar, Passover occurs in the seventh month and on the 14th day at the full moon. The Western Christian church generally observes Easter after the first full moon after the Vernal Equinox in March. Thus, the first Sunday after the Paschal Moon is when Easter Sunday will be observed. Sometimes Easter and Passover will be celebrated at nearly the same time. However sometimes the astronomical date and the ecclesiastical date do not always sync up. At the Council of Nicea in 325 AD, it was decided Easter Sunday would be celebrated on the first Sunday after the Vernal Equinox (usually March 21). It was further decided that Easter Sunday, to accommodate a full moon right after the equinox, would be celebrated between March 22 up to April 25. Sometimes Easter Sunday will occur March since the full moon (sometimes called the Lenten Moon in this case) occurs right after the equinox.
As you might guess, this involves a lot of calculations (called Computus) to get everything properly set up for Lent and Easter Sunday for each liturgical year. Since the Western churches use the Gregorian calendar, it corrects the problems of the older Julian calendar during the solar year. Eastern Orthodox still uses the Julian calendar for its liturgical year, so its observance of Easter can fall a week or several weeks later. Every four years, both calendars align, and both observe Easter Sunday on the same date. Since Easter Sunday also determines public holidays in different countries, the dates for those holidays change each year as well.
Other cultures had different names for the April moon. One is the Pink Moon. This was used in some places in North America. It did not denote the moon was pink but that a certain flower turned pink in April. Breaking Moon was used by Native Americans in Dakota as the return of warmth meant the end of ice. Names were sometimes connected to when certain animals returned from their winter retreats (Moon When Ducks Return etc.)
Of course, there is a lot of folklore around the first moon in April. Here are some favorites:
A full Moon in April brings frost. If the full Moon rises pale, expect rain.
“A cold April the barn will fill.”
(Old Farmer’s Almanac)
Suggested Reading
Catherine Boeckmann, “The Month of April 2025: Holidays, Fun Facts, Folklore,” Almanac.Com, last modified March 21, 2025, https://www.almanac.com/content/month-april-holidays-fun-facts-folklore.
“The Month of April,” https://www.timeanddate.com/calendar/months/april.html.
Stephen Bedard, “How Is the Date for Easter Calculated? – History of Christianity,” History of Christianity, last modified March 29, 2025, https://historyofchristianitypodcast.com/2025/03/28/how-is-the-date-for-easter-calculated/.
Happy Friday
Welcome to Spring 2025
Photo:Anita Martinz(Flickr)
Today the March Equinox takes place ending winter and ushering in spring. To find out the exact time this will occur where you live, please go to www.timeanddate.com.
Spring Lamb In The Sunshine
Photo: Tanya Hall/publicdomainpictures.net
The March Equinox marks the moment where the Sun crosses the equator (an imaginary line in the sky above the equator) from south to north and usually occurs between March 19-21 every year. Both the March and September equinoxes are when the Sun shines directly on the equator making night and day nearly equal. This equinox is the transition from winter to spring in the Northern Hemisphere but the reverse in the Southern Hemisphere (summer into fall). Various cultures celebrate March equinox as a time of rebirth. Many spring festivals are timed to coincide with the equinox and some religious events (Passover and Easter) use specific calculations based on the equinox to help determine the exact day of the event.
Meteorologists however start spring on March 1 rather than by the March Equinox. The reason is that they divide the year into four quarters to make it easier to compare data and compile statistics. Meteorological seasons use annual temperature cycles rather than the position of the Sun. While astronomers follow the position of the Sun regarding equinoxes and solstices, meteorologists use the calendar to prevent problems since the dates of equinoxes and solstices can vary each year.
Early spring is when the Earth’s axis increases its tilt relative to the Sun resulting in more daylight for that part world where it spring is occurring. It is a time when the increased warmth results in more plant growth (spring forth as it used to be said and how spring got its name). The resulting warmth also makes snow melt causing streams to swell and frosts to diminish. For areas that get little or no snow, ground temperatures will increase quickly as well. Despite spring beginning in March, in areas where there is no snow early plant growth can begin as early as February (or August down below). Arctic zones may not experience spring until May.
Image: NASA
Due to the reversal of seasons in the Southern Hemisphere, Easter is celebrated in Autumn. The Allhallowtide (Halloween, All Saints’ Day, All Souls’ Day) is celebrated in Spring.
Despite the change of the seasons–both calendar and meteorologically speaking–winter does continue in many places. And with it can come unpredictable weather which my favorite feline Garfield illustrates it perfectly. Garfield is outside. First it is warm and sunny. Then cold and rainy. Then back to warm and sunny. And then rain again and then another dry day. Finally, Garfield yells in exasperation “Will you make up your mind?” The next frame is split with one half having rain and the other half sunny. And it is more accurate than most of us want to believe.
There are two sayings that get the season right, courtesy of The Old Farmer’s Almanac:
Bluebirds are a sign of spring; warm weather and gentle south breezes they bring.
One swallow does not make a spring.
Welcome to Spring!
For Further Reading
“March Equinox,” last modified March 11, 2025, https://www.timeanddate.com/calendar/march-equinox.html.
Catherine Boeckmann, “First Day of Spring 2025: The Spring Equinox,” Almanac.Com, last modified March 12, 2025, https://www.almanac.com/content/first-day-spring-vernal-equinox.
———. “March Equinox 2025: All You Need to Know.” EarthSky | Updates on Your Cosmos and World. Last modified February 26, 2025. https://earthsky.org/astronomy-essentials/everything-you-need-to-know-vernal-or-spring-equinox/.
Today is the Feast of Saint Patrick (17 March)
Church of Our Lady, Star of the Sea, and St. Patrick, Goleen, County Cork, Ireland
Photo:Andreas F. Borchert/Wikimedia
St. Patrick is the patron saint of Ireland and known for bringing Christianity to Ireland. He was born in 390 A.D in Britain and raised by a Christian family. However he was not much interested in God and at the time was illiterate. When he was 16, he was kidnapped and taken to Ireland where he was forced to work as a shepherd on a hillside. All alone except for his sheep and captors. he began to cry out to God for rescue him. He had a dream in which God revealed himself and that he would be going home.
Risking his life, he boarded a ship for Britain where he returned to his family. He was welcomed back but realized that he had been transformed by God. He entered a monastery to pursue his calling as a Catholic priest. As a result of his education, he came to understand Holy Scripture and impressed his peers and superiors with his character. He would be made a bishop in due course. Nearly three decades after this slavery in Ireland, he felt a call from God that he had to return to Ireland and spread the word of Jesus to a people who had become lost. This was no easy journey for him since travel was difficult but he faced hostility from those who opposed him trying to convert people away from paganism. Patrick was ready though to face the trials that might take his life (he was attacked and beaten by thugs and Irish royalty disdained him) and persevered in proclaiming the Gospel and training converts.
His courageous leadership and his crisscrossing the countryside paid off as thousands and more would be converted. Churches were being established and he was training those to shepherd the church after he was gone. He would die on March 17, 461 A.D. He has been venerated as a saint and patron saint of Ireland since then by the Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, Anglican and Lutheran churches.
Public Domain/Wikipedia
In Ireland it is a solemnity and thus a holy day of obligation. It is also a cultural day as well to celebrate Ireland. Traditionally many in Ireland will wear shamrocks, wear green, attend Mass, watch parades, have a special breakfast and dinner, and of course celebrate by having a beer in their favorite pub (or outside due to the crowds). It has been a public holiday in Ireland since 1903. Since the feast does fall within Lent and is a solemnity in Ireland, it is permissible to eat foods normally excluded during this time (or any food you have selected to give up). Outside of Ireland though, it is not and local bishops will offer guidance. Usually the bishop will allow those who wish to celebrate to be excused from Friday obligation of fasting but may require you to fast on a different day in the week or the following one.
Fun Fact (or perhaps not)
Many people associate Corned Beef and Cabbage as an Irish dish for St. Patrick’s Day (please do not say St. Paddy’s Day!). However it is not an Irish dish but an Irish-American one. In Ireland of the past, land was precious due to the English seizing lots of it for themselves (and putting many Irish people into indentured servitude in the American Colonies). So people did not have lots of land needed for cows to graze on (you might have a cow for milk but that would be it). Pigs became popular because they require no grazing, can be easily penned, and thus cheaper to keep. So while possibly in the far past they used beef, pork became the preferred meat for many meals and especially for St. Patrick’s Day. When Irish migrated to the United States much later (due to the famine), they discovered corned beef when they saw it being used in Jewish delicatessens. So like dumping turnips for the American pumpkin for the Jack o’ Lantern, corned beef became popular amongst many Irish people since it was easily available unlike in Ireland. And thus was born the now popular corned beef and cabbage amongst Irish Americans.
In Ireland, Paddy’s Day (as it is called there), corned beef and cabbage is rarely eaten (except in places that cater the American crowd). Most will have the Irish Fry (bacon, eggs, fried tomatoes, black pudding, and brown soda bread). Tea is incredibly popular in Ireland so it will be at every meal as well. Additionally, scones will be served during the day. For dinner it is often a beef pot roast (roast met with mashed potatoes, peas, carrots and gray). Another popular meal might be Irish bangers and mash as well. Apple tarts or other treats will be served as well. There are many regional variations as well .
The Minstrel Boy
Probably one of the most favored Irish tunes is The Minstrel Boy. Here is a version from Star Trek: The Next Generation episode The Wounded, Following it is a more traditional version. Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
Sources:
“Who Was St. Patrick? – Celebratation, Ireland, Catholic | HISTORY.” HISTORY, 4 Mar. 2024, www.history.com/topics/st-patricks-day/who-was-saint-patrick.
“St. Patrick – Saints and Angels – Catholic Online.” Catholic Online, www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=89.
CATHOLIC ENCYCLOPEDIA: St. Patrick. www.newadvent.org/cathen/11554a.htm.
Welcome to March
March is the third month on both the old Julian and current Gregorian calendar. It is the month that begins spring in the Northern Hemisphere and autumn in the Southern Hemisphere. March is believed to be derived from the Roman god Mars (Greek equivalent Ares). Before the advent of the Julian calendar, Romans considered March the first month of the new year. With winter over, it was also the start of military campaigns to resume. Festivals were also held at this time in ancient Rome to honor Mars as well.
The March equinox is usually around March 21-22. Many spring festivals take place in March. Passover and Easter may take place in March, but not always as it is dependent upon very specific calculations and can change from year to year. St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated on March 17. If it falls on a Friday, Catholics are given dispensation to eat meat on that day (at least in Ireland and in areas where the feast is celebrated) If it falls on a Sunday, the diocese that observes the day will do so on Monday. For Ireland, since St. Patrick is its patron saint, it will be celebrated on Sunday replacing the normally observed day of Lent.
Public Domain/Wikipedia
The famous Ides of March (March 15) was once a day to pay debts in Rome, but it became infamously associated with the assassination of Julius Caesar on that day in 44 BC. Daylight Saving Time begins in the U.S. and Canada on the second Sunday in March. For most of Europe, this will occur on March 31. The first full moon of March is often called the Worm Moon as many earthworms are being noticed in the Northern Hemisphere.
For Further Information
———. “The Month of March 2025: Holidays, Fun Facts, Folklore.” Almanac.Com. Last modified February 19, 2025. https://www.almanac.com/content/month-march-holidays-fun-facts-folklore.
“The Month of March,” last modified February 20, 2025, https://www.timeanddate.com/calendar/months/march.html.
Byrd, Deborah, and Deborah Byrd. “March Equinox 2025: All You Need to Know.” EarthSky | Updates on Your Cosmos and World. Last modified December 12, 2024. https://earthsky.org/astronomy-essentials/everything-you-need-to-know-vernal-or-spring-equinox/.
Saint Valentine (14 Feb)-Christian Martyr
Photo: Blackfish (Wikimedia Commons)
Valentine’s Day is used by many to show their affection or love for someone they care about. It has spawned an industry for greeting card makers, candies, and of course flowers. However, there is a real religious component as many Christian denominations celebrate it as feast day, commemoration, or optional for the local diocese (such as the Catholic Church). Valentine was the name of many Christian martyrs in the early Church resulting in them all being remembered for their acts of sacrifice for the faith. Some denominations, such as Eastern Orthodox Church, celebrate a particular St. Valentine on two different days.
The association with romantic love could be linked to an ancient Roman festival has been made but there is no evidence of any link. Most seem to believe the link began with Chaucer’s Parlemont of Foules where he indicates birds choose their mates on St. Valentine’s Day although 14 Feb might not be the day Chaucer was referring to. Other poems made the association of love and St. Valentine’s Day in the medieval period and English Renaissance. For those who needed love verses but lacked the ability to compose them, publishers started offering them. Then putting them on paper and sending them became possible. Paper valentines became very popular in 19th century England resulting in their industrial production. They became popular in the United States as well. With such cards being popular, you needed other things to accompany a card. Roses and chocolates became popular, likely due to skillful marketing to associate them with the day. And so, Valentine’s Day became a very major day for greeting card companies, chocolate makers, and sellers of flowers (roses being the most popular flower for the day).
But Who Was Saint Valentine?
Saint Valentine is a Christian martyr who died in the 3rd century on April 14 but owing to the confusion there were at least three people named Saint Valentine, his actual history is lacking. One Saint Valentine was a priest and physician in Rome who was martyred in 270 AD under the reign of Claudius II Gothicus (reigned 268-270 AD). He was buried on the Via Flaminia and a basilica was reportedly put over it by Pope Julius I. Archaeological excavations have shown that a found evidence of the tomb. During the thirteenth century his relics were moved to the Church of Praxedes near the Basilica of St. Mary Major where they are today. A small church built near the Flaminian Gate (today called Porta de Popolo) was called in the twelfth century “the Gate of St. Valentine” adding more weight to this Saint Valentine.
The second Saint Valentine was reportedly the bishop of Terni, Italy (Interamna at the time). He too was arrested and martyred during the same emperor. However, it is not clear whether he was executed in Rome or in Terni. Some argue that St. Valentine I and Saint Valentine II are the same person and the accounts got jumbled up. There has been confusion in the past with two people who became saints sharing the same name. Usually, they have something extra added to differentiate (St. John of the Cross vs. St. John of Damascus). It is possible that there were two men named Valentine, one a priest in Rome and the other in Terni. We simply have no way of knowing.
The third St. Valentine was martyred in Africa along with his companions during the same period and possibly under the same emperor. In this case, there is nothing further known at all. Just a mention of it and no one can say for sure whether this is true or not. With three St. Valentine’s all claiming to have suffered martyrdom, all the church can say is that they died as martyrs for their faith. In 1969 St. Valentine was removed from the general Roman calendar making the commemoration of his feast day optional. As in the case of all saints so designated, it is up to the local bishops to decide whether to it observed. For example, the feast of St. Patrick is a solemnity in Ireland and in the diocese of New York but not elsewhere. St. Valentine is still considered a martyr by the Catholic church.
Sources
“Saint Valentine | Facts, Patron Saint of, Feast Day, History, and Legends.” Encyclopedia Britannica, 13 Feb. 2024, www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-Valentine.
“Saint Julius I | Roman Bishop, Church Father, Defender.” Encyclopedia Britannica, 20 July 1998, www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-Julius-I.
“Valentine’s Day 2024: Origins, Background and Traditions | HISTORY.” HISTORY, 22 Dec. 2009, www.history.com/topics/valentines-day/history-of-valentines-day-2.
Saunders, William Father | History of St. Valentine. www.catholiceducation.org/en/culture/catholic-contributions/history-of-st-valentine.html.
Welcome to February
Public Domain (via Wikimedia Commons)
February is the second month on the Gregorian and Julian calendars. With 28 days (except in leap years when there are 29), it is the shortest month of the year. On the old Roman calendar, the year ended in December, and the new year started in March. The name is derived from Februarius, a purification ritual that was held around 15 February on the old Roman lunar calendar. While in the northern hemisphere February is still winter heading towards spring, in the southern seasons are switched so they are heading towards autumn.
With shorter number of days, it is the one month that can pass without a full moon (it happened in 2018). There are many fascinating names used during the month such as Snow Moon to indicate snow is on the ground. Some Native American tribes call it the Hunger Moon due to limited food sources during winter.
February is considered the snowiest month of winter, though that can of course vary by the year. 2 February has been set aside (for reasons far longer than be put here) as a day for weather forecasting by various animals. The most famous is of course Punxsutawney Phil and if the groundhog sees his shadow then six weeks more of winter is expected. He is rated by the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) as being accurate 40% of the time. A lot of people trek to see the groundhog in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania so it has become quite an event. The whole idea comes from German settlers who back in Germany used badgers for the same purpose. Lacking badgers here, groundhogs were used and so the whole thing mushroomed into what it is today.
There is also a religious connection to 2 February. In most Christian churches, 2 February is celebrated as either Candlemas (the old name) or Presentation of the Lord. The faithful will bring candles to be blessed to be used during winter (and beyond as needed). And then the day is celebrated as also when the infant Jesus is brought to the temple in Jerusalem to be presented in accordance with the law of Moses. There Simeon, a prophet who had been told he would see the promised messiah before he died, took the infant into his arms and blessed him:
Now thou dost dismiss thy servant, O Lord, according to thy word in peace; Because my eyes have seen thy salvation, Which thou hast prepared before the face of all peoples: A light to the revelation of the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel. And his father and mother were wondering at those things which were spoken concerning him. And Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary his mother: Behold this child is set for the fall, and for the resurrection of many in Israel, and for a sign which shall be contradicted; And thy own soul a sword shall pierce, that, out of many hearts, thoughts may be revealed. (Luke 2:25-35)
The February flowers are violet (to signify loyalty, faithfulness and watchfulness) and the primrose (to let someone know you cannot be without them). Of course, roses are the unofficial flower since Valentine’s Day on 14 February usually means a lot of roses are purchased for wives and girlfriends.
For More Information
Boeckmann, Catherine. “February Calendar 2025: Holidays, Fun Facts, and Folklore.” Almanac.Com. Last modified January 29, 2025. https://www.almanac.com/content/month-february-holidays-fun-facts-folklore.
“The Month of February,” https://www.timeanddate.com/calendar/months/february.html.
Contributors to Wikimedia projects, “1911 Encyclopædia Britannica/February,” Wikisource, the Free Online Library, last modified August 14, 2020, https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/1911_Encyclop%C3%A6dia_Britannica/February.
Cecil Adams, “How Come February Has Only 28 Days? – the Straight Dope,” The Straight Dope, last modified July 28, 2020, https://www.straightdope.com/21341610/how-come-february-has-only-28-days.