Posted by Mindy Tulsi-Ingram on 1st Feb 2024
February Newsletter - Let's "hooga" and February Celebrations
There is a lot to experience and celebrate in February! Discover Cupid, hygge, and more.
Happy Chinese New Year – February 10th
Valentine’s Day – February 14th
Leap Year – February 29th
And ... a lot more is packed into the shortest month of the year.
- Groundhog Day – February 2 – tradition of groundhog predicting the arrival of spring.
- World Cancer Day – February 4 – observed globally to raise awareness of cancer prevention, detection and treatment.
- Mardi Gras / Shrove Tuesday / Pancake Tuesday – February 13 - day before Ash Wednesday marking the beginning of Lent.
- Family Day (BC) – February 19
- Black History Month – to recognize contributions of African Americans to history, culture, and society.
February feels like the longest month in winter, despite having the fewest number of days – but this year is special - it’s a leap year.
Not only do we get an extra day this year, but women gain the opportunity to take part in a custom that dates to 5th century Ireland. At the request of St. Brigid of Kildare, who complained that women had to wait too long for men to propose, St. Patrick designated this day allowing a woman to propose to her man, instead of traditionally waiting to be asked.
The tradition continued in Scotland and in 1288 Queen Margaret declared that not only women could propose, but the men who refused were faced with a fine – nothing monetary, but it was a kiss, a silk dress or a pair of gloves to be given to the rejected lady. Could be a win-win for the lady, don’t you think?
In the United States. February 29 is also referred to as Sadie Hawkins Day, based on Li’l Abner, the Al Capp comic strip character, and is celebrated with Sadie Hawkins dances where girls would ask boys to attend.
Because of these traditions, February 29 is also called Bachelors’ Day in some places.
Need a little help before the 29th? The Valentine’s Day tradition encourages people of openly express their love for each other –with gifts, flowers, or chocolates, and often all three.
Thanks to tradition, we have Cupid, the son of Mercury and the Roman god of love, (like Eros, the Greek god of love) who fell in love with Psych, who eventually became a goddess. He is thought of as the god of love, attraction and affection.
Because of this, he has been attributed the power to inspire love and passion. By shooting people with his golden tipped arrow, he can make people fall in love with each other, and therefore is a symbol of love on Valentine’s Day.
According to Ovid, and previously unknown to me, Cupid also has another arrow that can make people fall out of love or even not love others. Thankfully, we don’t hear or see much of that on Valentine’s Day.
Self Care + Love + Hygge = Happiness
The focus is to step away from the daily rush and spend time with people you care about, enjoying quiet time, sharing a meal, a drink, or simple pleasures. It is an opportunity to unwind, celebrate the small joys of life, and share experiences, with no set agenda.
Not only do we get an extra day this year, but women gain the opportunity to take part in a custom that dates to 5th century Ireland. At the request of St. Brigid of Kildare, who complained that women had to wait too long for men to propose, St. Patrick designated this day allowing a woman to propose to her man, instead of traditionally waiting to be asked.
The tradition continued in Scotland and in 1288 Queen Margaret declared that not only women could propose, but the men who refused were faced with a fine – nothing monetary, but it was a kiss, a silk dress or a pair of gloves to be given to the rejected lady. Could be a win-win for the lady, don’t you think?
In the United States. February 29 is also referred to as Sadie Hawkins Day, based on Li’l Abner, the Al Capp comic strip character, and is celebrated with Sadie Hawkins dances where girls would ask boys to attend.
Because of these traditions, February 29 is also called Bachelors’ Day in some places.
Valentine's Day
February 14th
February 14th
Need a little help before the 29th? The Valentine’s Day tradition encourages people of openly express their love for each other –with gifts, flowers, or chocolates, and often all three.
Thanks to tradition, we have Cupid, the son of Mercury and the Roman god of love, (like Eros, the Greek god of love) who fell in love with Psych, who eventually became a goddess. He is thought of as the god of love, attraction and affection.
Because of this, he has been attributed the power to inspire love and passion. By shooting people with his golden tipped arrow, he can make people fall in love with each other, and therefore is a symbol of love on Valentine’s Day.
According to Ovid, and previously unknown to me, Cupid also has another arrow that can make people fall out of love or even not love others. Thankfully, we don’t hear or see much of that on Valentine’s Day.
Self Care + Love + Hygge = Happiness
Let February be a month of improving our emotional and mental well-being. We can learn a lot from the Danish concept of hygge.
The word hygge (pronounced “hooga”) was added to the Oxford English Dictionary in 2017 as the world welcomed and promoted the concept through articles, books and media.
Denmark ranks among the world's happiest countries, and many say that hygge, the quality of being warm and comfortable that gives a feeling of happiness, deserves some of the credit. Due to the long winters, and time spent indoors it is believed that hygge evolved and became a way of life.
The word hygge (pronounced “hooga”) was added to the Oxford English Dictionary in 2017 as the world welcomed and promoted the concept through articles, books and media.
Denmark ranks among the world's happiest countries, and many say that hygge, the quality of being warm and comfortable that gives a feeling of happiness, deserves some of the credit. Due to the long winters, and time spent indoors it is believed that hygge evolved and became a way of life.
The focus is to step away from the daily rush and spend time with people you care about, enjoying quiet time, sharing a meal, a drink, or simple pleasures. It is an opportunity to unwind, celebrate the small joys of life, and share experiences, with no set agenda.
Hygge reflects the values of Danish society: equality and the well-being of everybody. A spirit of consensus is favoured. Hygge is present in products and popular culture. Here’s how you can incorporate hygge in your gift.
Embrace hygge in your February celebrations. Remember... love is in the air!
All the Best,
