Sunday, 20 February 2011

February Miscellany


To my mind there is something modest about February, not a month given to ostentatious display of any kind. It is shorter and therefore of lesser stature than other months. February is less cold and dark and forbidding than January and often milder than March in these parts. There are tentative signs of Spring, but these will easily be nipped in the bud by icy March winds. February is a wait-and-see month, even Carnival and Lent don't have their own firmly established place in the order of things, instead they depend on he good graces of Easter.

Still, even in-between months have their good points, there are crocuses, hellebores and the first unforced shoots of rhubarb in the garden.


Crocuses after rain



an almost black hellebore bud opening




the first rhubarb leaf unfurling




In February the Sun enters the House of Pisces.  The 'Kalendar of Shepheardes' of 1604 has this to say about Pisceans:

The man born under Pisces shall be a great goer, a fornicator, a mocker and covetous; he will say one thing and do another. He shall trust in his sapience, he shall have good fortune; he will be a defender of widows and orphans. He shall be fearful on water; he shall soon pass all adversities and live seventy-two years after nature.

The woman shall be delicious, familiar in jests, pleasant of courage, fervent, a great drinker. She shall have sickness of her eyes and be sorrowful by shame, needlessly. Her husband will leave her, and she shall have much trouble with strangers. She shall travel much, have pain in her stomach, and live seventy-seven years.

Both man and woman shall live faithfully.

Don't say you weren't warned!



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32 comments:

  1. Kay L. Davies20 February 2011 at 00:40

    Oh my goodness, I'm glad I wasn't born in Pisces in the 1600s. Although I see women were living longer than men even then.
    Beautiful February photos, Friko. Wonderful colours.
    -- K

    Kay, Alberta, Canada
    An Unfittie's Guide to Adventurous Travel

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  2. Unknown20 February 2011 at 01:49

    We will have to wait a bit longer to see some of the signs of spring here, but in the end February feels all about anticipation and hope and mornings of here we go.

    I look forward to your photos , Friko, as I am a lover of all things garden.

    ( I used to have a second blog called Green Acres , the name of my now retired from garden maintenance business )

    and what you said , about learning , being new. I feel the same. I absolutely do. About so many things.

    I think as long as I can sit at the feet of things , of people, of the mysteries of life... well I am happy.

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  3. Pat - Arkansas20 February 2011 at 02:12

    Marvelous photographs, all! I've never before seen an emerging rhubarb leaf; it is beautiful, and so rich in color. Thanks.

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  4. Lynilu20 February 2011 at 02:20

    My daughter is Pisces. I think I won't share this with her! ;D

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  5. ellen abbott20 February 2011 at 02:53

    no crocus for me but the daffodils are about to burst open. buds shooting up. I love to see things emerge.

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  6. Kay Dennison20 February 2011 at 03:10

    I'm an Aries with Pisces rising. It probably means that I need to get ready to beat my head against the wall again come April!!! lol

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  7. Brian Miller20 February 2011 at 04:46

    we have had a few gorgeous days...its lulling me in...i hope winter does not bite me...

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  8. nazelet20 February 2011 at 05:58

    I've always thought of February as the coldest month of the year. I suppose because of the places I've lived. Your post has given me to think more deeply about this the shortest month of the year. Now I'm understanding her vulnerability among her eleven siblings. Tenderness is what she craves. After all, she brings forth beginnings from Mother Earth; little beauties peeking out at us with their promise of scent and beauty.
    I have never heard about Hellebore before seeing your wonderful photo. Fascinating how our perception can shift and allow us to recognize and honor everything around us.
    I thank you for your gift.

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  9. Pondside20 February 2011 at 06:10

    February, here in the Pacific Northwest brings the first taste of spring, much like where you are, I think. In other parts of Canada February is deepest winter - skating on the canal in Ottawa, skiing and other winter sports elsewhere.

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  10. Anonymous20 February 2011 at 07:48

    Gosh we are slower than you down here in London!

    I am bang smack in the middle of Pisces (St. Davids Day) - now I am really worried!

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  11. DJan20 February 2011 at 11:10

    I just love that rhubarb leaf unfurling. Oh, and the crocuses. What a great bunch of pictures, not to mention plenty of information about the Piscean animal! :-)

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  12. marciamayo20 February 2011 at 12:04

    We too have warm days in February and flowers showing their pretty faces. March often nips them off though.

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  13. Martin20 February 2011 at 16:41

    Some Piscean fellas have all the luck!

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  14. Cait O'Connor20 February 2011 at 20:01

    Lovely pics.
    I usually hate February but in spite of my having a head cold, the month seems to be flying by. Flowers lift our spirits don't they?

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  15. Pat20 February 2011 at 22:05

    Well, Friko - Being a Pisces certainly has its moments!! That 1600's profile fits some of me, though I have never been called a "great drinker."
    A glass of wine is nice!
    We are in the midst of a February snow storm today, so your beautiful purple crocus image is much appreciated.

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  16. Unknown21 February 2011 at 00:08

    Hi dear Friko. The photos are gorgeous, of course. The second is amazing. February has not been good to us. But it is moving and all the beautiful things underneath are happening. I been checking. Blessings sista.
    QMM

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  17. Susan Scheid (Raining Acorns)21 February 2011 at 02:32

    Gorgeous photos of the beginnings of spring. I just missed being born in February. Looks like a lucky escape!

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  18. Chancy21 February 2011 at 03:05

    I always think of February as a month that cannot make up its mind. At least around here in Atlanta Ga. Warm one week and then winter again the next.

    Full of tricks.

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  19. Kerry21 February 2011 at 03:11

    Rhubarb. You have rhubarb, and isn't it perfectly gorgeous? I can't wait for the rhubarb to appear here.
    I am curious about how Librans were described in 1604; it has to be better than Pisces!

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  20. Cloudia21 February 2011 at 03:18

    Rhubarb REVELATION Friko!

    Aloha from Honolulu

    Comfort Spiral

    ><}}(°>

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  21. Carolina21 February 2011 at 12:10

    Oh dear, hubs and my sister are Pisces. Hmm. Glad I'm not. Although, I don't know what the 'Kalendar of Shepheardes' of 1604 says about Gemini. Perhaps google knows ;-)

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  22. jabblog21 February 2011 at 13:23

    Your crocuses are splendid and the hellebore bud looks so rich. My crocuses are rather spindly and I haven't looked at the hellebores. Aren't rhubarb leaves pretty?

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  23. Deborah21 February 2011 at 17:00

    What an extraordinary rhubarb leaf! I'm sure Canadian ones don't look like that - they're blue with cold.

    Nice tribute to February, Friko. I wish I had your head for ideas.

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  24. Fran Hill21 February 2011 at 19:09

    I know what you mean about the 'wait-and-see' feel of February. It's just like that.

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  25. Vicki Lane21 February 2011 at 19:46

    Such wonderful pictures! I like less what Whoeveritwas had to say about Pisces...

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  26. Margaret Pangert21 February 2011 at 23:03

    omg, Friko! Your photos are exquisite! Who will ever say February is dull again?! (Especially after reading the connection with Pisces ;) ) me

    http://margaretpanpipes.blogspot.com

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  27. Reflections21 February 2011 at 23:47

    Fabulous photos catching wee glimpses of spring, coming forth for the shortened moments left in February.

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  28. Lloyd22 February 2011 at 02:46

    Your photos are great. I loved it.
    Very artistic.

    About zodiac, im glad im not a pisces. Well, everyone has its own unique destiny.

    Thanks for this post Friko.


    Seattle Real Estate | Office 2010

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  29. Elizabeth Musgrave23 February 2011 at 21:13

    Your pictures and your words are perfect for me today Friko. Thank you.

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  30. Karen (formerly kcinnova)1 March 2011 at 19:38

    Oh, those purple crocuses! Nothing has come up yet here, but I see greenery of bulbs poking through the soil.

    Mmmmmm.... rhubarb!

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  31. Sally Wessely5 March 2011 at 21:22

    Oh goodness, I was born on the last day of February on a year when there was not a leap year. I loved your photos and words about February until I read my fate. I guess I have been warned.

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  32. Ed Pilolla1 March 2012 at 18:38

    as a pisces about to hit a major birthday, thanks for this nice gift:)
    and i've never seen a rhubarb leaf unfolding like that. neat!

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