February illustrated almanac
the fight of light over darkness
This is an illustrated digital almanac of the internal emotional climate, as influenced by the external natural and astronomical events. I wanted to capture visually the shared experience of how it feels to be alive as a tiny human, enveloped in the greater cyclical movement of this planet, throughout one calendar year. Welcome to February!
February’s zodiac sun is in Aquarius
Aquarians are such visionaries, they sometimes feel like they were born a generation too early. They have the ability to understand the Zeitgeist and can grasp what will matter in the future. They also tend to think beyond themselves and can recognise what is right for the group, making them progressive souls and oftentimes fighters for social causes.
I think the vibes translate to this time of the year as the moment of when our plans and goals leave the dreamy state of January and start actualising in the physical reality, also involving other people and parts of the world we live in.
Rooting, but no sprouts yet
How does February feel? I feel like this month is when the year has grew some roots. The dark stillness and hermit-like vibe in the Northern hemisphere is coming to an end, and we’re peeking out in hope of some sun and to see what the world is up to.
The moment between winter and spring
The halfway point between Winter Solstice and Spring Equinox is called Imbolc. This festival celebrates conception: the moment when life is created but before it births. Although not much is seen above ground, below it life is slowly starting to stirr. In the Northern hemisphere, this event falls on 31.1.-2.1. and in the Southern hemisphere on 31.7.-01.8.
The festivities of Carnival
Festive season that was set up to have fun & eat all the meat before the traditional fasting time, which occurs as means of purification and spiritual process to (generally speaking) overcome darkness and invite the return of the light. Called Lent in Christianity, it is an important tradition before Easter, but has existed before it and is present all around the world. The name of the month itself comes from the word februa, meaning cleanings or purification.
Lunar New Year
The beginning of a new year falls on the first or second new moon of the lunar and lunisolar calendars, used in many Asian countries. The event is celebrated by billions of people at various dates sometime between the end of January - beginning of February. While the names and celebrations vary among cultures, they are generally marking the end of winter and inviting in luck and prosperity for the upcoming year.
