February

  "The word February is believed to have derived from the name 'Februa' taken from the Roman 'Festival of Purification'. The root ‘februo’ meaning to ‘I purify by sacrifice’.

"Favourable colours to improve personal healing are amethyst, white and blue-violet (the colour of crocus flowers). These are the colours often associated with winter whilst the delicate crocus and snowdrops, along with the scented carnation lend beauty, a glimpse of the fine weather to come in spring. The herbs and produce of the woodland too are closely connected, with nuts and cones, musk, marjoram and mimosa lending sweetness."

~ "February" by Edith Holden, from "The Country Diary Of An Edwardian Lady"

Read about the life of Edith Holden on our site: TQE Magazine: Celebrating Britishness This lovely book, by Edith Holden, was (along with its sister, "Nature Notes of an Edwardian Lady") the earliest impetus and inspiration for the nature journal I have been keeping, off and on, for many years – since 1991 or 92, in fact! Sadly, neither seems to be currently in print, but they are available used, and definitely worth picking up if you like English / British history, nature study, art and artistry, or a combination of all three!