February’s flower is without doubt the Snowdrop. Its folk names include Fair Maid of February and Candlemas Bells. They are not native to Ireland, or indeed Britain, having been imported from Alpine regions far to the South. They took well to the Northern climate and were grown around monasteries and in church yards, giving them an unfortunate connection with death and mourning.
However, to many, these delicate looking flowers signify hope and the start of spring. Blooming at the start of February, in time for Imbolc by the old ways or Candlemas in the Christian tradition, when statues of the Virgin Mary were, and still are, removed and Candlemas Bells put in her place. Thus, connecting them to both the Goddess Brigid and the Virgin Mother.
There are many folktales about this pretty little flower. Snowdrop was the original name of Grimm’s Snow White and one folk tale tells that it was the flower which gave snow it’s colour. No other flower would gift it theirs, but the tiny snowdrop scrapped off some of her white and gave it to the snow. Ever since it has been the only flower permitted to bloom untouched by frost.
Another folk tale of the Snowdrop tells of its wintery origin, growing from the blood spilt in a battle between winter and spring. Spring was the victor and ever since snowdrops have grown to signal the start of her reign.
Whilst the snowdrop has escaped the church yard and become wild across much of Britain, here in Ireland it is still largely a cultivated flower. This has not stopped us however, from naturalising some superstitions about it.
It is said to be unlucky to pick only one flower, as it’s solitary shrouded, bowed head represents mourning and will bring death, so always pick a bunch. And should a woman wish to marry within the year she should not pick snowdrops before Valentine’s Day.
There is little in the way of herbal use for Snowdrops except an obscure reference to them curing frostbite. However, scientists are now exploring their use in the treatment of Alzheimer’s.
Last night, as you receive this, the slender crescent moon rose in the South-Western sky. It is this moon our ancestors would have counted as New and so below is my brief offering for this month’s Writing Down the Weeds. It is, of course, inspired by Snowdrops. It is of winter and spring, grief and hope. It is Snow White in the woods. It is of a mother and a fatherless child. It is the mother of the year and the fledgeling sun tended well. It is of mothering and milk, dark winter soil, long nights and lengthening light. It is of those pale little flowers and all they signify. I hope you enjoy it.
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