Ivy's Messier Marathon

I have created a new page on my website that will log the progress of my attempts to observe the objects listed in the Messier Marathon named after Charles Messier (1730 - 1817). Obviously these and other deep sky objects have been logged in other catalogues, NGC's for example. So to might things even more interesting I shall be including these as well.

February

February fill dyke

Be it black or be it white

This month derives its name from the word februare, to purify; or from Februa the Roman festival of expiation, which was celebrated through out the latter part of the month.

Herbs: Hyssop, sage

Colours: Light blue and violet.

Flowers: Primrose

Scents: Wisteria and heliotrope

Crystals: Amethyst, jasper, quartz.

Birds: Eagle

Animals: Otter

Deities: Brigit, Juno, Diana, Demeter, Persephone and Aphrodite.

Time to: Work energy towards the surface. Purification, growth and healing. Accept responsibility for past errors, forgive yourself and make future plans.

Ice Moon

So named as this is the deepest part of winter in the northern hemisphere, when the likelihood of snow and ice is much greater than other months of the year. This is a cold, dark month when spring seems a long way off, yet look closely about yourself - see the maids of February growing in your garden or along the hedgerow and woodland bottoms. Hazel catkins also start to appear towards the end of this month.