Multifaith Holy Days & Festivals: February 2013

February 1, 2013

In the spirit of diversity and inclusion, we provide the following list of multifaith holy days & festivals realizing that it is not exhaustive.

Should you wish your faith’s days to be included, please contact the Chaplain for consideration.

Phone: 416.675.6622 ext. 4427
Email: chaplain@humber.ca

01 Friday
World Interfaith Harmony Week to February 07 (UN)
Proclaimed in Oct-Nov 2010 and started in Feb 2011 to promote interfaith dialogue and a culture and climate of peace.
February = Mkwa Geezis / Buxwlaks (Aboriginal)
Bear Moon: Mkwa Geezis is the time of the Bear Moon when the Bear turns in her den to block the doorway to the winter lodge; a time of renewal and new beginnings.
Buxwlaks is a season of blowing needles when the wind shakes loose the foliage of frozen evergreens and a New Year approaches.
Iroquois Midwinter Ceremony / Hopi Holy Cycle (Aboriginal)
Occurs in January & February. In the Iroquois Ceremony, various communities each have 8-day celebrations with each day commemorating an event. In the Hopi Cycle, various communities each hold Buffalo dances on tribal reserves.

02 Saturday
Imbolc (Wicca)
Also called Imbolg, Candlemas, Brigantia, The Feast of the Waxing Light, and Oimelc, this day celebrates the increasing strength of the God as the first and greatest gift of the Goddess and honours the Goddess as the source of fire, poetry, arts, crafts, agriculture and smithing and to reflect on the generative power of the gods for later material and spiritual harvests.
Candlemas Day (Christianity)
Re: the presentation of the baby Jesus in the Temple 40 days after his birth.
Groundhog Day (Canada)
A folk tradition in which, if a groundhog sees its shadow after coming out of its hole, there is to be six more weeks of winter.

07 Thursday
Mulk (Baha’i)
Mulk, meaning Dominion, is the 18th month of the Baha’i year.

10 Sunday
New Moon
Chinese New Year 4711 (Year of the Snake)
“Kung Hei Fat Choi” is a 3-day festival to start the Year 4711 by the lunar calendar. The Chinese decorate their homes and buy new clothes and shoes to celebrate.
Setsubun-sai (Shinto)
A family time, also called the Bean-throwing Festival, to mark winter’s end and the beginning of spring by the ancient East Asian solar calendar known in Japan. Beans are thrown into each room of the house, and then through the outer doors, with the shout, “Devils out, Fortune in!”

12 Tuesday
Shrove Tuesday (Christianity)
The day prior to Lent that focuses on one seeking forgiveness and forgiving others.

13 Wednesday
Lent to March 31 / Ash Wednesday (Christianity-Western)
A 40 day period (except Sundays) before Easter when Christians fast and sacrifice in behaviour or gifts to honour Jesus’ overcoming temptation in the wilderness. Some mark a cross on their foreheads with ashes to show sorrow and penitence.

14 Thursday
Valentine’s Day (Christianity-Western)
Includes various stories of martyrdom but mainly one of a priest named Valentine put to death in 269 A.D. for secretly marrying couples prior to Lupercalia, a fertility festival, against the orders of the Roman Emperor.
Great Prayer Festival (Buddhism)
Monks from Tibet gather to pray and hold philosophical debates.

15 Friday
Vasant Panchami (Hinduism)
Celebrated particularly in North India and one of many spring festivals, this celebration is associated with Saraswati, the Goddess of Learning, and with Lakshmi, Goddess of Wealth (celebrations may vary by community).
National Flag Day (Canada)
Commemorates the Canadian flag with a red maple leaf on a white background and 2 red bars, flown since 1965.

18 Monday
Family Day (Canada)
A day marking the importance of families is recognized in some provinces, including Ontario.
Louis Riel Day (Aboriginal Canada)
Recognizes the Metis leader who fought against the loss of Metis lands to settlers.

24 Sunday
Purim (Judaism)
Purim, the Festival/Feast of Lots, celebrates victory over an oppressive Persian ruler in the Book of Esther, which is read at this time. Costumes are worn and gifts of food are shared.

25 Monday
Full Moon

26 Sunday to March 01
Intercalary Days to Mar 01 (Baha’i)
Resets the Baha’i calendar with the solar calendar.