Everyone knows that every four years we add one day to February to keep our calendar days consistent.
We do.
Really.
I checked.
I Googled it.
Via Wikipedia, “February 29, also known as Leap Day is a date added to most years that are divisible by 4. A leap day is added in various solar calendars (calendars based on the Earth's rotation around the Sun), including the Gregorian calendar standard in most of the world.
In the Gregorian calendar, years that are divisible by 100, but not by 400, do not contain a leap day. Thus, 1700, 1800, and 1900 did not contain a leap day; neither will 2100, 2200, and 2300. Conversely, 1600, 2000 did and 2400 will. Years containing a leap day are called leap years. February 29 is the 60th day of the Gregorian calendar in such a year.
A leap day is observed because a complete revolution around the Sun takes approximately 6 hours longer than 365 days (8,760 hours). A leap day compensates for this lag, realigning the calendar with the Earth's position in the Solar System; otherwise, seasons would occur earlier than intended in the calendar year. Originally, the Julian calendar added a leap day every four years, but this turned out to add too many days, making the equinoxes and solstices shift gradually to earlier dates. As the shifting became noticeable (by the late 16th century the vernal equinox had drifted to March 11) the Gregorian calendar was introduced both to shift it back by omitting several days, and to reduce the number of leap years via the "century rule" to keep the equinoxes more or less fixed.”
See! I told you. Science is awesome.
But what of this magical extra day? What are we to do with ourselves?
Well, in 1892 the city of St. Petersburg, Florida was incorporated. In 1916, South Carolina raised the age for factory, mill, and mine workers from 12 to 14, same day that actress and singer Dinah Shore was born. In 1940, Hattie McDaniel became the first African American to win an Academy Award for her portrayal of Mammy in Gone with the Wind. In 1980, hockey player Gordie Howe scored his 800th goal. In 2012, singer Davy Jones from the Monkees passed away.
I know…
“Hey lady, you’re a freakin witch so what is your point?”
I was getting to that.
Two things.
The first warrants of the Salem witch trials were issued on February 29, 1692. The trials continued until early 1693 and resulted in the execution of 20 people and the death of seven others in jail. So there is that. Please do not attempt to execute me.
But the other thing… Now here is something.
An old Irish tale.
Remember St. Brigid? I mentioned her at
Imbolc. Well, legend has it she struck a deal with St. Patrick, the patron Saint of Ireland so that on this day, Leap Day, it would be permissible to for women to propose marriage to men. Also known as Bachelor’s Day, women could initiate dances and propose marriage on this day. In some parts of the UK it is permissible for the whole Leap Year. And men who refused this proposal were obliged to buy the women an expensive gift, a silk dress or a fur coat perhaps. Although now it might be
Coach Purse or a pair of
Christian Louboutin shoes. In some other areas of the UK if a man refused the proposal he had to buy the lady gloves. This would be to hide the shame of not being married. There were even laws governing this in the Middle Ages. It was believed to balance the traditional roles of men and women, the way Leap Day balances the calendar.
So go on ladies, get down on one knee and nab that dreamboat.
Or at least get something nice for yourself out of it.
Although in Greece it is considered unlucky to marry during a leap year, especially on a leap day. So propose and start planning that wedding for next year.
