Lore and Activities for March

March -- Mars' month

Middle English March(e)
Anglo-French March(e)
Old English Martius
Latin Martius "of Mars"
Latin Marti(s) "Mars" + -us (adj. suffix)
Latin Martius mensis "month of Mars"

Until ~700BC March was the start of the year and the beginning of the war season.
Martius has always had 31 days.

Mars is the Roman god of war. He is identified with the Greek god Ares. Mars was the son of Juno and Jupiter and second only to his father in importance for Roman soldiers.

Many of Mars' festivals included dances performed by the Salii or "leaping priests" who were young men clad like Latin warriors. These festivals were mainly carried out during the first month of the Roman Calendar: Mars (March). The dancers not only called upon Mars but also Saturn, the God of sowing to expel all the evil spirits who had entered the city during the winter. The 'leaping' in the dances was to stimulate growth.

Spring Festivals in Honour of Mars
There were several spring festivals in honour of this Roman god.

• March 1st - The Feriae Marti celebrations. This festival lasted throughout most of the month with repeated rituals conducted by the "leaping priests" until the 24th March.
• March 9th and 24th - As with on the first day of the month, the "leaping Priests" leapt their way through Rome, performing complicated ritual dances and chants at certain points en-route. After these rituals, the priests would retire to enjoy a feast of fairly luxurious standards.
• February 27th and March 14th - the Equirria festival during which horse races were held.
• March 19th - the Quinquatrus: this festival was sacred to Minerva, during which, women would consult fortune-tellers and diviners. The festival which lasted four days would culminate in the hunting of wild beasts, an exhibition of plays and contests of orators and poets.
• March 23rd the Tubilustrium at which festival, weapons and war trumpets were cleansed.
• March 16th - 24th - Fast days
• March 25th - the Hilaria or "Festival of Joy" when the Romans broke their fast for the Festival of Joy.

Born in March?

Birthstone: Aquamarine
Flower: Daffodil, Hyacinth, Cherry Blossom
Tropical Zodiac: Pisces (February 19 to March 20) and Aries (March 21 to April 19)
Sidereal Zodiac: Aquarius (February 13 to March 14) and Pisces (March 15 to April 13)


Other Events in March

*St. Patrick’s Day March 17th (Christian celebration of the patron saint of Ireland)
*Hanami (Japanese celebration of viewing the cherry blossoms)
*Ostara (Spring Equinox March 20th - Pagan celebration of the Ukrainian Spring Goddess, Oestre)


What you can do in March!

Start in indoor garden. Get small starter pots, fresh earth and seeds. Plant your wishes and see them grow!! Grow herbs that meet your needs: lavender for tranquility, chamomile for calm, mint for money, chives for strength and endurance.

Start dancing lessons, like Irish or Scottish dancing.
- Bernadette Short School of Irish Dancing Montreal
- Montreal Highland Dancing Association

Celebrate Minerva between March 19 and 22 by seeing a clairvoyant. We host three within the store: Catharine, Samara, and Rina. Call to make an appointment (514-938-1458).

Attend the Atwater Poetry Project’s next readings on Thursday, March 11th at 7:00 pm. Readings by: Anne Compton and James Langer. (http://www.atwaterlibrary.ca/en/node/28)


Discover Québec’s oral heritage through this special activity presented as part of the Discovering Legends with Jean-Claude Dupont exhibition. In the Museum’s archaeological remains, storyteller Eric Michaud will share Québec legends, and historian Jacques Lacoursière will explain their origins. Sunday, March 21, 2 p.m.
http://www.pacmusee.qc.ca/pages/Expositions/temporaires/a_venir.aspx?lang=EN-CA

Attend the St. Patrick’s Day parade in downtown Montreal on Sunday March 14th starting at Atwater Street around 11:00am.

Start your egg decorating!


INFORMATION RESOURCES
http://www.crowl.org/Lawrence/time/months.html#March
http://words.inpurespirit.com/22/the-meaning-of-march/
http://www.bukisa.com/articles/135717_mars-mythology-and-astrology-and-festivals-associated-with-mars