Leap Year and the Celts

It is a Leap Year and we are coming up upon February 29, that day that once every four years reminds us that we get out of synch with the natural cycle of the sun and moon. The Romans imposed a “more orderly” calendar on peoples like the Celts who followed the moon cycles. They changed the 13-month lunar calendar to a 12 month calendar. Called the Julian Calendar (for guess who) it had to add an additional day every fourth year to balance out. Eventually, it was realized the calculations were off. The Gregorian Calendar was instituted with every fourth year--- unless it was divisible by 100. Those that now know how to calculate all this more precisely  tell us in the distant future this remedy also will fail to keep us synchronized with the sun. But let’s not get into the weeds about the details.

There is some fun to be had in thinking about how to celebrate Leap Year on Leap Day February 29. An old Celtic legend gives women permission to propose marriage on this day. It gave rise in the USA of Sadie Hawkin’s Day Dances for my parents’ generation. (Sadie I understand was a character in the comic strip Li’l Abner ) There even is a 2010 movie “Leap Year” with Amy Adams playing a style conscious contemporary American woman dashing to Ireland to propose to her guy on February 29. The locals of the West of Ireland are too stereotyped, but the scenery is wonderful. If you like Hallmark Channel movies and aren’t busy with preparing a real proposal, you might enjoy watching.

But, back to my point that “man”, particularly through the Roman Church, took time-telling away from the sun and moon and stars. I see this as a sign of modern disconnection with Mother Nature and believe it is part of what has led us to the climate crisis we face. We have no right to think we have dominion over Nature. And the disregard, if not outright purposeful diminishment, of the Divine Feminine has us out of balance in many ways.

So I think it is ironic that a part of Leap Year is the idea that women can ask men for their hand in marriage on February 29. Righting the balance? Legend has it that the practice was begun by St. Patrick. There is evidence it began in Ireland and was taken to Scotland where it actually became law. In fact, a man was fined if he refused on February 29 to marry the woman who proposed. The fine was small, often a pair of gloves, but it actually was officially levied!

Some legends say that St. Brigid asked St. Patrick for his hand in marriage. But, another legend has her blinding herself to avoid marriage and to dedicate herself to God. Although male and female religious could marry in those days, these two never did and certainly not to one another. You may add this to your trivia knowledge. 

The little village of Leap in West Cork very new Drombeg Stone Circle is mentioned in my book Amidst the Stones. I asked if it was connected to Leap Year legends. Instead it refers to a young soldier leaping over the gorge to escape those chasing him. Hmm. 

The internationally acclaimed match-making town in Ireland remains Lisdoonvarna, in County Clare. See Snapshots for a description and I will write and video more about both places from Ireland this May.