New moon: In Aquarius, Feb. 13
Full moon: In Virgo, Feb. 28
Visible planets: Canis Major, the Great Dog, is visible in the northern hemisphere through March; Columba, which takes the shape of a dove, can be seen in northern latitudes.
Astrological sign: Aquarius, Jan. 20 to Feb. 18; Pisces, Feb. 19 to March 20
Gem stone: Amethyst
Flower: Violet
Harvard history snippet:
“Camp Devens, later to be named Fort Devens, was used extensively during the few years of the war, but with the coming of peace, the facility was partially deactivated. The southern section of the post, including some of the Harvard portion, continued to be used for occasional National Guard training, especially artillery practice. But the Army’s need for the land was not great, and a few of the residents were allowed to remain in their homes and conitnue to live much as they had before the military came. In 1920 Harvard voted to discontinue all town roads within the limits of Camp Devens, even though some Harvard citizens remained there.”
—from Directions of a Town, by Robert C. Anderson (1976)
Household tips:
- Use white vinegar as the rinse agent in your dishwasher, instead of the commercial variety. It does the job just as well, and contains no harsh chemicals.
- A paper plate glued to the bottom of a paint can will help catch drips.
- To remove melted wax from a candleholder, place the candleholder in the freezer for about 20 minutes. The wax will pop right off.
Going green:
- It’s a no-brainer, but often forgotten about: turn off the lights when you leave a room.
- Consider making your own personal care products, such as lip balm and body powder, to reduce the use of packing and to create healthy alternatives to commercial products..
What to do in the garden:
- Prune dormant fruiting plants, such as raspberries, blueberries, fruit trees, and grapes.
- Place seed orders..
Thought for the month:
“The February sunshine steeps your boughs and tints the buds and swells the leaves within.”
—William C. Bryant, American poet (1794–1878)
Do you have an almanac tidbit you’d like to share? E-mail to editor@harvardpress.com.