Feast of St Vincent of Saragossa

Weather magic charm

Remember on St Vincent's Day
If that the sun his beams display,
Be sure to mark his transient beam
Which through the window sheds a gleam;
For 'tis a token bright and clear,
Of prosperous weather all the year.
Traditional English proverb

(Early Witlow grass, Draba verna, is today's plant, dedicated to this saint)

A deacon of Saragossa, or Zaragoza, Spain, as it in now more correctly called, Vincent was martyred c. 304 during the Emperor Diocletian’s persecution of Christians. He is patron saint of drunkards for no apparent reason. Vincent represents a Christianization of the ancient Greek sun god Apollo, whose rites were performed at this time of year to bring warmth back to the frozen land. Consequently, St Vincent and his feast day are associated with fire, just as we noted on January 20 and 21 for the Eve and Night of St Agnes.

This is just a snippet of today's stories. Read all about today in folklore, historical oddities, inspiration and alternatives, with many more links, at the Wilson's Almanac Book of Days, every day. Click today's date (or your birthday) when you're there.

Categories: saint, calendar-customs, folklore, superstition