If legend holds true, then this week we can expect the coldest night of the year, and the sweetest dreams.
In the Christian calendar, January 21st is observed as the Feast of St. Agnes, and the eve of her feast day, January 20th, as the coldest night of the year. Agnes was a 4th century virgin martyr who is associated through legend with the romance and thrill of as-yet unconsummated love. The burning desire this can create inwardly was believed to result in the coldest time of year, outwardly.
According to this old belief, if you observe a certain number of ceremonious activities by moonlight on St. Agnes ’ Eve, then you will have a sweet dream foretelling of true love to come.
It’s like this: After the sun sets on St. Agnes Eve, around 5:30 Wednesday, you must fast until bedtime, and then, putting aside your clothes in the light of the Moon, you have to sleep facing up, with your hands tucked beneath your pillow. Then, before the ‘St. Agnes Moon’ sets at 5:51 am the next morning, Thursday, a prophetic dream will come.
The romance of this legend was beautifully captured in John Keats’ poem “The Eve of St. Agnes”. In it, Keats tells the legend of two young lovers, Madeline and Porphyro, and their enchanted escape into eternity despite the cold, a storm, and the challenge of would-be foes. Keats’ poem begins with a reference to the cold, and then builds up to a passionate, heated crescendo of love’s promise fulfilled. At the time that it was published in 1819, Keats’ publisher had to ask the 25-year old poet to tone down the sensuality of the piece!
You can find a link to the poem on the Interlochen Public Radio website, and make note, the Moon will riseWednesday afternoon January 20, St. Agnes Eve, and will set before sunrise Thursday morning, about 6 am. In between, may you know the warmth and joy of sweet dreams, filled with the promise of true love. http://www.poetryfoundation.org/poem/