The month of March is the 3rd month of the Julian and Gregorian Calendars but was originally the first month of the Roman calendar year, called Martius named for Mars, one of the most important Gods of the Roman state.
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Other Names for the Month of March
Anglo Saxon – Hlyd Monath “stormy month” or Hraed Monath “rugged month”
March Folklore and Traditions
| Folklore/Tradition | Description |
|---|---|
| St. Patrick’s Day | Celebrating Irish heritage and St. Patrick |
| Women’s History Month | Honoring and celebrating women’s contributions |
| March Hares | Folklore surrounding hares during the mating season |
| Shamrocks and Luck | Symbolism of shamrocks and luck |
| Marching Bands | Traditional parades and events with marching bands |
Symbols of March
- Stone: Bloodstone
- Flower: Jonquil or Narcissus, Shamrock
- Animals: Hare or rabbit, Lamb, Lion
The Sky in March
The Sun is in the sign of Pisces at the start of March and enters Aries on the 20th, 21st or 22nd. The New moon in March will be in Pisces if it occurs before the sun moves into Aries, and in Aries after. In 2020, this new moon occurs the 24th at 9:29am, GMT.
The full moon in March may be called the Storm Moon, the Worm Moon, the Full Crust Moon, The Full Crow Moon, The Lenten Moon or the Sap Moon. In the Northeastern parts of North America, it is Maple Sugar season!
The full moon will be in the sign of Virgo in the first part of the month, or in the sign of Libra if it occurs in the latter part of the month. In 2020, this full moon occurs on the 9th at 5:48pm, GMT.
Weather Lore
When March comes in like a lion, it goes out like a lamb
(But Leo rises in the East when March begins and Aries sets in the West as it ends.)
So many mists in March you see, So many frosts in May will be.
A wet March, a wet spring
As it rains in March, so it shall in June
A dry March and a wet May fill the barns with corn and hay.
Notable Days in March
- Hilaria
- Anna Perenna March 15th
- Mamuralia March 14th or 15th
- Saint Patrick’s Day March 17th
- Ostara/Eostre/Vernal Equinox – March 20th, 21st or 22nd
- Lady Day – March 25
- The Ides of March – March 15th, the date of the assassination of Julius Caesar in 44BC and considered an unlucky day by many
- The Borrowing Days – March 28, 29, 30
March borrowit from April
Three days, and they were ill:
The first was frost, the second was snaw,
The third was cauld as ever’t could blaw.
–Scottish proverb
