Februarius, the month of purification and renewal, is dedicated to honoring the dead, cleansing the faithful, and remembering the sacrifices that have paved the Imperium’s path. It is a solemn and introspective time, with ceremonies aimed at spiritual and physical purification.
1st Day:
Dies Natalis Templum Juno Sospita
- Dedicated to The Hall of Judgement, a revered symbol of protection and vigilance on Terra. Rites involve blessings of those charged with safeguarding Imperial citizens, including Arbites precincts and planetary defense forces.
5th Day:
Dies Concordiae (Day of Unity)
- Celebrates the founding of the post Great Crusade temples, a symbol of unity among the Imperium’s disparate worlds. On this day, governors and commanders reaffirm their oaths of loyalty to the Throne under supervision of ecclesiarchy , and disputes between factions are ceremonially resolved.
13th–22nd Days:
Parentalia (The Days of the Honored Dead)
- A ten-day period dedicated to venerating ancestors, local saints, and martyrs. Ceremonies begin with the Parentatio on the 13th day, during which the Manes (spirits of the departed faithful) are appeased. The faithful light candles at tombs, and temples host processions for the honored dead.
15th Day:
Lupercalia Ferox (Festival of Cleansing)
- A day of symbolic purification, honoring the Emperor’s ability to drive out corruption and taint. In feral worlds and frontier colonies, warriors reenact hunts for heretics and mutants, symbolically “cleansing” the Imperium of impurity.
17th Day:
Quirinalia Sanctus (Day of the Uplifted Saint)
- Honors Saint Quirinus, a martyr who inspired an entire agri-world to rise against its heretical overlords. Farmers and workers conduct purification rites on tools and fields, ensuring their work remains blessed by the Emperor’s light.
21st Day:
Feralia (Rites of the Fallen)
- The culmination of Parentalia, marked by public ceremonies aimed at appeasing the di inferi (spirits of the honored dead). Priests lead night time rites with solemn chants, asking for the guidance of saints and martyrs in the year ahead.
22nd Day:
Caristia Cognatio (Day of Forgiveness)
- A family-focused celebration of unity and forgiveness among the faithful. Feasting and shared prayer reinforce bonds between kin, with a reminder that strength lies in unity under the Emperor’s light.
23rd Day:
Terminalia of Terra (Day of the Frontier)
- A day to honor Terminus, the protector of Imperial boundaries. Celebrated by colonists and frontier explorers, it includes prayers for safe passage and blessings of voidships.
Significance of Februarius
Februarius is a time to reflect on the sacrifices of the past and purify oneself for the trials ahead. Through the cleansing of faith and veneration of the dead, the Imperium reinforces its unbreakable bond with its history and the Emperor’s eternal protection.
Ignis Aeternus WH 40K campaign notes 