FEBRURARY - MAGH
February. A time when the chill of winter loosens its grip in the Northern Hemisphere, while the heat intensifies in the south. February may be shorter in days, but it doesn’t lack depth. It’s a transition. A shift. A month that sits between the last breaths of winter and the early whispers of spring. For some, it’s still snow-coated mornings and icy streets. For others, it’s hot afternoons and the occasional monsoon rain. Two halves of the world, moving at different rhythms.
In the north, people cling to their scarves and boots. But they start to dream of spring blooms and warmer days. Icicles melt away. Drip by drip. The sun gains strength. It’s a time of in-between, where some days surprise with a burst of warmth, while others remind you that winter isn’t done just yet. Meanwhile, in the southern hemisphere, February means late summer. The days are still long, but there’s a sense that the heat has peaked. A subtle shift, as people anticipate the cooling breezes of autumn.
But February isn’t just about the weather - it’s about the heartbeat of the year picking up pace. A time when those January resolutions either solidify or fade away. New habits find their footing, or they slip through our fingers. And then there are those who find beauty in February’s slower days, who appreciate the last stretch of winter or the lingering warmth of summer. It’s a moment to pause, to appreciate each day, even though the year is still young.
In Punjab, February falls during Magh - a time when the land begins to shift. The fog that shrouded the fields during Poh starts to lift, giving way to clear, crisp mornings. The cold has mellowed, but the air still holds a bite. Farmers watch their fields with careful eyes, knowing that Magh holds the promise of spring and the labour that comes with it.
The landscape changes in Magh. The wheat fields grow taller, swaying gently in the breeze that sweeps across the plains. Mustard flowers begin to bloom - fields transform into seas of yellow, stretching as far as the eye can see. It’s a sight that fills the farmer’s heart with hope, a burst of colour against the muted tones of winter. The days are longer, warmer. But the nights still hold onto their chill, wrapping the land in a blanket of cool air.
Rural farmhouses, warmed by the angeethi, stand as a reminder of the past months’ chill, but the mood shifts. Farmers begin preparing for the coming harvest, for warmer days ahead. Cities, too, shed a layer of winter’s harshness, as people find themselves drawn outdoors - sitting on balconies and rooftops, visiting markets, feeling the sunlight on their faces.
Magh is a month of balance. A time of both rest and preparation. The farmers continue their watch, ensuring that the wheat ripens steadily, that the cattle are well-fed and healthy. The barns are quieter now, the animals more settled, but the work doesn’t stop. Every task holds a purpose - each small act contributing to the cycle that has sustained life for centuries.
The air in Magh is lighter, carrying the sweet scent of blossoms and freshly turned earth. There’s a sense of anticipation, a quiet hum beneath the surface. The land may seem still, but there is life pulsing just beneath - a preparation for the growth that spring will bring. The trees, stripped bare for months, begin to show the first hints of new leaves. The rivers run clearer, as glaciers begin to melt, and reflect the blue of the sky.
As the sun sets behind the fields, casting long shadows across the land, Magh leaves its mark on those who observe it. It’s a time of transition, of looking forward while honouring the past. Of trusting in the work that’s been done, and knowing that soon, the Punjabi fields will come alive once more. It’s a month that reminds us to be patient, to watch for the subtle changes, to appreciate the quiet moments that carry us forward.
In Magh, the promise of spring lingers in every sunset, in every breeze that stirs the fields. It’s a month that whispers of new beginnings yet to come, even as we savour the final stretch of winter’s embrace. And as February ends, Magh prepares to hand over the reins to Phagan, bringing with it a sense of renewal, of hope, and of the promise that every season holds.
A depiction of Punjab in the month of Magh.
As the days grow brighter in Magh, may hope and new energy fill your heart. With optimism, Trish Saab