Leap year, all the disasters related to February 29: from Julius Caesar to the coronavirus

Here it is, on February 29th. The extra day that occurs every four years with its ballast of superstitions and fears. This year falls on Saturday and faces a hostage world of the Coronavirus, prey to the fear of global contagion. A coincidence, of course – we are not superstitious – which however reinforces the belief that the leap year is the bearer of all kinds of bad luck. February 29 is the very essence of the leap year: it is the day introduced in order to balance the six hours that advance each year. Read also: From Nostradamus to Mussolini, all the prophecies about the coronavirus It was wanted by Julius Caesar who asked, on Cleopatra’s advice, for advice to the astronomer Sosigene of Alexandria. He invited the emperor to include in his calendar one more day every four years immediately after February 24 which was the sexto die ante Calendas Martias, the sixth day before the March calendars. That day it became the bis sexto die (hence the leap term). For the ancient Romans, February was the month of rites dedicated to the dead, the one in which the Terminalia dedicated to Termine, god of the Borders, and the Equirias, races that celebrated the conclusion of a cosmic cycle took place. Events that are anything but happy and hence the idea that the leap year is a harbinger of misfortune. Many proverbs reinforce the idea that longer years are also the most exposed to the whims of the case and advise against starting businesses and even joining in marriage (When the year comes bisesto do not put bugs and do not make a nesto; year that bisesta does not marry and does not graft). There are even more tragic sayings such as: sad year, fatal year; leap who cries and who screams; and even a sad year that passes soon. Idioms that make you want to close your eyes and wake up in four years. THE PAST Going back in time it turns out that: in a leap year, 1908, the earthquake destroyed Messina; in 1968 the earth shook in Belice; in 1976 in Friuli and in 1980 in Irpinia; in 2004 the tsunami devastated Southeast Asia. By 2012 the Mayans had even predicted the end of the world, obviously it went well. 2016 was marred by the attacks in Brussels, Orlando and Nice, followed by the earthquake in central Italy. But those who believe in these coincidences forget all the disasters – both natural and caused by men – with which the newspapers and news programs are full every day of each year. Just think of the 2009 Eagle earthquake, the attack on the Twin Towers of 2001, not to mention the outbreak of World War II. And for 2020? “The great plague in the maritime city will not end before death will be avenged for the right blood for innocent condemned prisoner, for the great lady for simulated outrage,” wrote Nostradamus in the 2:53 centurian of his book of prophecies. For many, the “great plague” the astrologer talks about would be the Coronavirus epidemic. It does not matter that the clairvoyant indicates a seaside town. Here is the explanation: Wuhan is not wet by the waters but one of the circulating hypotheses is that the virus has found its starting point in the fish market of the Chinese city. The prediction is so vague that, if you want, a connection with the virus is always found. Nostradamus for 2020 has made four other predictions: considering that we are only at the beginning of this leap year, here is what we can expect. Britain should have a new king, but the clairvoyant does not specify whether Elizabeth dies or voluntarily gives up the scepter. In North Korea, a change of power should occur and Russia should play a leading role in this revolution. Finally, a devastating earthquake in California should also arrive. Let’s do everything, forget Nostradamus and embrace the Northern European idea that leap years bring prosperity and luck. In Anglo-Saxon countries, February 29 is the only day when women are able to ask the boyfriend for his hand and not vice versa as tradition dictates. It was Saint Patrick who granted this honor to the ladies after the pressure of Santa Brigida. If a man receives a proposal on February 29, he is stuck: he must necessarily say yes. This obligation is due to Queen Margaret of Scotland who, in the thirteenth century, imposed a very high tax on boyfriends who refused the February 29 proposal. Even today, in some North European countries, males who reject a girl on a leap day must compensate her by giving her clothes. And who was born on February 29th? Legend has it that he’s lucky. Maybe because instead of falling back on February 28th or March 1st, he can choose to celebrate his birthday every four years. And hide his real age. by Lucia Esposito