9 Februarius, Sacred to Apollo

9 Februarius is a day sacred to Apollo, son of the goddess Leto and Zeus and twin brother to Artemis. As one of the 12 most important Roman deities, the Dii Consentes, he was the god of the sun, learning, inspiration and prophecy. As the father of Aesculapis, the god of medicine, he is also a force for healing. Perhaps one of the more well-known stories about him involves his overzealous adoration for the nymph Daphne. In an effort to escape him, and with the help of her father, she transformed into the Laurel tree. For that reason, laurels are particularly sacred to Apollo and laurel wreaths became a symbol of accomplishment in learning and music.