No Shadow… Spring is Near!!
It’s not gonna be difficult for me to find a subject for me to hop on today…
It’s Groundhog Day, and for the first time in a long awaited while Punxsutawney Phil is not afraid… that’s right folks, NO SHADOW!! Know what that means?
Spring is near!! Spring is near!! Oh gosh… Spring is near!!
The story of Groundhog Day begins with Candlemas, an early Christian holiday where candles were blessed and distributed. Celebrators of the holiday eventually declared clear skies on Candlemas meant a longer winter. The Roman legions, during the conquest of the northern country, brought this tradition to the Germans, who concluded that if the sun made an appearance on Candlemas Day, a hedgehog would cast a shadow, thus predicting six more weeks of bad weather or “Second Winter.” German immigrants brought the tradition to Pennsylvania, but how did Punxsutawney Phil emerge?
In 1887, a spirited group of groundhog hunters from Punxsutawney dubbed themselves “The Punxsutawney Groundhog Club.” One member was an editor of Punxsutawney’s newspaper. Using his ink, he proclaimed Punxsutawney Phil, the local groundhog, to be the one and only weather prognosticating groundhog. He issued this proclamation on Candlemas, and yes, Groundhog Day. Phil’s fame spread, and newspapers from around the globe began to report his Gobbler’s Knob prediction. Info from http://www.visitpa.com/groundhog-day
In related news, February 2nd is exactly the halfway point between the Winter Solstice and the Spring Equinox. It is the winter midpoint or ‘cross-quarter’ day. The coldest, bleakest part of our winter season is now officially half over!
Spring is near!! Spring is near!! Oh gosh… Spring is near!
Visit the official Groundhog Day site: http://www.groundhog.org/
Life of Bon 
That thought must be comforting to those who are buried in snow this day!
February 2, 2011 at 9:02 am
Yes, very true! It’s hard to fathom the amount of snowfall so many are receiving right now. Just unbelievable!
February 3, 2011 at 8:11 am
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I am thinking the same thought as Duke. What a winter this has been! Hooray for the groundhog’s forecast. Thank you for the history on Groundhog’s Day. Blessings to you, Bonnie…
February 2, 2011 at 9:54 pm
It really is unbelievable – airports in the north shutting down, Chicago schools closed for the first time in twelve years… A friend of mine moved to New York a couple months ago, and although she expected the snow, she told me just yesterday she had no idea she was moving to the Arctic. It must be very frustrating to say the least for those having to deal with it!
February 3, 2011 at 8:14 am
I want one more snow day, and then I’ll be ready for spring!
February 3, 2011 at 2:17 pm
You know, Thoughts, I can’t argue with that either. Preferably it would hit on a Friday morning and make one long weekend. 🙂
February 4, 2011 at 10:42 am
That would be nice. I heard it may snow Monday; that would work, too!
February 4, 2011 at 11:59 am
Oh yes, it would… the
hangoverday after the superbowl – even better!! 😀February 4, 2011 at 6:09 pm