It’s Groundhog Day: Peter McCory
An early spring is on the way, according to groundhog “Punxsutawney Phil.” When the Pennsylvania groundhog emerged from his dwelling at Gobbler’s Knob Saturday morning, he did not see his shadow.
“And so ye faithful, there is no shadow to see, an early Spring for you and me,” proclaimed Bob Roberts, one of Phil’s handlers.
According to folklore, if a groundhog emerges from its burrow and see its shadow, then six more weeks of winter weather is on the way. But if it comes out and sees no shadow, spring is expected to come early.
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February 2, 2013 at 12:50 pm
https://www.box.com/s/3z6unyosx83yx5jf3a10
February 2, 2013 at 5:11 pm
I don’t understand this February obsession with a ground hog in Pennsylvania and his weather prediction. The ground hog and the seeing his shadow is all just complete and utter nonsense. I have never figured out why this stupidity makes the national news every year.
February 2, 2013 at 5:26 pm
Bob,
It isn’t really an obsession but rather a tradition. People get to have a bit of fun, a few parties, some fireworks and a chance to see Phil. Nobody actually believes Phil predicts the weather.
“Groundhog Day has its origins in an ancient celebration of a point mid-way between the Winter Solstice and the Spring Equinox. Superstition has it that fair weather was seen as forbearance of a stormy and cold second half to winter. The early Christians in Europe established the custom of Candlemas Day, when the clergy would bless candles and people would light them in each window of their homes to ward off the darkness of mid-winter.
But the legend of the February 2nd forecast also persisted, as captured in this old English saying:
If Candlemas be fair and bright,
Winter has another flight.
If Candlemas brings clouds and rain,
Winter will not come again.”
February 2, 2013 at 7:14 pm
I thank you for enlightening me on our most ridiculous traditions. Of course Groundhog day is fun, but who knew that it goes back to the early Christians in Europe.
February 2, 2013 at 7:32 pm
Bob,
Everything starts somewhere. This just happens to be the light of Christianity.