Ground Hog Day is on February 2nd.

(I hope that I am posting in the right area - forgive me if not)

Ground Hog Day is on February 2nd.

Ground Hog Day evolved out of the old Christian celebration of Candlemas.

This was also celebrated between Winter Solstice and the Spring Equinox.

On this day, European clergy would bless candles and hand them out to people, who would then place the candles in their windows.

It was also believed that if the sun came out on this day and an animal saw its shadow, there would be six more weeks of winter weather.

A badger was often the animal watched. It is also interesting to note that Candlemas evolved out of an ancient Pagan holiday called Embolic, which held the same belief as Candlemas and Ground Hog Day, sunny weather on mid-winters day was a signal of more winter on its way.

The first official Ground Hog Day was held in the Pennsylvania town of Punxsutawney on Feb.2nd 1886.

The following year it was celebrated on Gobbler's Knob, the home of the now famous groundhog, Punxsutawney Phil.

Until 1996, it was a secret ceremony, with Phil's prediction being revealed to the public after the event.

Today, it is public and newsroom crews gather round to watch Phil.

It's no wonder the poor guy ducts quickly back into his hole that he calls home!!!

Last year was the first time since 1999 that he didn't see his shadow.

It was an overcast day with light snow and mist under a full moon.

We wonder what will happen this year when Phil is roused from his warm home at 7:25 Eastern Standard Time (USA) ???


Old European quotes about Candlemas from the web site www.stormfax.com:

According to the old English saying:
If Candlemas be fair and bright,

Winter has another flight.

If Candlemas brings clouds and rain,

Winter will not come again.

From Scotland:
If Candlemas Day is bright
and clear,

There'll be two winters in the year.

From Germany:
For as the sun shines on Candlemas Day,

So far will the snow swirl until May.

For as the snow blows on Candlemas Day,

So far will the sun shine before May.

And from Ground Hog Day in America:
If the sun shines on Groundhog Day;

Half the fuel and half the hay.[b]