Groundhog Day

Subject: Groundhog Day Tue Nov 04, 2008 11:39 pm

Groundhog Dayacross the United States and Canada, on February 2, is purely a North American tradition. It is based on a belief that on this day (February 2) the groundhog, or woodchuck, comes out of hole after winter hibernation to look for its shadow. If the shadow is seen, it's a sunny day. And the groundhog foretells 'six more weeks of bad weather' and thus a lingering winter. But spring is coming if no shadow is seen because of clouds. The groundhog then behaves accordingly. It goes back into the hole if the weather turns bad, but stays above ground if spring is near.

Thus weather prediction or prognostication came as an integral feature of Groundhog Day tradition. This prediction owes its origin to the European tradition of Candlemas. There is an old European supposition that a sunny Candlemas day would lead the winter to last for 'another six weeks'. Also celebrated on February 2, the was used to commemorate the Purification of the Virgin Mary. Candles for sacred uses were blessed on this day. Gradually the traditions at this Candlemas came to associate with them different folklores. The German added the belief of an animal, initially a hedgehog, being frightened by his shadow on Candlemas would foretell that winter would last another six weeks. This belief was brought in America during the 18th Century by the German settlers. These settlers adopted the groundhog as their weather predictor

Punxsutawney Phil
The Groundhog Day came into being in North America during the late 1800s. Thanks to the combined effort of Clymer H. Freas, a newspaper editor, and W. Smith, an American Congressman and newspaper publisher. They organized and popularized a yearly festival in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, the State was populated predominantly by German settlers. The festival featured a groundhog named Punxsutawney Phil which used to foretell how long the winter would last. This very popular event is still being held and is called Groundhog Day.

In Canada and Wiarton Willy is the Groundhog that is used to predict the length of winter over there

Subject: Re: Groundhog Day Tue Nov 04, 2008 11:43 pm

Candlemas or Groundhog Day
A clear, sunny day on a Candlemas was one of the worst things that could happen. Fair conditions would bring at least forty more days of snowy, rigorous winter. On the other hand, an overcast and generally miserable Candlemas promised a fat and early summer

What is Candlemas?
Celebrated mainly across the European continent this is actually the celebration of two events which took place at the same time and in the same place

the Presentation of the Christ Child in the Temple and the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The day was first celebrated as an event in the life of Jesus, and as described by the Spanish nun Etheria in her Peregrinatio under the name Quadragesima de Epiphania (the fortieth day of Epiphany).

By the 17th century the commemoration of the event was known as the Purification of Mary, and February 2 was the date of its celebration. Pope Sergius I was responsible for the introduction of the procession with candles, from which the feast acquired the name Candlemas.

Like most other Christian feasts, Candlemas was an occasion of greater importance before the Reformation than after. Today it has meaning mostly for the Roman Catholic. Eastern Orthodox, and Anglican churches, who use the day to bless all the candles that will be burned on the altars during the year. In the Chapel of the Quirinal in Rome the Pope officials each year at the candle-blessing ceremony.

Christmas Decorations taken down at Candlemas
An old tradition was that Christmas decorations were taken down by Candlemas. Though it is still kept in some places, but for the most part it has been set forward to January 6, the day of Epiphany. The 17th Century English poet Robert Herrick wrote concerning this removal
Feb. 1st the Feast of Lights
The earlier Romans in the pre-Christian era celebrated February 1 as the Feast of Lights. Lighted torches were carried in procession in a springtime rebirth ritual. The tradition witnessed a carryover in the Christian era and was glorified by linking it with Christ. For, what we celebrate as the Groundhog Day these days has since long been celebrated as the Candlemas across Europe.