Ask the Groundhog
Happy Groundhog Day everyone! I love this day of the year. As a lover of spring, I am always hopeful that we bid winter goodbye, yet I am often let down. Are you hopeful for an early spring this year? Do you ever wonder how the groundhog even lets us know if he’s seen his shadow or not? That seems a little odd to me. But don’t worry, I’ve done my research.
The very first Groundhog day was on February 2nd, 1887 in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. But the origins of the whole extravaganza dates to long before that. In ancient times, February 2nd has always been the marker for the beginning of spring and end of winter. Over time, as Christianity spread, this became known as “Candlemas.” If the day of the feast of Candlemas was sunny, it was said that there would be another 40 days of wintery weather. Candlemas then evolved yet again when Germans took a spin on it. If it was sunny, then that must mean that badgers could see their own shadow. So, then groundhogs entered the picture in 1887. Ever since then, it’s been a huge event that everyone looks forward to. Will he see his shadow and declare more winter? Or will spring finally break through?