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How Groundhog Day Got Started

On February 2, some people think only of those furry critters that look for their shadows:
Punxsutawney Phil in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania; Wiarton Willie in Wiarton, Ontario; and others.
In fact, there is a bit more to the day than that.

• February 2 is exactly halfway between the winter solstice and spring equinox, the astronomical midpoint.

• February 2 is also Candlemas Day. In the Christian tradition, it is the day when a year’s supply of candles
is blessed.

• February 2 is 40 days after Christmas and is known as the Feast of the Purification among Christians.
“Februa” was the month for cleansing, when Yule greens were removed from homes and churches, and old
brush and debris were burned to prepare the fields for the next sowing.

• Originally, this day was called Imbolc (“lambs’ milk”) because the lambing season began now. It was also
called Brigantia for the Celtic female deity of light, calling attention to the Sun being halfway on its advance
to spring.

• It was not held as a good omen if the day itself was bright and sunny, for that betokened snow and frost to
continue to the hiring of the laborers 6 weeks later. If it was cloudy and dark, warmth and rain would thaw
out the fields and make them ready for planting. Our Groundhog Day is a remote survivor of that belief.

Oh, about those groundhogs: If they see their shadows, expect 6 more weeks of winter!

Credits: Yankee Magazine® and Farmer's Almanac®
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