To See, or Not to See… Happy Groundhog Day!
Well, this is the time of the year when the hustle and bustle of the holidays are over and we start to dream about spring/summer. We wonder how long the winter weather will be with us, and some are hopeful that Punxsutawney Phil will predict early spring for the future forecast on Groundhogs Day, February 2, 2022.
It has been said that this celebration brings thousands of people together from all over the world to await the prediction of this furry forecaster! This event is known for bringing people together as they share conversation about this day.
Often people engage in Groundhog Day conversations…did you hear Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow or he did not see his shadow? In the past, I can remember being at work, or even as kid, waiting to hear the news. I remember our teachers sharing this prediction with us and even asking if we thought he would see his shadow before the announcement was made. That famous question…Did he see his shadow? When I was a child, I remember wishing he would see his shadow so I could have more snow days. As I get older, my wishes have changed a bit and are in favor of way less snow days!
Do you believe…. The first official Groundhog Day celebration took place in February 1887, in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania! That’s 135 years ago this February! Every February 2, tens of thousands of spectators attend Groundhog Day events in Gobbler’s Knob to see Punxsutawney Phil and anticipate his forecast! I did read somewhere that Punxsutawney Phil is only about fifty percent accurate, but it is a fun way to celebrate, especially in the winter months.
According to tradition, if a groundhog comes out of its hole on this day and “sees its shadow”, it gets scared and runs back into its burrow, predicting six more weeks of winter weather. Of course no “shadow” means an early spring. According to stormfax.com, Punxsutawney Phil has:
- seen his shadow 106 times
- not seen his shadow 20 times
- and no record of either only 9 times
Some history on Groundhog Day….
Groundhog Day has its origins in the ancient Christian tradition of Candlemas, when clergy would bless and issue candles needed for winter. The candles signified how long and cold the winter would be. The Germans then expanded on this concept by selecting the hedgehog as a means of predicting weather. That all changed once they came to America. German settlers in Pennsylvania continued the tradition. However, they swapped the traditional hedgehogs for groundhogs, which were plentiful in Pennsylvania.
Last year, the normal celebrations did not take place due Covid-19, but Punxsutawney Phil did show up to make his prediction, at which he saw his shadow – meaning six more weeks of winter. As of now, they plan on having the traditional Groundhog Day next week, February 2, 2022! Will he see his shadow? Stay tuned for his prediction!!
