What does Phil have to say??

HAPPY GROUNDHOGS DAY!

Punxsutawney Phil
*I think he is kinda cute*
http://www.groundhog.org/inner-circle/single/?tx_ttnews[tt_news]=24&tx_ttnews[backPid]=39&cHash=c8b5c766a4

The Prediction:

The great and wise Phil the Groundhog says, "Brr it's cold and cloudy! I'm going back to bed, but guess what... It's going to be spring sooner than you think! I wonder where my shadow went?"

Early Spring people! That should be good news for most!

The Myth and Legend!

The Groundhog of the year, wakes up on February 2nd to meet its shadow. 

"Hello Shadow, I think I will go back to bed what about you" -6 more weeks of winter

"That Pesky shadow over-slept again" -Spring has sprung (very mild end to winter)

Oh the History!

There are all sorts of different tales and legends out there about animals and spring but one that has blossomed the most over time (and by far my favorite weather holiday, for no particular reason at all *sarcasm*) is Groundhogs day.

Way back when there were no TV's, Radio's, Internet or Cell Phones is where this lovely legend starts. The exact date is unknown but the we know this much... it was way back when they used to use animals, plants and bugs to help predict the weather. In the 18th and 19th century, the Germans of Pennsylvania had started this tradition based on several different weather lore that had similar traits but instead of a Groundhog the lore focuses on a bear or a badger. It is also said to be somewhat based on the Catholic holiday "Candlemas."

During "Candlemas" the following is said:

As the light grows longer
The cold grows stronger
If Candlemas be fair and bright
Winter will have another flight
If Candlemas be cloud and rain
Winter will be gone and not come again
A farmer should on Candlemas day
Have half his corn and half his hay
On Candlemas day if thorns hang a drop
You can be sure of a good pea crop

From this the Germans from Pennsylvania drew a conclusion and inserted a groundhog into the tradition. It was written down in James Morris' diary that:

"Last Tuesday, the 2nd, was Candlemas day, the day on which, according to the Germans, the Groundhog peeps out of his winter quarters and if he sees his shadow he pops back for another six weeks nap, but if the day be cloudy he remains out, as the weather is to be moderate."

He was store keeper in Berks county, Pennsylvania in 1841.

Also stated by the official website for Punxutawny, PA:

"Pennsylvania's earliest settlers were Germans and they found groundhogs to in profusion in many parts of the state. They determined that the groundhog, resembling the European hedgehog, was a most intelligent and sensible animal and therefore decided that if the sun did appear on February 2nd, so wise an animal as the groundhog would see its shadow and hurry back into its underground home for another six weeks of winter.

The Germans recited:

For as the sun shines on Candlemas Day,
So far will the snow swirl until the May.

This passage may be the one most closely represented by the first Punxsutawney Groundhog Day observances because there were references to the length of shadows in early Groundhog Day predictions."

Some Historians also believe that the holiday has to do with the switching over of calendars. There was once a calendar that had the first day of spring on a different day every year. Where as in the Julian Calendar (the one that we base our days off of now) the first day of spring is set on March 20-21. This is exactly 6 more weeks of winter. So some say that the lore of the groundhog had to do with the confusion between the two. 

Fun Fact!

This holiday has gotten so big that the University of Dallas, Texas has declared Groundhog's Day as an official school holiday and the put on a big celebration of the groundhog. In fact their unofficial mascot is a Groundhog.

Another Fun Fact!

In Alaska, February 2 is observed as Marmot Day rather than Groundhog Day because few groundhogs exist in the state. The holiday was created by a bill passed by the Alaska Legislature in 2009 and signed by then-Governor Sarah Palin that year.

Another Holiday?
February 2nd is also known as "World Wetlands day." This day was the day that the world signed a Conservation act in Ramsar, Iran, in the 1970's. Here is the link to the details!
http://www.wetland.org/education_wetlandsday.htm

Not only should you remember groundhogs on this day... Think of your wetland habitats and how you can help conserve them!!

I LOVE THIS DAY! Who's with me!?!