What Will You Do With Februrary 2?

We usually think of February 2, as Groundhog Day.   Every year many people wait expectantly to see if the groundhog sees his shadow.  If he does, legend has it that there will be six more weeks of winter.  If he doesn’t see his shadow, then we are told we can expect an early spring.

 

I began wondering about it because I wanted to know why a groundhog is supposed to make the decision as to whether or not we will have six more weeks of winter, and why a groundhog in Pennsylvania? What is it that makes Punxsutawney Phil so special? Why not, say, a Texas groundhog or a Missouri groundhog?  Perhaps a Texas groundhog would show up in hat and spurs and drawl, "Howdy partner!"  Do you suppose a Missouri groundhog was not chosen because he would simply come out and say, "SHOW-ME!" and refuse to go back into his hole UNTIL he saw his shadow? 

 

I decided to do a little research and find out how Punxsutawney Phil became weatherman extraordinaire.

 

It seems that the Delaware Indians had something to do with Punxsutawney, PA., because these Indians settled there in 1723, as a campsite halfway between the Allegheny and the Susquehanna Rivers. The name Punxsutawney comes from the Indian name for the location, "ponksad-uteney", which means "the town of the sand flies."  Now, that explains a lot because I’m sure “Sand Fly Day” just left something to be desired in drawing tourists to the area.

 

I found that the name woodchuck comes from the Indian legend of "Wojak, the Groundhog" considered by the Indians to be their ancestral grandfather. The Delawares considered the groundhog an honorable ancestor. If that is the case, I have a friend who would like to file a grievance because it seems one of their ancestors has undermined her entire barn.

 

If there is a groundhog near my house right now, he might be smart just to stay in his warm cozy home then to come out in these frigid temperatures we have been having lately. 

 

When a groundhog hibernates, his body temperature goes from 100 degrees to 38 degrees Farenheit, and he only breathes once every six minutes.  I’ve felt a lot like that lately every time I open the front door! 

 

What if there is snow on the ground on February 2nd?  It would take more than a little energy for a groundhog to wake up and push his way through all of that frozen snow just to look for his shadow. If the groundhog cannot get out of his home beneath the snow, what does that mean? Perhaps we are to follow his example and just sleep six more weeks? It would be pretty nice to just hibernate and wake up on a warm spring day with tulips blooming.

 

As I continued searching, I discovered that February 2nd was not just about groundhogs.  I found that German settlers brought with them to America, "Candlemas Day". The day was originally called Candlemas because it was the 40th day after the birth of Jesus.  It was the day he was presented at the temple in Jerusalem to be consecrated.

 

For the early Christians in Europe, it was the custom on Candlemas Day for clergy to bless candles and distribute them to the people in the dark of winter. These lighted candles would be placed in the windows of homes. The candle and the flame symbolized Christ, “The Light of the World…The Light that shines in darkness.”  In the depths of the darkness of Winter the candles would burn and enlighten the world.  Candlemas, February 2, occurs at the heart of winter and is also the day mid-point between the Winter Solstice and the Spring Equinox.

 

In modern America, Candlemas has mostly been taken over by the groundhog.  I wouldn’t be surprised if we begin to find little stuffed, furry groundhog animals or chocolate groundhogs to munch in the stores.    Although it is fun to watch the behavior of the groundhog, it would be nice to bring Candlemas back into the picture too.   Spring will eventually arrive, whether a groundhog sees his shadow or not but the light will only shine in the darkness if we carry it there. What will you do with February 2,? 

 

By

Pamela R. Blaine

January, 2004

 

 

Old English sayings:

 

If Candlemas be fair and bright,

Winter has another flight.

If Candlemas brings clouds and rain,

Winter will not come again.

 

Scotland:

 

If Candlemas Day is bright and clear,

There'll be two winters in the year.

 

 

Germany:

 

For as the sun shines on Candlemas Day,

So far will the snow swirl until May.

For as the snow blows on Candlemas Day

So far will the sun shine before May.

 

And from America:

 

If the sun shines on Groundhog Day;

Half the fuel and half the hay.

 

If February brings drifts of snow,

There’ll be good summer crops to hoe.