It was an ordinary day. February 2nd, which means it is Groundhog Day in the United States and Canada. Not sure how many other countries celebrate the special day that marks the midpoint between the winter solstice and spring equinox, but we in Pennsylvania go all out on February 2nd to find out if the groundhog will see it's shadow on February 2nd. Most of those who lived in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, known as Pennsylvania Dutch, were immigrants from German-speaking areas of Europe. Germans had the tradition of marking Candlemas (February 2) as "Badger Day" where if a badger emerged from its home and found it to be sunny, thereby casting a shadow next to it, would go back in its hole which meant four more weeks of winter weather. Well, those Germans who came to Lancaster County searched for a few badgers and when they couldn't find any, settled on the groundhog which looked something like a badger. Now, if it was raining or overcast and there was no shadow to scare the varmint, summer was right around the corner. The forecast of an early spring or late winter would help farmers in deciding when to plant their summer crops.
Punxsutawney Phil being held by the Grand Master. |
Octoraro Orphie, the Prognosticating Champ! |
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