Happy Groundhog Day

Groundhog Day occurs on February 2 each year. Arriving at the midway point between the winter solstice and spring equinox, it launches a celebration of Candlemas.

Punxsutawney Phil, a resident of Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, has predicted the weather since 1887. Men volunteer as a part of the Inner Circle to care for him.

Believers feel that whether or not the groundhog sees its shadow indicates how much longer winter will last. If Phil sees his shadow, it suggests six more weeks of winter. If the groundhog doesn't see its shadow, spring will arrive early.

  

The Groundhog Day celebration begins early in the morning with thousands of people gathering to see if the weather-predicting groundhog spots his shadow or not.

German immigrants brought the tradition of Groundhog Day in the 1880s. At that time members of Groundhog Lodges, meant for socializing with others and enjoying meals, planned the "unburrowing" ceremony. They originally used badgers or bears as their forecasters since both animals hibernate and awaken when days become longer and the sun's angle becomes higher. 

Yesterday, thousands of people gathered overnight to await the forecast, bundled up against the cold and entertained by folk music and a fireworks display, with temperatures around 11F (minus 12C).

The groundhog’s prediction is contained in a short poem.

“Up early this morning. Far from home. Are you searching for the Philosopher’s stone? Well, even my best friends, they don’t know. Is it an early spring or just more snow,” the proclamation read. 

My faithful followers, your hands (and my paws) are getting cold so here is my forecast. Not lead, but solid gold: I see my royal Shadow! Six more weeks of Winter to go!”

As legend has dictated for 131 years, the United States is in for a long winter.