wordy wednesday...candlemas {february 2, 2022}

In Christian tradition, February 2 is Candlemas. Candlemas takes its name from the blessing of the candles on this day for use in the church for the coming year. 

There is an old belief that all hibernating animals, in particular the badger, (AKA  the groundhog) wake up on Candlemas Day and come out to see if it's still winter. If it is a sunny day, the animals will see their shadows and go back to hibernation for another 40 days. If it is cloudy, they will not be frightened by their shadows and stay above ground.

                                “If Candlemas Day be fair and bright,

                                Winter will take another flight.

                                If Candlemas Day be cloud and rain,

                                Winter is gone and will not come again.” 

In the United States, the churches recognize Candlemas but February 2 is also known as Groundhog Day, which based on the the weather-prognosticating skills of the world's most famous groundhog, Punxsawtawney Phil.

Well, THE groundhog has spoken, so it's official: Six more weeks of winter. At least for this week, the groundhog got it right. We have a huge winter storm bearing down upon those of us who live in the midwestern states. Snowmageddon with ice.

Palindrome date: 2-2-22