monday's mulling: groundhog day

Groundhog Day, celebrated every year on February 2, is an unusual holiday that stretches back hundreds of years to European traditions and ancient times.

Why this date in midwinter? Groundhog Day stems from an ancient Celtic celebration called Imbolc, rooted in astronomy and marking the midpoint between the winter solstice and the spring equinox. 

Groundhog Day is a quirky holiday celebrated in the United States and Canada. It’s a fun way to break up the winter season and look forward to spring. It’s based on the belief that some animals can sense seasonal changes, and their hibernation patterns will indicate the coming weather.

According to weather lore, if it’s a clear or sunny day, the groundhog will see its shadow and return to its underground home. This means six more weeks of wintry weather. If it’s a cloudy or snowy day, this plump little prognosticator will not see his shadow which means early spring weather is right around the corner.

The first official organized Groundhog Day celebration in the United States was held in 1887 in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, and has become a popularized annual tradition. My brother, one of the many accountants in the family, worked on an audit in Punxsawtawney, PA for a few years. One evening he and his boss were at dinner and the restaurant was selling wine made at the Groundhog Winery. The server gave him the story about the winery, that it's home to Junior and Sis, two cute little groundhogs who are rumored to be 3rd cousins of the famous forecaster Punxsawtawney Phil. 

Cheers to you, Phil. After all the snow and the many days with below 0 temperatures, we sure would welcome some early spring weather. No pressure at all...