What IS a groundhog anyway?
Groundhog Day stems from an older holiday, Candlemas Day. The beliefs and traditions of Candlemas Day were similar to Groundhog Day in that the day marked a milestone in the weather and a change from winter to spring. An even older Roman holiday was celebrated on February 1st, the Feast of Lights. This was a springtime rebirth celebration. Many other spring celebrations were traditionally celebrated around the beginning of February throughout the ages. February 2nd is the midpoint between winter solstice and the spring equinox. Groundhog Day itself is a North American tradition stemming from Candlemas and first celebrated in it’s current form in 1886. The now traditional viewing of the famous groundhog in Punxsutawney, PA is a fun and nonscientific way to calculate the end of the winter weather. Supposedly, if Punxsutawney Phil comes out of his burrow and sees his shadow, there will be six more weeks of bad weather. If the day is cloudy and he does not see his shadow, then spring is on
