Hey, it’s Groundhog Day!

 

Groundhog Day
#GroundhogDay

Groundhog Dayย (Pennsylvania German:ย Grund’sau dรฅk,ย Grundsaudaag,ย Grundsow Dawg,ย Murmeltiertag;ย Nova Scotia:ย Daks Day)[1]ย is a popular North American tradition observed in the United States and Canada on February 2. It derives from theย Pennsylvania Dutchย superstitionย that if aย groundhogย emerging from its burrow on this day sees its shadow due to clear weather, it will retreat to its den and winter will persist for six more weeks; if it does not see its shadow because of cloudiness,ย springย will arrive early.

While theย traditionย remains popular in the 21st century, studies have found no consistent correlation between a groundhog seeing its shadow and the subsequent arrival time of spring-like weather.[2]

Theย weather loreย was brought from German-speaking areas where theย badgerย (German:ย Dachs) is the forecasting animal. This appears to be an enhanced version of the lore that clear weather on the Christian festival ofย Candlemasย forebodes a prolonged winter.

The Groundhog Day ceremony held atย Punxsutawneyย in westernย Pennsylvania, centering on a semi-mythical groundhog namedย Punxsutawney Phil, has become the most frequently attended ceremony.ย Grundsow Lodgesย inย Pennsylvania Dutch Countryย in the southeastern part of the state observe the occasion as well. Other cities in the United States and Canada also have adopted the event.

https://tnc.network/lifestyle/

Lifestyle

 

4 1 vote
Article Rating
, , ,

2 Comments
Oldest
Newest
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Mary Jo Anhalt
Mary Jo Anhalt
February 2, 2022 10:12 am

Itโ€™s freezing cold, but sunny here today in Southern Utah. Even groundhogs are smart enough to stay inside their holes.

%d