Yep, it's February 2nd and folks all over North America will be listening closely to radio and television newscasts (some even checking the web) to find out whether we'll be having another 6 weeks of winter. Groundhog Day!
I did some research - I love research - and discovered the history behind Feb. 2nd actually belonged to the Scots. Here's the couplet that is believed to have started this weather predicting trend:
"If Candlemas Day is bright and clear
There'll be two winters in the year."
Interesting. Unfortunately, the transition between a Candlemas adage and a large rodent predicting the weather is unclear. But the tradition started somewhere and has grown into a good excuse for a festival. In Canada, our day starts right here in Nova Scotia with Schubenacadie Sam. Then, in Ontario, Wiarton Willie (the most famous of Canadian weather predicting rodents) has his go at deciding if we're to endure another 6 weeks of winter or if spring has sprung. But did you know there are even more meteoroligical woodchucks?
I did some research - I love research - and discovered the history behind Feb. 2nd actually belonged to the Scots. Here's the couplet that is believed to have started this weather predicting trend:
"If Candlemas Day is bright and clear
There'll be two winters in the year."
Interesting. Unfortunately, the transition between a Candlemas adage and a large rodent predicting the weather is unclear. But the tradition started somewhere and has grown into a good excuse for a festival. In Canada, our day starts right here in Nova Scotia with Schubenacadie Sam. Then, in Ontario, Wiarton Willie (the most famous of Canadian weather predicting rodents) has his go at deciding if we're to endure another 6 weeks of winter or if spring has sprung. But did you know there are even more meteoroligical woodchucks?
- Brandon Bob in Manitoba
- Balzac Billy in Alberta (also known as the Prairie Prognosticator)
- Gary the Groundhog in Kleinburg, Ontario (who has his own Facebook page)
And I haven't even begun to name all the furry climatologists in the United States over and above Punxsutawney Phil! Incredible!
As a movie buff, I loved Groundhog Day with Bill Murray. The lighthearted look at reliving a day over and over again had a little comedy and a little romance, but the message - "When we get beyond denial and resentment over the conditions of life and death, and accept our situation, then life ceases to be a problem and we can become authentic and compassionate." is brilliant. If you get some time today, and you've never seen the movie (or even if you have), take a look at this link. A wonderful synopsis and an interesting viewpoint that any person can appreciate (and the writer in me is loves the how it relates to a hero's journey).
And after all these years of continually asking "What's the deal with the groundhog again? If he sees his shadow, more winter or not?" I now know, thanks to that little couplet, that I don't want the sun to be shining on Feb. 2nd (as I write this, the almost full moon is shining in my window - does not bode well for Sam's soothsaying).
Happy Groundhog Day everyone :)
A beautiful, sunny day here in Maine. Gol darn it! I don't believe this state has it's own predictor rodensis, so we have to go by what happens in PA. I don't dare find out. It's wicked cold (trans. "some cold") today, and I don't want to contemplate more of the same.
ReplyDeleteI hope a front moved in off the Atlantic over night, just for you! LOL
I'm surprised, Lu, that Maine doesn't have a 'predictor rodensis' (hilarious) - most of the other states have one!
ReplyDeleteAnd word just in - Punxsutawney Phil has just seen his shadow; so 6 more weeks of wicked cold. And, after a scour of the net (obviously, Sam is not as popular), Schubenacadie Sam has also seen his shadow - the front failed to move in - so that's 2 forecasting another round of winter.
Stupid groundhogs :)
I love Groundhog Day, the film, too! I find I don't pay any attention to the 'predictor rodensis', whatever their names are. It's winter, we live in Canada, we'll have spring when it gets here.
ReplyDeleteHey, Julia! I figured you would love Groundhog Day after reading your blog and discovering your love of all things movie!
ReplyDeleteFunny about the actual day - and living in Canada - I always tried to convince my bosses (no matter where I worked) that it should be a national holiday. Either in celebration of an early spring (which, as you point out is pointless here in Canada) or in morning due to more winter. They never went for it. And living in Saskatchewan (with a stint in the Arctic), the concept really is ridiculous. I have higher hopes now that I'm living in Nova Scotia!
Except - Sam did see his shadow :( And Wiarton Willie has also burrowed back into his hole after seeing his shadow this morning in the town of Wiarton, Ontario. That's 3 for 3 - not looking good. Bundle up :)
Breaking news: Brandon Bob, from Brandon, Manitoba, has seen his shadow. This coincides with rodent relatives Sam, Willie, and Phil. BUT, Manitoba Merv (didn't see that on my research last night) has NOT seen his shadow. Manitoba Merv is breaking from the rodent union and is prediciting an early spring.
ReplyDeleteWe love Manitoba Merv :)
Holy Groundhog! Balzac Billy has joined Manitoba Merv in predicting an early spring. WOO HOO :)
ReplyDelete*I really hope this doesn't mean the east coast is destined for more winter while the west is not*
I always thought if we ONLY had 6 more weeks of winter, that would be good. That only takes us to the middle of March. So if spring starts in the middle of March, instead on April or May that's a good thing. Right??
ReplyDeleteOops, sorry Suse - I read your comment in my e-mail and then forgot to come back and reply here on the blog. I hope you enabled the e-mail option after you commented.
ReplyDeleteYES! Wouldn't it be nice to really, really have only another 6 weeks of winter. That groundhop needs his head examined. And I wonder - would he actually come of his hole on his own on the second day of February? Or are we, people who need an excuse to gather and complain about the weather, yanking him out for our own guilty pleasure?
Things that make you go hmmm? (Dating myself - Arsenal Hall Show from the 80's)
I don't know if I've ever noticed the email option. I'll have to look for it.
ReplyDelete