The history of Groundhog Day ...

Groundhog Day, February 2nd, is a popular tradition in the United States. It is also a legend that traverses centuries, its origins clouded in the mists of time with ethnic cultures and animals awakening on specific dates. Myths such as this tie our present to the distant past when nature did, indeed, influence our lives. It is the day that the Groundhog comes out of his hole after a long winter sleep to look for his shadow.

If he sees it, he regards it as an omen of six more weeks of bad weather and returns to his hole.

If the day is cloudy and, hence, shadowless, he takes it as a sign of spring and stays above ground.

The groundhog tradition stems from similar beliefs associated with Candlemas Day and the days of early Christians in Europe, and for centuries the custom was to have the clergy bless candles and distribute them to the people. Even then, it marked a milestone in the winter and the weather that day was important.

According to an old English song:
If Candlemas be fair and bright,
Come, Winter, have another flight;
If Candlemas brings clouds and rain,
Go Winter, and come not again.

I guess what I don't understand about this holiday is, if the weather is clear, wouldn't it mean that spring is on its way?  Cloudy weather is usually associated with winter.  Oh well, there are some things that we just aren't supposed to understand about tradition.  So, I hope that the groundhog, today, doesn't see his shadow.  Winter has been interesting here in TX, what with getting snow yesterday.  I'll be glad when the cold weather is done and over with.  Although, to be honest, I'm not exactly looking forward to the excruciatingly hot summer, either.

Happy Groundhog Day to all!!!