2 February 2005 – Groundhog Day
Ever wonder just what Groundhog Day is all about? As if the sight of a shadow by a rodent can really foretell the future of the weather. Is this day anything more than a whimsical fancy? Or does it give us a glimpse into our past.
The second day of February has become a day of fun and games, a celebration if you will, for jokes, parties and general frivolity. But as with all holidays and celebrations, there are ancient roots buried deep in the origins. These origins have a very profound and serious impact on the people of the time. As with almost everything in early civilizations, the day had to deal with agriculture. This day; no matter what it is called, falls at the halfway point between the winter solstice and the spring equinox. This is the time when the ground preparations of spring plantings began. It all circled around the cycle of the seasons and pagan beliefs. Around the profound metaphor of the earth being a mother to plant with seeds to bring forth new life. Later, many of these beliefs were incorporated into the Christian religion as Candlemas.
Candlemas is a unique celebration tying many elements together into a neat package, both pagan and Christian beliefs. It can be said Candlemas is the start of the New Year, a time to clean out the old and start the new. In medieval times, this was when the Christmas celebration decorations were removed, the hearth cleaned and a new fire put in the fireplace. The local priest would bless candle to light the homes of morals. It was also the time to contemplate the coming year; when ideas and goals were discussed, written down and planned for. If this sounds like New Years resolutions, it is. This is also the time for rededication to a goal; to welcome a new member to the family, the healing of old wounds and much, much more.
As the name, Candlemas indicates, all the celebrations have one element in the foreground, fire/light. Just how do fire, light and a groundhog tie together? That is a question with many twists and turns to the answer. It ties together traditions of many cultures and superstitions.
According to the old English saying:
If Candlemas be fair and bright,
Winter has another flight.
If Candlemas brings clouds and rain,
Winter will not come again.
From Germany:
For as the sun shines on Candlemas Day,
So far will the snow swirl until May.
For as the snow blows on Candlemas Day,
So far will the sun shine before May.
In Germany, they use a woodchuck, which is called a groundhog here in the United States.
And from America:
If the sun shines on Groundhog Day;
Half the fuel and half the hay.
As Groundhog Day seems to be a time for lifting up the spirits from the winter doldrums, it has been a day when many entertainers were born. This follows with the tradition of welcoming a new member to the family and lighting the home. It also has to do with luck and timing.
Furthermore, what better timing than for the President of the United States to give his ‘state of the union speech’? That follows with the Candlemas’ traditions of rededication and resolutions.
So Groundhog Day may indeed be a fun day, but there are deeper underlying elements we deal with, yet didn’t realize.
Just a note of trivia for you: In many movies and books you have seen them refer to the President as POTUS. Have you ever wondered why? It is an acronym for President Of The United States.
Have a nice day and enjoy six more weeks of winter.
Ed Williams
©
The second day of February has become a day of fun and games, a celebration if you will, for jokes, parties and general frivolity. But as with all holidays and celebrations, there are ancient roots buried deep in the origins. These origins have a very profound and serious impact on the people of the time. As with almost everything in early civilizations, the day had to deal with agriculture. This day; no matter what it is called, falls at the halfway point between the winter solstice and the spring equinox. This is the time when the ground preparations of spring plantings began. It all circled around the cycle of the seasons and pagan beliefs. Around the profound metaphor of the earth being a mother to plant with seeds to bring forth new life. Later, many of these beliefs were incorporated into the Christian religion as Candlemas.
Candlemas is a unique celebration tying many elements together into a neat package, both pagan and Christian beliefs. It can be said Candlemas is the start of the New Year, a time to clean out the old and start the new. In medieval times, this was when the Christmas celebration decorations were removed, the hearth cleaned and a new fire put in the fireplace. The local priest would bless candle to light the homes of morals. It was also the time to contemplate the coming year; when ideas and goals were discussed, written down and planned for. If this sounds like New Years resolutions, it is. This is also the time for rededication to a goal; to welcome a new member to the family, the healing of old wounds and much, much more.
As the name, Candlemas indicates, all the celebrations have one element in the foreground, fire/light. Just how do fire, light and a groundhog tie together? That is a question with many twists and turns to the answer. It ties together traditions of many cultures and superstitions.
According to the old English saying:
If Candlemas be fair and bright,
Winter has another flight.
If Candlemas brings clouds and rain,
Winter will not come again.
From Germany:
For as the sun shines on Candlemas Day,
So far will the snow swirl until May.
For as the snow blows on Candlemas Day,
So far will the sun shine before May.
In Germany, they use a woodchuck, which is called a groundhog here in the United States.
And from America:
If the sun shines on Groundhog Day;
Half the fuel and half the hay.
As Groundhog Day seems to be a time for lifting up the spirits from the winter doldrums, it has been a day when many entertainers were born. This follows with the tradition of welcoming a new member to the family and lighting the home. It also has to do with luck and timing.
Furthermore, what better timing than for the President of the United States to give his ‘state of the union speech’? That follows with the Candlemas’ traditions of rededication and resolutions.
So Groundhog Day may indeed be a fun day, but there are deeper underlying elements we deal with, yet didn’t realize.
Just a note of trivia for you: In many movies and books you have seen them refer to the President as POTUS. Have you ever wondered why? It is an acronym for President Of The United States.
Have a nice day and enjoy six more weeks of winter.
Ed Williams
©
posted by Ed | 14:03
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