Just who decided that a Ground Hog can predict the weather?  Why not have Taz come out and see if he can see his shadow?

Taz - the embodiment of mischief!

Afterall the Ground Hog only gives an overall opinion.  And everyone knows the “devil” is in the details – pardon the pun.

How did this unusual ritual come to be such a big deal? 

And how did a place called Punxsutawney get the honor for this ritual?  Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania is a small town in west central Pennsylvania.  The name comes from the Indian name “ponksad-uteney” which means “the town of the sandflies”.  Woodchuck comes from the Indian legend of “Wojak, the groundhog” considered by the Indians to be their ancestral grandfather.  Hmm – what does “the Town of the Sandflies” have to do with a groundhog?  Scratching my head on this one….

Punxsutawney was settled by Germans in the 1700s.  They brought a tradition, known as Candlemas Day, with them.

Candelmas Day in Denmark

Candlemas was seen as the midpoint between Winter Solstice and Spring Equinox.  Its early origin is the pagan celebration of Imbolc.  The superstition comes from the idea that if the weather is fair, the second half of winter would be stormy and cold.  In Europe it was customary for clergy to bless candles and distribute them to people in the dark of winter.  A lighted candle was placed in each window of the home.  If the sun came out February 2^nd, it meant six more weeks of wintry weather.  Well…where does the badger/groundhog come into play here?  Still scratching my head….

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.

In Germany, they watched a badger (a badger – are you kidding?) for the shadow.  In Pennsylvania, they chose to awaken a groundhog.  Anyone ever try to get close to a badger, much less pick it up?  They are one mean animal when aroused.  So give the immigrants from Germany some credit for being smart about this.  So, there is the connection between Candlemas and the animal.

Pennsylvania’s official celebration began on 2-2-1886 with a proclamation in the local press.

“Today is groundhog day and up to the time of going to press the beast has not seen its shadow.”  The beast (really???) was given it’s name ‘Punxsutawney Phil, Seer of Seers, Sages of Sages, Prognosticator of Prognosticators and Weather Prophet Extraordinary.”  The town was thus named “Weather Capital of the World.”  This whole ritual happens, since 1887, in a particular spot called Gobbler’s Knob.  One wonders why they didn’t use a turkey? ;0)

The Inner Circle in Gobbler's Knob

How many of you remember the movie, “Groundhog Day” from 1993 with Bill Murray.  A classic.  If you have not seen it, find it, rent it or buy it and enjoy.  The movie created a lot of interest in Punxsutawney and the Groundhog Day ritual.  Every year the ritual draws more and more people.  The town itself has a population of under 7,000.  On Groundhog Day you will find well over 35,000 in attendance.  Just wondering – where do they all stay?

A groundhog is actually a woodchuck. 

I know – how much wood could a woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood?  Couldn’t resist putting that in here….  The wood chuck is a member of the Marmota Monax species from the family of Sciuridae and the order of Rodentia and the class known as mammal.  Check in next Groundhog Day for more information the Woodchuck.

The Groundhog

In case you are in doubt about the crowds and the ritual, watch this short video of the ritual of 2012.  Someone in Punxsutawney is pretty smart about marketing this day – all around the world.  Watch for the Inner Circle and how they perform this ceremony.  Check back next year for more on the “Inner Circle”.  Enjoy the video.

How did you celebrate Groundhog Day?  What is your prediction for the rest of Winter?

Information obtained from the following websites:
www.groundhog-day.123holiday.net
www.stormfax.com/ghogday.htm
www.infoplease.com/spot/groundhogday1.html
www.fcps.edu/islandcreekes/ecology/woodchuck.htm
www.groundhog.org