On
February 2nd a quaint tradition unfolds. The fate of Spring hangs in the balance as a
burrowing animal looks for its shadow.
But where did this tradition come from?
For centuries February 2nd has been a Christian Feast
Day. It is the Feast of the
Presentation, honoring the day that Mary and Joseph brought the infant Jesus to
the Temple. The date of Candlemas is
always February 2nd because it is exactly 40 days after the Feast of
the Nativity on December 25th.
Incidentally this date is also halfway between the winter solstice and
the spring equinox so this date has always been significant. Candlemas became linked to weather
predictions about the end of winter/arrival of spring because of an old English
poem: “If Candlemas be fair and bright, Come winter, have another flight. If Candlemas bring clouds and rain, Go
winter, and come not again.” The
Groundhog Day shadow/no shadow idea simply follows the pattern of the
song: “Fair and bright” = sun = shadow =
more winter; “Clouds and rain” = no shadow + spring arriving soon. The name
Candlemas refers to the traditional processions and blessing of candles that
came to characterize the feast day. |
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