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
on 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 simple 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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