Groundhog Day
According to the news headlines, Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow this morning and retreated to his hole. This supposedly mean another six weeks of winter. I’ll let you decide if a groundhog can predict the weather. See You Tube
But where did this custom begin? This custom owes its origin to Candlemas, February 2, the day between the first day of winter and the the first day of spring. A sunny Candlemas day would mean that winter would be extended six more weeks. February 2 is also the day that the Purification of the Virgin Mary is celebrated. Candles were blessed that day, thus Candlemas,
The custom was brought to America by German immigrants and gradually modified to use the groundhog as an indicator.