DaKoTa's Groundhog Day Pages

The Pennsylvania Polka Groundhog

Groundhog Day is February 2nd of each year. According to American folk tradition, the groundhog leaves the burrow where it has been hibernating to discover whether cold winter weather will continue. If the groundhog cannot see its shadow, it remains above ground ending its hibernation, but if its shadow is visible six more weeks of cold weather will continue, and the animal returns to its burrow.

Websters definition of groundhog: a small burrowing rodent.
Cyber Grandmas definition: a pesty little critter who always reminds me we are going to have more winter.
Websters definition of winter: fourth season; in northern latitudes, period between winter solistice and vernal equinox; any dismal gloomy time.
Cyber Grandmas definition: snow, snow and more snow.
Websters definition of snow: frozen vapor which falls in flakes; snowfall; mass of flakes on the ground.
Cyber Grandmas definition: the stuff that gives me cabin fever.

Well seems there is no defintion for cabin fever in Webster.
Cabin fever is something you catch when you are stuck in the house because you can't go anywhere. Not that I want to go its just knowing I can't. Living in the country and having a steep driveway means you are not going to run to town and to get that loaf of bread you need, instead you are going to have to bake some of your own. Well it has now been almost two weeks since any of our vehicles have been up the driveway. Just a lot of footprints there, as to go anywhere you have to walk the quarter of a mile to get to the road. When you get there you are taking your life in your hands as the road commisioner lives in the other part of the county and only plows his road. Anyone want to air lift me a care package? The other day I was sent some bonbons in my email and I tried to eat them.*GRIN* Can you tell by now that cabin fever has begun to affect Cyber Grandma?. I think maybe I need to rename this page the ramblings of a crazy grandma. Thank Goodness for the internet. *GRIN*

Cool Groundhog Day Pages

Information About Groundhog Day...

The groundhog's reputation as a weather prophet came to the U.S. in the mid18th century with German immigrants known as Pennsylvania Dutch. They had regarded the badger as the winter-spring barometer, and reasigned the job to the groundhog after importing their Candlemas traditions to the U.S. Other Europeans used the bear or hedgehog--but in any case it belonged to a creature that hibernated. Its emergence symbolized the imminent arrival of spring.

Groundhog Day is also the secular incarnation of Candlemas, a traditional Christian festival that commemorates the ritual purification of Mary 40 days after the birth of her son. It also marks the presentation of the infant Jesus in the temple. Christians were observing this holiday in Jerusalem at least as early as the 4th century A.D. By the middle of the 5th century, candles were lit on this day to symbolize the association of light with Christ.

Despite its place on the Christian calendar, Candlemas also has pagan roots. The ancient Romans observed the beginning of spring on February 5th--they tidied farm and field and closed the year with a purification festival. The Armenian Church held an ancient fire-god festival each February 2nd. Future weather was forecasted by the behavior of smoke blown from fires lit in church courtyards.

And finally, in Ireland, February 1st is the feast day of Saint Brigit, the spiritual protector of sheep and cattle. According to tradition, she was born at sunrise as her mother, a Druid's slave, carried milk across the threshold of her master's house. In the same way, her feast falls on a seasonal crossroads--between winter and spring. When winter is fading and the power of the spring sun is increasing. Prior to the conversion of the Irish Celts, Saint Brigit's Day was known as Imbolc, one of four seasonal junctions in the pagan calendar of Ireland. It was the start of spring, and its name refers to "ewes' milk" and to the birth of farm animals. Imbolc was dedicated to the Celtic goddess Brigit, who was associated with learning, poetry, crafts and healing. Many of her pagan characteristics were retained when she was transformed into a saint.