SYLVIA KENT'S READING & WRITING FORUM

A history and lifestyle journal www.swwj.co.uk

Thursday, February 02, 2017

GROUNDHOG DAY - 2 FEBRUARY



February 2nd is supposed to be the mid-point between the Winter Solstice and the Spring Equinox. According to legend, if the weather was good on that day, the rest of the winter would be stormy and cold. If not, the coldest season of the year would be over soon and farmers could start to think about planting their crops. Eventually a hedgehog - not the more traditional creature used today - was added, and the story of seeing his shadow began. 

Regular readers will find this posting somewhat familiar. Well - I couldn't resist writing about Groundhog Day on 2 February last year and off I go again! As a British folklore fan, I enjoy learning about other countries' traditions. Groundhog Day has been used as a film, book and a play. What does a furry animal that looks like an overstuffed rodent hold such sway every February 2nd? The answer lies shrouded in the shadows of history. Most experts suggest the tradition began when German settlers brought their tradition of Candelmas to North America in the 1700s.

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