So Groundhog Day was this week.
Did you know the idea of Groundhog Day came from the ancient Christian celebration of Candlemas Day, which was the midpoint between winter solstice and spring equinox? The clergy would bless the candles on this day and then pass them out to the people. Superstition held that if the day were sunny and clear, this would be sign a long, hard winter, but if it were cloudy, it meant spring would arrive soon.
The Germans elaborated on this and threw in a hedgehog that would either see his shadow or not, and when Germans settled in Pennsylvania, the hedgehog was traded out for a groundhog. The first news of a Groundhog Day celebration was in 1886 in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, where the editor declared the Punxsutawney groundhog named Phil was America's official weather forecasting groundhog. Oh, and after Phil's weather prediction, the celebrants headed over to Gobbler's Knob for (wait for it) various groundhog dishes, including groundhog punch....
I think I can answer for everyone on this and say we are all thankful that Groundhog Day has evolved and partaking of an actual groundhog is no longer part of the celebration.
What else are you thankful for? Please join us at the Ten Things of Thankful and find out why we are forecasting many thankfuls and a friendly blogging community!
This weekend's link is live!
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| If you haven't seen the movie "Groundhog Day" with Bill Murray, WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR? |
I LOVE this movie ;D
ReplyDeleteGotta love Groundhog Day, the actual day, and the movie. After all, it's so easy to celebrate the day, nothing to cook, no decorating, no gifts to buy, just enjoy the day!
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