Origins of Groundhog Day
Groundhog Day is celebrated annually on February 2nd, primarily in the United States, but is also popular in Canada as well. The folk story goes that if a groundhog comes out of his hibernation hole and doesn’t see his shadow, then an early spring will occur. However, if the groundhog sees his shadow, the yucky winter will last for another 6 weeks as the groundhog returns to hibernate. Festivals are generally held each year around the United States, with the biggest celebration occurring in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. The 1993 comedy movie hit “Groundhog Day” starring Bill Murray is based on the Pennsylvanian tradition.
During the 18th century, the celebration ofGroundhog Dayappeared as a Pennsylvanian German custom. The origin of the celebration comes from European weather folklore. However, in the original European version, a badger or bear predicts the future weather. February 1st is also a “new season” according to the Celtic calendar and also a Pagan celebration day where the festival of Imbolc is observed.
The first mention of Groundhog Day is by a Pennsylvanian storekeeper James Morris who wrote a diary entry about the German tradition. His diary entry referred to February 2nd as Candlemas day, and wrote this in his diary. “According to the Germans, the Groundhog peeps out of his winter quarters and if he sees his shadow he pops back for another six weeks nap, but if the day be cloudy he remains out, as the weather is to be moderate.”
Another piece of European lore lies in a Scottish poem that says “As the light grows longer, the cold grows stronger.”
A Canadian study was conducted for 40 years that puts the rate of success of a Groundhog’s prediction at a mere 37%. The national Climatic Data Center puts the accuracy rate at 39%. Accuracy is based upon if weather continues to follow the winter cycle or spring cycle over the next 6 weeks. It seems that the groundhog is generally wrong, which scientifically would state that the opposite of the folklore is true. If the groundhog sees his shadow, there will actually be an early spring, while if he does not see his shadow, then there are 6 more weeks of winter.
Regarding origins, there is another custom that is similar to the US and Canadian custom, although the appearance occurs on February 15th. Orthodox Christians in Serbia celebrate “The Meeting of the Lord” called Sretenje. When the 15th hits, a bear will come out of hibernation and is he sees his shadow, he becomes scared and hibernates for 40 more days, or roughly 6 weeks.
Portugal also has a tradition called The Candelaria Day. No animals are used in the prediction, but the Portugese say that if it is sunny, winter will continue, but if it is cloudy, winter won’t last much longer.
