Are You Thinking of Spring?

Are you thinking of spring? Many of us are!

​Imbolc falls on February 1st and 2nd this year. It is a word derived from the old Irish Gaelic, means "in the belly”, and specifically refers to ewes, pregnant with lambs. In a larger context, it symbolizes Mother Earth being pregnant with the promise of spring. It is about half way between the winter solstice and the spring equinox. 
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Originally a pagan holiday, Imbolc later became known as St. Brigid’s Day, the feast of the Purification of the Virgin Mary, and the Presentation of Christ in the Temple. It is also known as Candlemas Day, the day people take their candles to church to be blessed. 

Then, February 2, 2024, we will celebrate Groundhog Day, also associated with the arrival of spring, and historically associated with Imbolc, The event began as Badger Day in Germany and traveled across the ocean to eventually become affiliated with groundhogs.

THE FIRST MENTION OF THE GROUNDHOG DAY CELEBRATION

​A journal entry from February 2, 1840 by a  Welsh-American storekeeper in Pennsylvania is the earliest mention of the celebration, according to Don Yoder, author of Groundhog Day. ​

Today the Germans say the groundhog comes out of his winter quarters and
​if he sees his shadow he returns in and remains there 40 days.”
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~ Welsh-American storekeeper’s journal entry, 2-2-1840

Groundhogs in the United States and Canada are also known as ground squirrels, whistle pigs, land beavers, marmots and woodchucks. European ground hogs are called hoary marmots. Hedgehogs, in addition to badgers,  were also credited with weather predictions in Europe. 

Punxsutawney Phil, acclaimed as the Weather Prophet, is the most famous of all of the groundhogs. This much maligned, innocent fellow is annually yanked out of his burrow by a rowdy crew wearing top hats who have been drinking heavily all night. If he sees his shadow, there will be six more weeks of winter, and if not, only two. If spring doesn’t arrive early, he alone is blamed. For many reasons, my heart goes out to Phil. 

Another groundhog, Potomac Phil, the National Groundhog, is not as well known as Punxsutawney Phil. He is dead. Stuffed. He predicts not only the weather, but political events. You can find him in Washington D.C. at Dupont Circle Fountain. (If you catch up with him, please send me a message and let me know the coming election results and how he predicts them in his current condition.)

But back to spring! 
One of my favorite harbingers is the snowdrop, featured in my next post!