Groundhog Day Can Teach Us Not to Rely on Shadows for Truth

 

by Barbara Latta @barbaralatta

The legend of Groundhog Day tells us if this furry little creature comes out of hibernation and sees his shadow there will be six more weeks of winter. No shadow means an early spring. Spring brings to mind new life as trees and flowers bloom and animals give birth to young. We hope for relief from the bitterness of winter. But this observance is merely tradition. How many times is the groundhog wrong? His shadow doesn’t represent the truth of the season’s weather.

Groundhog Day Can Teach Us Not To Rely On Shadows For Truth.

The Origin of Groundhog Day and the Significance of Shadows

by Barbara Latta

February 2 is the day recognized as Groundhog Day. Attention is turned to Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania each year to see what Phil, the famous groundhog, will do. Or in the case  of Georgia, it's General Beauregard Lee. 

Did you know that the origin of Groundhog Day has Christian roots? It began with the tradition of Candlemas where clergy would distribute candles needed for winter and place a blessing on them. These candles represented how long and cold winter would be. The Germans took this tradition further by selecting an animal, the hedgehog, to predict weather. When settlers arrived in Pennsylvania the hedgehog was not available, so they decided to use a  groundhog because they were plentiful in that area.

The legend is that if the groundhog comes out of hibernation and sees his shadow there will be six more weeks of winter. No shadow means an early spring. Spring brings to mind new life as trees and flowers bloom and animals give birth to young. There is relief from the harshness of winter.

Shadows can be misleading.