Is the groundhog a Scot?

[macwilkin]

Whilst most scholars agree that the American holiday of Groundhog Day originated with German settlers in Pennsylvania, there is a reference to a Scottish verse that was associated with Candlemas Day (Feb. 2nd):

If Candlemas day be bright and clear,
There'll be twa winters in the year.

Another variant went:

If Candlemas Day be bright and fair
Half the winter is to come and mair (more)
If Candlemas Day be dark and foul
Half the winter was over at Yowl (Christmas)

Traditionally Candlemas was a quarter day in Scotland when rent (and other payments) were due. Insome towns, an annual football match, or "Candlemass Ba'" was held.

Sources:

http://www.rampantscotland.com/features/festivals.htm

http://www.thebookofdays.com/months/feb/2.htm

Regards,

Todd

[svc40bt]

Certainly seems to be at least a similar superstition, only lacking the groundhog.

[davedove]

It's quite likely that both traditions simply derived from the same folk wisdom. That is, if you have a bright sunny day on February 2, it was most likely that you would have more bad weather before winter is over.

Although, I'm all for getting Phil to wear a kilt.

[macwilkin]

It's quite likely that both traditions simply derived from the same folk wisdom. That is, if you have a bright sunny day on February 2, it was most likely that you would have more bad weather before winter is over.

Although, I'm all for getting Phil to wear a kilt.

Exactly. The Germans in the old country used a badger, and then later a groundhog here in the US. Other sources note that hibernating bears and wolves were also used as "weather detectors".

T.

[svc40bt]

Has anyone else on the board ever been to Punxsatawney? I used to travel through on my way from the DC area back to visit family farther north and west in PA.

For at least a couple of years they had a 50 foot high plywood cutout of Punxsatawney Phil in the middle of town. The local country club has a groundhog on their sign. Not a feature you would normally think a golf course would advertise.

[Wompet]

Exactly. The Germans in the old country used a badger, and then later a groundhog here in the US. Other sources note that hibernating bears and wolves were also used as "weather detectors".

T.

I thought that the English based their folklore on the hedgehog. The hedgehog, being an insectivore, would become more active with the onset of warmer weather (because its food would be more active too). So if you saw a hedgehog, Spring was coming.

Chipmunks and woodchucks, being true hibernators, are somewhat good indicators. Hadn't heard wolves before - doesn't make sense from a biological standpoint, as wolves aren't even false hibernators.

[ccga3359]

Must be Scottish because he hates me, our own local Wiarton Willie just predicted 6 more weeks of winter .

[macwilkin]

I thought that the English based their folklore on the hedgehog. The hedgehog, being an insectivore, would become more active with the onset of warmer weather (because its food would be more active too). So if you saw a hedgehog, Spring was coming.

Chipmunks and woodchucks, being true hibernators, are somewhat good indicators. Hadn't heard wolves before - doesn't make sense from a biological standpoint, as wolves aren't even false hibernators.

Apologies for not providing enough detail on the wolves -- one source I read this morning made the claim that if wolves returned to their lairs on Candlemass, it was a sign that severe weather would continue for another 40 days.

No doubt English folklore played a strong role in the story as well.

In the Ozarks, Groundhog Day was originally celebrated on Feb. 14th, according to noted folklorist Vance Randolph.

Regards,

Todd

[piperdbh]

I heard on PBS last night that the reason for this "seeing/not seeing a shadow" stuff has to do with the clouds. Really.
If there are no clouds to block the sun's rays and seal in heat, then the cold of winter will continue.
If there ARE clouds, which block out the sunlight but trap heat, then warmer weather is on its way.

What if one of those non-hibernating wolves eats the groundhog, and Turpin makes a sporran out of its hide? What happens then?

[Chrissss]

Must be Scottish because he hates me, our own local Wiarton Willie just predicted 6 more weeks of winter .

Meh... In Winnipeg we don't pay attention to Groundhog Day. For everyone else it seems that 6 more weeks of winter is a BAD thing. Here, if we only get 6 more weeks starting from Feb 2 then that is a really early spring... oop:

Chris...