Groundhog Day!
Looking for answers to your Groundhog Day questions? You've come to the right spot! Learn about various aspects of the Groundhog Day holiday, and how we've been celebrating it in Punxsutawney since 1886.
Here are some answers to Frequently Asked Questions about the holiday:
Yes! Punxsutawney Phil is the only true weather forecasting groundhog. The others are just impostors.
How often is Phil's prediction correct? 100% of the time, of course!
How many "Phils" have there been over the years? There has been only one Punxsutawney Phil. He has been making predictions for over 120 years!
Punxsutawney Phil gets his longevity from drinking the "elixir of life," a secret recipe. Phil takes one sip every summer at the Groundhog Picnic and it magically gives him seven more years of life.
On February 2, Phil comes out of his burrow on Gobbler's Knob - in front of thousands of followers from all over the world - to predict the weather for the rest of winter.
According to legend, if Punxsutawney Phil sees his shadow, there will be six more weeks of winter weather. If he does not see his shadow, there will be an early spring.
No! Phil's forecasts are not made in advance by the Inner Circle. After Phil emerges from his burrow on February 2, he speaks to the Groundhog Club president in "Groundhogese"(a language understood only by the current president of the Inner Circle). His proclamation is then translated for the world.
The celebration of Groundhog Day began with Pennsylvania's earliest settlers. They brought with them the legend of Candlemas Day, which states, "For as the sun shines on Candlemas Day, so far will the snow swirl in May..."
Punxsutawney held its first Groundhog Day in the 1800s. The first official trek to Gobbler's Knob was made on February 2, 1887.
So the story goes, Punxsutawney Phil was named after King Phillip. Prior to being called Phil, he was called Br'er Groundhog.
Groundhog.org
Here are some answers to Frequently Asked Questions about the holiday:
Yes! Punxsutawney Phil is the only true weather forecasting groundhog. The others are just impostors.
How often is Phil's prediction correct? 100% of the time, of course!
How many "Phils" have there been over the years? There has been only one Punxsutawney Phil. He has been making predictions for over 120 years!
Punxsutawney Phil gets his longevity from drinking the "elixir of life," a secret recipe. Phil takes one sip every summer at the Groundhog Picnic and it magically gives him seven more years of life.
On February 2, Phil comes out of his burrow on Gobbler's Knob - in front of thousands of followers from all over the world - to predict the weather for the rest of winter.
According to legend, if Punxsutawney Phil sees his shadow, there will be six more weeks of winter weather. If he does not see his shadow, there will be an early spring.
No! Phil's forecasts are not made in advance by the Inner Circle. After Phil emerges from his burrow on February 2, he speaks to the Groundhog Club president in "Groundhogese"(a language understood only by the current president of the Inner Circle). His proclamation is then translated for the world.
The celebration of Groundhog Day began with Pennsylvania's earliest settlers. They brought with them the legend of Candlemas Day, which states, "For as the sun shines on Candlemas Day, so far will the snow swirl in May..."
Punxsutawney held its first Groundhog Day in the 1800s. The first official trek to Gobbler's Knob was made on February 2, 1887.
So the story goes, Punxsutawney Phil was named after King Phillip. Prior to being called Phil, he was called Br'er Groundhog.
Groundhog.org
posted by Yoga Korunta | 00:01
13 Comments:
LOL! That was cute. Well, it's snowing heavily here, something it rarely does even once a winter but has done *twelve times* so far this winter. Which means that if P.P. lived here he wouldn't see his shadow because it's so busy snowing. Hmmm. Sounds like a mixed message.
Usually our crocuses are up and cheerily blooming by now.
If you get a chance to go, by all means visit Phil! He saw his shadow this morning and so we'll get six more weeks of winter. There is only a trace of snow on the ground here in Ohio. The winter has been mild; I've already cut the grass once. Thanks for reading, Book Lady!
6 more weeks... It has not been so bad here either, as winters go. But it could if the gods of weather frown!
Yes, those weather deities are a capricious lot. They shouldn't drink before going to work!
Thanks for stopping, Fran!
I don't know about that Phil's accuracy. The herb garden here is already springing with new growth. Temps have been very mild here with light showers now and then.
But, I've heard from friends in New England they had a good Noreaster this year.
We have 2 degrees C in Ohio and rain is expected. No new plants yet. At that temp the precipitation, rain/snow, doesn't much matter. Eek!
My mother went to California after college-and came back to Ohio!
I haven't seen any snow here at all. It's been so mild. I guess 6 more weeks won't bother me.
Lucky you! It's cold in this state!
Thanks for stopping!
I have it on good authority that Phil retired last year--was heard to say:
"I got three words for you numbskulls, 'Global freakin' warming'!"
How wise is the groundhog, Kvatch. Would that the small minded heeded the warnings of those who study science and the environment. We were told of CO2 building when I was a child.
Thanks for reading!
Even change will come to and ending.
Stay on groovin' safari,
Tor
Just saying hello in the comments!!
Hope all is well with you Yoga.
Hi - just saying hi and seeing how you are again!
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