What happens if the groundhog comes out

Read more about the ancient Celtic calendar here. The celebration of Imbolc signaled that the Sun was halfway through its advance towards the spring equinox, and the season of new birth and light was on the horizon. This day has also been called St. Although it is distinct from Imbolc, the Christian festival of light Candlemas is also observed at this time of year February 2. The name refers to the candles lit that day in churches, which celebrate the presentation of the Christ Child in the temple of Jerusalem.

Groundhog Day has a rich history based on a deeper meaning; it speaks to the triumph of spring over winter—and birth over death. Again, note the appearance of light over dark with the appearance of candles and dawn—and, of course, the spiritual light of a holier presence. So how does the groundhog fit into this ancient festival? In the s, German immigrants to Pennsylvania brought their Candlemas legends with them. Finding no badgers but lots of groundhogs also called woodchucks or whistlepigs , they adapted the New World species to fit the lore.

Today, that lore has grown into fun winter festivals, with Punxsutawney Phil and furry fellows in other states presiding. Since the traditional celebration anticipated the planting of crops, a central focus of the festivities was the forecasting of either an early spring or a lingering winter. Our Groundhog Day is a remote survivor of that belief.

Want to see more accurate planting dates? Check out our Planting Calendar to find dates for starting seeds, transplanting, and harvesting in your area. If Candlemas [February 2] be mild and gay, Go saddle your horses and buy them hay; But if Candlemas be stormy and black, It carries the winter away on its back. The groundhog, also known as a woodchuck or whistlepig, typically makes its home in the brambles and thickets that grow where forests meet fields. There, it digs burrows between 4 and 6 feet deep and up to 40 feet long—removing as much as pounds of dirt in the process.

Like its squirrel relatives, the groundhog eats leaves, grass, flowers, bark, and twigs and climbs trees to reach tender buds or fruit. This furry animal will also go after just about any crop, favoring beans, peas, and carrot tops. It may even take a bite out of every squash or pumpkin in a row, instead of consuming just one.

See how to deter groundhogs in the garden. But the mischief-maker is not all nuisance. Its burrows allow air and water to penetrate the soil and, when abandoned, they become homes for opossums and other small animals. The first U. Air Force plane is lost in South Vietnam. The C aircraft crashed while spraying defoliant on a Viet Cong ambush site. The aircraft was part of Operation Ranch Hand, a technological area-denial technique designed to expose the roads and trails used by the Viet The first official game of The Treaty of Guadeloupe Hidalgo added an additional , square miles to United States territory, including the area that would become the states of As a growing empire with a long Pacific coastline, Russia was in many ways well positioned to play a leading role in the settlement and development of the Novelist James Joyce is born this day in Dublin, Ireland, the eldest of 10 children.

Joyce attended Catholic school and University College in Dublin. A brilliant scholar, he learned Dano-Norwegian in order to read To the rest of the world, he was Sid Vicious, former bassist Dereume holds Punxsutawney Phil, the weather prognosticating groundhog, during the th celebration of Groundhog Day on Gobbler's Knob in Punxsutawney, Pa. Tuesday, Feb. Phil's handlers said that the groundhog has forecast six more weeks of winter weather during this year's event that was held without anyone in attendance due to potential COVID risks.

Although the event usually draws an in-person audience of thousands, this year, fans will watch virtually as the lovable rodent comes out of his burrow around dawn, the news outlets reported. His longest streak of not seeing his shadow — two years between and Facebook Twitter Email.

Groundhog Day: Punxsutawney Phil sees his shadow. It's six more weeks of winter. Show Caption. Hide Caption. Groundhog Day: Punxsutawney Phil almost always sees his shadow. Share your feedback to help improve our site!