It's Time For Groundhog Day, Predictions, and Lore

Phil says: More Winter! vs Hello Here Comes Spring!

  • Don't Put the Snow Shovel Away.

    Votes: 9 60.0%

  • Let the Spring Gardening Begin.

    Votes: 2 13.3%

  • This is Animal Abuse, poor Phil.

    Votes: 1 6.7%

  • It's Harmless Silly Fun, People Do Crazy Things, but not Abuse.

    Votes: 5 33.3%
  • Total voters
    15
  • Poll closed .
Owlivia

Owlivia

Well-known Member
iu
 

"We’re talking about Punxsutawney Phil, Seer of Seers, Sage of Sages, and Weather Prognosticator Extraordinary."

The Old Farmer's Almanac

If it's a sunny day, Phil will see his shadow and retreat to his home. This indicates six more weeks of winter.

However, if it's a cloudy day, Phil will stay out which indicates an early Spring!

Well, that's the myth anyway. Feel sorry for the groundhogs as they are held aloft, does it even have time to sniff the air and make its own timely entrance?

Back in years past, the groundhog was allowed to come out of it's hole, but nowadays it is held up in the air and well, it's just a spectacle.

Personally, I don't think the modern event is accurate as far as predicting the change of seasons. But, it was fun to think so when I was young.
 

After watching the weather report last night, all the talk about the Polar Vortex keeping us in bitter cold temps made me feel disheartened. Our winter started here in the second week of November.

Well, I have no power over changing the weather, so just have to accept and make the best.
 
"In 1887, a local newspaper editor declared Phil, whose full title is “Punxsutawney Phil, Seer of Seers, Sage of Sages, Prognosticator of Prognosticators and Weather Prophet Extraordinary,” to be the United States’ only true weather-forecasting groundhog.

Unfortunately for the groundhog, in those days, the event usually culminated with the weather forecaster being served and eaten as a main entrĂŠe, said Deeley."

Groundhog Day was started by the Germans who settled in the area. It goes back to Candlemas.

More town and talk and history of the tradition over the years.
 
The population of Gobbler's Knob where Phil lives is ordinarily around 6,000 people. Tourists coming to Punxsutawney for the event on February 2 bring that total up to close to 39,000 for the fun.

AP22033507460238.jpg


Little fact: groundhogs are also called woodchucks and usually live around six years. So, we are not talking about a nearly 200 year old rodent.

Screenshot-2025-01-31-at-12.25.36%E2%80%AFPM.png
 
Owlivia said:
The population of Gobbler's Knob where Phil lives is ordinarily around 6,000 people. Tourists coming to Punxsutawney for the event on February 2 bring that total up to close to 39,000 for the fun.

AP22033507460238.jpg


Little fact: groundhogs are also called woodchucks and usually live around six years. So, we are not talking about a nearly 200 year old rodent.

Screenshot-2025-01-31-at-12.25.36%E2%80%AFPM.png
Click to expand...
Yeah, I'd wondered how many different "Phils" there have been.. as it's certainly more than the lifespan of one groundhog.
 
I like Groundhog Day. It's one celebration with no dark meaning, no mobs and hopefully just a fun, happy day for everyone. There is no groundhog abuse, just a happy fat animal who is shown for fun and I don't see him wriggling to get down.
It can stay steadfast is it's intention wih no harm, I hope.
 
We are going to have six more weeks of winter whether Phil sees his shadow or not since spring begins around 10:46 a.m. on March 20th in the Northern Hemisphere. The groundhog is cute though.
 

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