History of Groundhog Day
HISTORY OF GROUNDHOG DAY
Groundhog Day comes from Candlemas Day, observed for centuries in parts of Europe on February 2. The custom was for the clergy to bless candles, representing how long winter would be, and distribute them to the people.
What are the pagan, Christian, and secular roots of this holiday?
Connection to a Pagan Holiday?
The pagan celebration of Imbolc – the Feast of the goddess Bridget, or Brigid in Ireland – is observed by modern pagans.
A Christian Holiday
In Christian Ireland, it’s St. Bridget’s Day – the Abbess of Kildare and the patron of midwives – and the “cross-quarter day” comes at the midpoint between the Winter Solstice and the Spring Equinox. The Roman Legions, it is said, initially brought the tradition to the Germans.
What is the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord?
Candlemas is 40 days after Christmas, the birth of Jesus Christ. In the second chapter of his Gospel, Luke records that Jesus was brought to the Temple in Jerusalem “to present him to the Lord,” as is required by the Jewish Law of Moses for the firstborn son.
The feast was called “The Feast of the Purification of the Blessed Virgin ” in the Roman Catholic Church, at least until the Second Vatican Council. In the Eastern (Greek Orthodox) Church, however, it is known as “The Meeting of the Lord,” with old Simeon and Anna—also mentioned in Luke 2:25–38— who rejoiced to see the Messiah in their lifetimes.
Presentation at the Temple (Georgia, 12th century). Image: Wikipedia
Simeon took the baby Jesus in his arms, blessed God, and said:
“Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word;
for my eyes have seen your salvation
that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,
a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel.”
In 542, Roman Emperor Justinian established this feast throughout the East Roman Empire. The Western Church introduced it under Pope Sergius I in the late 7th century.
How Does This Fit in the Church Calendar?
The winter holiday cycle in the ecclesiastical calendar goes like this:
- Advent begins with the four Sundays before Christmas Day and ends on Christmas Eve (December 24)
- Christmas extends Twelve Days between Christmas and Epiphany (January 6)
- Epiphany ends on Candlemas Day (February 2)
If you haven’t yet taken your Christmas decorations down, you may do so without fear of ridicule.
What is Candlemas?
Blessing beeswax candles once a year for the whole year became common in the 11th century. This practice was a reference to Simeon’s prophecy that Jesus would be the “light for revelation to the Gentiles” (Luke 2:32).
In more modern times, says the old Scottish couplet:
“If Candlemas Day is bright and clear
There’ll be two winters in the year
If Candlemas brings clouds and rain,
Go Winter, and come not again.”
Whether the Weather Will Change
In Hungary, there is an old folk tale that says if a bear emerges from hibernation on Candlemas (February 2) and sees its shadow because the sun is out, it will return to hibernation because of the cold. If clouds are in the sky, winter is almost over. Hungarian zoos are still watched for bears predicting the coming of Spring.
In Germany, when bears became scarce, the weather predictor became the badger. Since medieval times, German farmers have based their weather predictions on whether the badger would see its shadow on Candlemas, also known as “Badger Day” (Dachstag).
When Germans immigrated to Pennsylvania in the U.S., badgers were not as plentiful as back in Germany. By the 1840s, the following idea caught on among German immigrants. Their folk traditions now had people looking to hedgehogs for their shadows on a sunny day.
Modern Groundhog Day
In 1886, the editor of The Punxsutawney Spirit newspaper dubbed the day “Groundhog Day.” If the groundhog sees its shadow on a “bright and clear” day, six more weeks of winter are ahead.
Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, is the headquarters of the celebration where the groundhog “Punxsutawney Phil” regards his shadow at Gobbler’s Knob, a wooded knoll just outside the town. And Bill Murray visited this location (repeatedly) in his movie Groundhog Day.
Tens of thousands have gathered annually at Gobbler’s Knob for the event.
Happy Groundhog Day.
Bill Petro, your friendly neighborhood historian
billpetro.com
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