Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow today, so it will be 6 more weeks of winter. The last time Phil didn’t see his shadow was 1999.
According to German folklore, if a hibernating animal cast a shadow on the holiday of Candlemas (February 2) winter would last another six weeks. No shadow means Spring would come early.
Since 1887, Phil has seen his shadow 97 times, hasn't seen it 15 times, and there are no records for nine years, according to the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club.
In Michigan we have Woody the Woodchuck at the Howell Conference and Nature Center definitely is predicting six more weeks of winter.
Woody would not even come out of her stump. (that can't be good)
This was just he first time in at least six years Woody did not at least sniff the cold air outside of her ceremonial stump at the nature center north of Pinckney.
Woody's system is a little different from Phil's.
Once she comes out, she has 30 seconds to return to her stump. If she does, the prediction is for another six weeks of winter. If after 30 seconds, she's still outside, that indicates an early spring.
So far, Woody has made a correct prediction seven out of 10 times, according to Wildlife Director Dana DeBenham.
Center Director Dick Grant event went so far as to retrieve an opossum from the facility's wildlife rehabilitation center to see whether a different critter would cooperate with the ceremonial forecast. The Wood-supportive crowd booed the opossum off the stage.
Candlemas—February 2 is one of the great cross-quarter days which make up the wheel of the year. If falls midway between the winter solstice and the spring Equinox and in many traditions is considered the beginning of Spring.
Since Candlemas is a time of new beginnings, this is a good day to ritually celebrate all things new. Plan a ceremony to name a new baby, officially welcome a new person into a family or plight your troth to your beloved. (wtf?) Make a commitment to a goal. (Yeah that’s going to happen); this would be an especially powerful thing to do in a group. (or coven)
