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Well, folks, it is official -- Punxsutawney Phil did not see his shadow today, so an early spring is predicted, for Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, anyway...To read about the interesting origins of this holiday, click on the following link: Groundhog Day Origins I hope you enjoy the article. I always welcome feedback.
Last edited by Phyllis, Native American; 02/03/11 12:52 AM.
Walk in Peace and Harmony. Phyllis Doyle Burns Avatar: Fair Helena by Rackham, Public Domain
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BellaOnline Editor Chipmunk
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It is also thought by some researchers that the tradition comes from Europe, but was applied to the hedgehog.
Ian - Pagan Editor
"We can never obtain peace in the outer world until we make peace with ourselves."
"With realization of one's own potential and self-confidence in one's ability, one can build a better world. "
Dalai Lama
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I remember reading that somewhere. There is an English poem that refers to Candlemas and predictions for spring:
As the light grows longer The cold grows stronger If Candlemas be fair and bright Winter will have another flight If Candlemas be cloud and rain Winter will be gone and not come again A farmer should on Candlemas day Have half his corn and half his hay On Candlemas day if thorns hang a drop You can be sure of a good pea crop
In Alaska, February 2 is observed as Marmot Day rather than Groundhog Day because few groundhogs exist in the state. I think we (here in Reno) should have a Marmot Day because we see them quite often around here.
Walk in Peace and Harmony. Phyllis Doyle Burns Avatar: Fair Helena by Rackham, Public Domain
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BellaOnline Editor Chipmunk
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Hi Phyllis, just to say that Germany also has a historical connection to Groundhog Day.
It isn�t celebrated as such, only as far as quoting old farming proverbs, but it seems that centuries ago the behaviour of hedgehogs was used as a barometer to gauge the coming weather, there are even little proverbs and poems about them from that time, which German emigrants took with them when they left the country. So many customs and traditions are linked one way or another.
Now hedgehogs are a protected species in Germany, modern life has not really been treating them well.
'Marmot Day' does sound fun!
Francine A. McKenna - German Culture Editor German Culture Site - German Culture Facebook Avatar: HOHENZOLLERNBRÃœCKE Cologne with CATHEDRAL and LUDWIG MUSEUM. The Bridge a symbol of how Germany was rebuilt after WWII, it was left in ruins, the Cathedral with roots in the 13th century represents the country's history, Museum of Modern Art the present day.
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That is very interesting, Francine, thank you. I love hedgehogs! Thank you for sharing the information.
Do you know any of the old farming proverbs that you can share with us?
Walk in Peace and Harmony. Phyllis Doyle Burns Avatar: Fair Helena by Rackham, Public Domain
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BellaOnline Editor Chipmunk
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Don't get me started Phyllis, I have a thing about German farming proverbs, seem to collect them, you will get tired hearing them.
Will send some over but to start here is a short one about Candlemas and hedgehogs:
Wenn der Igel Lichtmess seinen Schatten sieht, so Kriecht er wieder auf sechs Wochen ins Loch.
When the hedgehog sees his shadow at Candlemas, He will crawl back into his hole for another six weeks
So very similar to the Groundhog stories, and it apparently dates from the 17th Century.
Too cold for any self respecting hedgehog to make any effort to come out of his nest at the moment, so not sure what that means.
Francine A. McKenna - German Culture Editor German Culture Site - German Culture Facebook Avatar: HOHENZOLLERNBRÃœCKE Cologne with CATHEDRAL and LUDWIG MUSEUM. The Bridge a symbol of how Germany was rebuilt after WWII, it was left in ruins, the Cathedral with roots in the 13th century represents the country's history, Museum of Modern Art the present day.
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Too cold for any self respecting hedgehog to make any effort to come out of his nest at the moment, so not sure what that means.
Later spring, maybe? Or Hedgehog just loves his warm, cozy home a lot. Please do send more proverbs -- I like reading them.
Walk in Peace and Harmony. Phyllis Doyle Burns Avatar: Fair Helena by Rackham, Public Domain
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BellaOnline Editor Chipmunk
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Francine A. McKenna - German Culture Editor German Culture Site - German Culture Facebook Avatar: HOHENZOLLERNBRÃœCKE Cologne with CATHEDRAL and LUDWIG MUSEUM. The Bridge a symbol of how Germany was rebuilt after WWII, it was left in ruins, the Cathedral with roots in the 13th century represents the country's history, Museum of Modern Art the present day.
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Wonderful! Thanks, Francine.
If anyone else has any proverbs or poems from your country on the spring predictions, I would love to read them.
Walk in Peace and Harmony. Phyllis Doyle Burns Avatar: Fair Helena by Rackham, Public Domain
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Chipmunk
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Chipmunk
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Spring has come when you can put your foot on three daisies.
English proverb.
Linda Heywood
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