|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 17,644
Highest Posting Power Known to Humanity
|
OP
Highest Posting Power Known to Humanity
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 17,644 |
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
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,583
BellaOnline Editor Chipmunk
|
BellaOnline Editor Chipmunk
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,583 |
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
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 17,644
Highest Posting Power Known to Humanity
|
OP
Highest Posting Power Known to Humanity
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 17,644 |
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
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 1,327
BellaOnline Editor Chipmunk
|
BellaOnline Editor Chipmunk
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 1,327 |
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 17,644
Highest Posting Power Known to Humanity
|
OP
Highest Posting Power Known to Humanity
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 17,644 |
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
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 1,327
BellaOnline Editor Chipmunk
|
BellaOnline Editor Chipmunk
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 1,327 |
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 17,644
Highest Posting Power Known to Humanity
|
OP
Highest Posting Power Known to Humanity
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 17,644 |
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
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 1,327
BellaOnline Editor Chipmunk
|
BellaOnline Editor Chipmunk
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 1,327 |
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 17,644
Highest Posting Power Known to Humanity
|
OP
Highest Posting Power Known to Humanity
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 17,644 |
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
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 1,296
Chipmunk
|
Chipmunk
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 1,296 |
Spring has come when you can put your foot on three daisies.
English proverb.
Linda Heywood
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 17,644
Highest Posting Power Known to Humanity
|
OP
Highest Posting Power Known to Humanity
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 17,644 |
I like it.
I always found this to be true:
Never lose hope, never fear, When winter ends, spring is here. - PDBurns
Walk in Peace and Harmony. Phyllis Doyle Burns Avatar: Fair Helena by Rackham, Public Domain
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 1,327
BellaOnline Editor Chipmunk
|
BellaOnline Editor Chipmunk
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 1,327 |
That is a super one Phyllis, so positive. Most of the German Bauernregeln, Farmers Proverbs, concern the weather, well as their lives depended upon it that was their main interest I guess, and here two for today 5th February and St. Agathe�s Day.
She is the patron saint of all types of things including these days breast cancer, she had her own cut off as a torture, and died while imprisoned in Sicily in 251.
An St. Agathe Sonnenschein, bringt recht viel Korn und Wein. When the sun shines on St. Agathe�s day there will be excellent harvests. (Corn and Wine)
However:
Ist Agathe klar und hell kommt der Fr�hling nicht so schnell. If St. Agathe�s day is clear and bright then Spring is still some time away.
In German of course they rhyme, which does add an extra �something� that is not there in the English translation.
And it is quite �grey� out there at the moment so�����.. but one that was definitely accurate in the last months is:
Ist der Nussbaum fruechteschwer, kommt ein harter Winter her. When the nut trees are full of nuts, then it is going to be a very hard winter.
And goodness me, that was so true this year.
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 1,296
Chipmunk
|
Chipmunk
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 1,296 |
It is totally grey and blowing a gale out today. I've lost my back gates and part of the fence!
Roll on spring, sunshine and warm weather I say.
No matter how long the winter, spring is sure to follow.
Linda Heywood
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
We take forum safety very seriously here at BellaOnline. Please be sure to read through our Forum Guidelines. Let us know if you have any questions or comments!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
This forum uses cookies to ensure smooth navigation from page to page of a thread. If you choose to register and provide your email, that email is solely used to get your password to you and updates on any topics you choose to watch. Nothing else. Ask with any questions!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|