Groundhog Predictions = Bunk

I meant to open this column with some light-hearted joking about taking weather forecasts from rodents and fell down a rabbit hole. (And rabbits aren’t rodents.) Prepare yourself for a lot of useless information. It might come in handy next time you compete in Trivial Pursuit.

It is true that the groundhog is a rodent. Sometimes known as a woodchuck of tongue-twister fame, these rodents belong to the group of large ground squirrels (family Sciuridae) known as marmots. Gophers are also ground squirrels, but are rather puny in size next to groundhogs, which can weigh 13 pounds. The rodents I’ve known as chipmunks are actually 13-spotted ground squirrels, Dennis has repeatedly told me. (It’s easier to say chipmunk, though.) Gophers are actually pocket gophers, burrowing rodents that can make extensive tunnels underground and destroy farms and gardens. (No wonder we shoot them.)

I wondered why we persist in taking meteorological advice from a rodent, and found that Groundhog’s Day (February second) was already established as Candlemas. That time period (Feb. 1-2) is halfway between the winter solstice and the spring equinox. So religions took it to celebrate the end of winter and the return of light. They would bless and pass out candles. The size and amount of candles supposedly had something to do with how long winter would hang around. Lit candles symbolize protection and prosperity.

The Irish had a saying (they usually do) to go with this date:

“If Candlemas Day be fair and bright,

Winter will have another fight.

If Candlemas Day brings cloud and rain,

Winter won’t come again.”

So that ties in with Punxsutawney Phil and whether he sees his shadow or not. The Germans used a hedgehog, which is not a rodent at all, in place of the woodchuck, because they had a lot of those around.

A quick note here: P Phil is rarely correct, only getting it right about 30 percent of the time. And how can he still be making predictions? Wikipedia tells me woodchucks in the wild might live up to six years, but usually only two to three. In captivity, a groundhog might last 14 years. (See what good housing and regular feeding can do for you? Plus they’re vegetarians.)

Those Pennsylvanians have been perpetuating a scam on us for 138 years. We must be pretty gullible. Phil has great press, which is why we’re still listening to him. We do like our traditions. This is only the 21st time the rodent didn’t see his shadow. Supposedly this means an early spring. I have a yard full of fresh, deep snow that says winter in not giving up easily.

Back to Candlemas: this is traditionally the 40th day of and the conclusion of the Christmas/Epiphany season, so it’s okay to leave your Christmas tree up until February second. (I have friends who will be thrilled with that tidbit of knowledge. Ashley-Ann, I’m looking at you.)

Syriac Pope Sergius I, who was pope back during the years from 687-701 AD, established a procession for blessing the candles before Holy Mass, the start, I guess, of Candlemas.

Pancake Day is also celebrated on this date. Farmers would use surplus flour to make pancakes. This was to help insure a good crop in the coming summer (I guess you’d work harder to get a crop if you don’t have any left?). The round shape and golden color of the cakes symbolized light, sunshine, and the return of nice weather.

Candlemas was also known as IMBOLC. The celebration of IMBOLC actually originated with the Celts, so we’re back to those Irish. This is about as deep into the rabbit hole as I went.

However you yearn for spring and the end of winter, spring will arrive when it arrives. Light some candles and stay warm until then.