2 February 2022
Today is Candlemas, Groundhog Day, and the astronomical halfway point between the winter solstice and the spring equinox. This halfway point, called a cross-quarter day, is the reason the holidays exist.
In the astronomical year there are four halfway points between the solstices and equinoxes (green arrowheads in diagram; click on diagram for larger version).
February’s cross-quarter day is especially significant because we are coming out of darkness into longer daylight and the growing season. Our ancestors were so excited by the prospect that they created holidays on 2 February to celebrate the halfway point.
For the ancient Celts this day is Imbolc, the beginning of the spring.
In the Christian tradition it is Candlemas, a festival to commemorate the purification of Mary and the presentation of Jesus in the Temple. Candles are traditionally blessed during the celebration.
And in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania it’s Groundhog Day. If the groundhog “Punxsutawney Phil” sees his shadow today (because the sun is shining) winter will go on for six more weeks. If he doesn’t (because it’s overcast) then we’re in for an early spring.
The sun rose and so did the groundhog to make his prediction. Here is today’s sunrise in Pittsburgh, about 80 miles from Punxsutawney.
Yup, the sun was shining and Phil saw his shadow. Punxsutawney Phil says we’ll have 6 more weeks of winter. Watch the 15-minute celebration here.
Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow during Groundhog Day’s festivities on Wednesday and has forecast six more weeks of winter. https://t.co/XyQQBtLo59
— Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (@PittsburghPG) February 2, 2022
(photos by Kate St. John and from Wikimedia Commons; click on the captions to see the originals)
What a crazy tradition! It put Punxsutawney on the map. Glad they were able to have an audience today. Wish he could predict how much more snow we’ll be getting.