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The Origin of Groundhog Day

Does this look like a meteorologist to you? If you grew up in America, you’ve probably heard it all your life: “If the groundhog sees his shadow, it’s six more weeks of winter.  Otherwise, it’s an early spring.”  Strictly going by the calendar, we’re getting six more weeks of winter after February 2, since that’s more or less the exact middle of winter (so it’s six and a half more weeks of winter, technically).  So will we or won’t we get warm weather in early March, and see crocuses poking their heads up before expected?  Almost certainly, due to global warming.  But this groundhog business predates global warming, so what’s the idea in the first place? First we must recognize that the groundhog is horning in on another holiday: Candlemas.  Candlemas is a Christian holiday that doesn’t get the attention it used to.  It represents the presentation of Jesus at the Temple.  Every child in a Jewish family (and most importantly the firstborn son) is to be presented at the tem