Punxsutawney Phil predicts an early spring

Feb. 2—As has been widely reported, the famous groundhog living at Gobbler's Knob in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania rose from his nook in a tree stump to survey the weather Friday morning and did not see his shadow.

Therefore, spring is just around the corner, right?

Many say it's just a superstition, but "Groundhog Day" is an important part of many traditions, and has its roots in antiquity.

Christians in Jerusalem have celebrated February 2 as "Candlemas" since 380 A.D.

Early German settlers in Pennsylvania celebrated the 40th day after the birth of Christ by lighting candles and removing their Christmas decorations.

These settlers also called February 2 "Badger Day." They believed that if a badger emerging from its den on Candlemas Day encountered a sunny day, four more weeks of winter was expected.

Pagans, whose traditions center around nature, celebrate the half-way point between the winter Solstice and the spring equinox as "Imbolc."

Groundhogs, woodchucks and bears are totem symbols for the holiday which is an important celebration in the pagan calendar.

Regardless of its origins, Groundhog Day means big business for many.

The average attendance for the Groundhog Day Festival in Punxsutawney was about 2,000 until the 1993 film "Groundhog Day" with Bill Murray and Andie McDowell. Now, crowds as large as 40,000 people descend on the tiny town in Pennsylvania. The event is even live-streamed, allowing people all over the world to watch it.

Incidentally, Punxsutawney Phil has predicted an early spring only 20 times in 138 years: 1902, 1934, 1942, 1950, 1970, 1975, 1983, 1986, 1988, 1990, 1995, 1997, 1999, 2007, 2011, 2013, 2016, 2019, 2020, and 2024.

Contact Bill Rethlake at 812-651-0876 or email bill.rethlake@greensburgdailynews.com