It's Candlemas...

[mothhawk]

Candlemas Day/Groundhog Day....

The sky is clear blue, and there is glorious sunshine here.

If Punxsutawney Phil were here he would definitely declare he could see a shadow, and say we were in for 6 more weeks of wintry weather.

[Nicos]

Groundhog Day???...what again????

[Nicos]

mothhawth...we've just had hailstones!


I just read this...

"Thousands of years ago when animalism and nature worship were prevalent, people in the area of Europe now known as Germany believed that the badger had the power to predict the coming of spring. They watched the badger to know when to plant their crops. By the time the first German immigrants settled in Pennsylvania they probably understood that this was not true but the tradition continued.

Unfortunately there were not many badgers in Pennsylvania so the groundhog substituted the badger. Tradition has it that if the groundhog will sees its shadow on February 2 it will be frightened by it and will return to its burrow, indicating that there will be six more weeks of winter. If it does not see its shadow, then spring is on the way."

Didn't know that!

[rustylady]

Some information and traditions for Candlemas Day here Folklore and traditions associated with February - Candlemas Day

[scarey55]

That's really interesting RL - thank you. Interestingly, I saw my first snowdrops on Thursday. I always think they are a sign of better things to come.

[PyreneesPlot]

Yesterday we had 20 degrees and so lots of shadows. Today the torrential rain is due to turn to snow tonight and its 3 degrees.

We saw snowdrops on Thursday, too.

[roitelet]

We have sunshine and hail showers and it is colder than it has been. We will just have to wait and see!!!

[Glutton4...]

We've had sunshine. Definitely shadows out there this morning.

*Turns round and burrows back in...

[bramble]

Lots of sunshine . A beautiful day today. I played pitch and putt and didn't feel cold for the first time since winter started.