Ground Hog's Day

When German settlers arrived in the 1700s, they brought a tradition known as Candlemas Day, which has an early origin in the pagan celebration of Imbolc. It came at the mid-point between the Winter Solstice and the Spring Equinox. Superstition held that if the weather was fair, the second half of Winter would be stormy and cold. For the early Christians in Europe, it was the custom on Candlemas Day for clergy to bless candles and distribute them to the people in the dark of Winter. A lighted candle was placed in each window of the home. The day's weather continues to be important. If the sun comes out February 2, halfway between Winter and Spring, it means six more weeks of wintry weather.

According to the old English saying:

If Candlemas be fair and bright,
Winter has another flight.
If Candlemas brings clouds and rain,
Winter will not come again.

My source also indicates that Punxsy doesn't very often NOT see his shadow....A 'shortened winter' has only happened in 1890, 1903, 1934, 1950 1970, 1975, 1983, 1986, 1988, 1990, 1995, 1997, 1999 and last year, 2007!

Unfortunately today, the ground hog has spoken and we are doomed to six more weeks of winter...