Not Exactly Meteorological Science As Much As Folklore And Celebration

 

Year by year many of us are excited with the anticipation to see what the prognosticator of prognosticators is going to prognosticate for this winter’s final prognosis.

Got that straight?

Punxsutawney Phil being a little too furry and quiet to be a meteorologist even though he speaks Groundhogese which of whom only the President of the Punxsutawney and Gobbler’s Knob Inner Circle can understand, being the only reason why we can only guess he is a prognosticator not to be confused with a procrastinator like me.

Live from Gobbler’s Knob in 2008. Can you remember the Prognosticator’s prediction?

 

Why do we celebrate a day that some of us with a green thumb call a garden pest and many other other inappropriate names along with other unpronounceable verbs and adjectives during the growing season? Because, Punxsutawney Phil the beloved ground vermin in which we use as the Icon of legend who gives us a mid-winter break from the long winter months with a reason to celebrate the halfway point of the season.

Is your cup half empty or is it half full should we say about this yearly tradition? Those whose livelihood depends on the snow along with skiers and winter sports fanatics want six more weeks where those who make their living outdoors and some of us who prefer the warmer weather activities are wishing for only four more weeks of winter.  Just to think the groundhog believers are up early before sunrise with anticipation to get the news from Hobbler’s Knob in Punxsutawney Pennsylvania. This is not to mention the Punxsutawney Migration where Punxsutawney Phil worshipers from all over the state let alone the nation go to party and celebrate the furry little prognosticator’s prediction or the meteorological foe according to folklore and his followers for the next four to six weeks.

For those of you who are already placing your bets the odds are against you. The critics say Phil is not as accurate as much as Phil fans like me take the prognostication of our furry little friend with a grain of salt. Or at the very least, until next year when we will be anticipating another of his traditional prognosis since 1887 or for 126 years this year. Not exactly the Farmer’s Almanac but we don’t really celebrate the Almanac’s Day every year now do we? However the Almanac is rich in predictions since 1792 when George Washington was still president. Just think as though Phil and the Farmer’s Almanac have one thing in common and it is not exactly meteorology only prognosis although the Almanac has a few more gardening tips, recipes and other information than Phil does, and more. We have to remember Phil’s is instinctual not educated prognosis unlike the prognosis in the Farmer’s Almanac. We should look forward to Phil as well as the heritage the Almanac brings while thinking of both as tradition and enjoyed by many. We may have to remind Phil he has about ninety five years of tradition and not just folklore to keep up with the Farmer’s Almanac. I need to remember that Groundhog’s Day is a tradition of the Pennsylvania Amish Community and may be more than just folklore. This could be another story all together with the Amish and their strong beliefs. Somehow I do not think Phil is too worried about keeping up with tradition or lore.  Just the anxiety of someone disturbing him from his winter slumber and deciding whether he may want to jump back into his hole which maybe just be enough for Phil to handle every February Second.

 I can’t say that I am a Punxsutawney Phil Worshiper but I have become quite fond of our furry friend. Whether it is four or six more weeks Phil gives us hope for a better day tomorrow as well as a celebration that warms the hearts of many even if we can’t warm the weather around us. Ground Hog Day is not a National Holiday but it is on a Saturday which makes Groundhog Day the next best day to a holiday this year. Whether it is a pre Valentine’s Day Romantic Mid-winter getaway for two or a fun filled weekend of winter activity with the family and friends, do what Phil, The Inner Circle and the rest of the Borough of Punxsutawney will be doing. Listening for Phil’s awaited word of Groundhogese there in Hobbler’s Knob when we will all hope that Phil does not see his shadow and jump directly back into his burrow for the rest of his long winter nap and stay out in the borough and party with us. 



 

For more information on Punxsutawney Phil and the Ground Hog Day Celebration go to the official Punxsutawney Ground Hog Day Club Website by Clicking Here!

 

Have a Happy and Safe Ground Hog’s Day!!!