Groundhog Punxsutawney Phil Predicts 6 More Weeks Of Winter
By Ronee, Gaea News NetworkWednesday, February 3, 2010
PUNXSUTAWNEY (GaeaTimes.com)- Groundhog Punxsutawney Phil predicted 6 more weeks of winter. The prediction disappointed the crowd who were eagerly waiting for it to come out with good news. Groundhogs in Canada as well as America saw their shadows as they emerged from their burrow. It snatched away the smile from people who were eagerly waiting for an early spring.
According to myth, if the groundhog sees its shadow on February 2, the medieval Christian holiday of Candlemas, the winter is said to last for 6 more weeks. On Tuesday morning, groundhogs, Wiarton Willie, Nova Scotia’s Shubenacadie Sam and American Wood Chuck Punxsutawney Phil saw their shadows predicting 6 more weeks of winter. In the Town of South Bruce Peninsula which is celebrating 54th year of “Groundhog Day,” thousands of people reportedly gathered to get a glimpse of the groundhog. In Pennsylvania, Punxsutawney Phil gave the same prediction as it gave last year, disappointing many.
There are various versions of the start of “Groundhog Day” celebration. In Wiarton, the tradition apparently started 2,000 years back when Celtic tribes used animals for prediction of weather conditions as it was commonly believed that they have a close bond with nature and could perceive the small changes taking pace. According to some, the tradition was enunciated by German settlers who brought Candelmas celebration to North America during 1700s.
According to reports, Staten Island’s groundhog Chuck was a little more decent this year. Last year it supposedly bit the Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s finger when he was trying to get the groundhog out of it’s burrow. This year, he wore gloves for precaution. According to groundhog Punxsutawney Phil’s predictions, it is 6 more weeks of winter. Whether the furry forecaster is right or wrong, time will reveal.
