Groundhog Day: Feb 2


Is winter over yet? In many parts of North America, winter weather can start as early as October and last up to half a year. By February, many people are fed up with the ice and snow. Groundhog Day is a tradition related to the winter blues . It started in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania in the 1800’s and spread throughout the US and Canada.

On February 2, people wait to hear if the groundhog, a rodent that hibernates in the winter, emerges from its burrow and sees its shadow. A sunny day signifies there will be six more weeks of winter! If it’s a cloudy day and the groundhog doesn’t see its shadow, spring is just around the corner . This superstition was borrowed from the European Candlemas Day, which suggested that if the weather was sunny at the midpoint between winter and spring, winter would last for six more weeks. Other countries have similar traditions to Groundhog Day.

In Serbia, if a bear gets scared by its own shadow after coming out of hibernation in February, it will go back to sleep for 40 more days of winter. In Portugal, if the heavens are crying on February 2nd, winter is over. Are your fingers crossed for an early spring?

 

READING QUESTIONS

  1. How long does winter last in your country?
  2. What types of holidays are there in February?
  3. Do you like the weather in February? Why or why not?
  4. Are you superstitious ? (Can you say this word properly?)