Groundhog Day (and other folklore)

[Treecko]

Today is February 2 which is considered all over America and parts of Canada Groundhog Day. According to folklore, if it is cloudy when a groundhog emerges from its burrow on this day and doesn't see it's shadow cause it's too cloudy, then spring will come early; if it is sunny, the groundhog will supposedly see its shadow and retreat back into its burrow, and the winter weather will continue for six more weeks. Winter meaning winter weather, not the season of winter which ends in March in North America either way. Many places all over NA celebrate by watching a groundhog emerge from it's burrow early in the morning. The largest place for this Groundhog Day celebration is Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania where a popular tradition that thousands of people attend each year. (Apparently 20,00 people attended this year, if I recall correctly from the news.) The famous groundhog there is named Punxsutawney Phil.

It just happened at the one in Punxsutawney and guess what? The groundhog did see his shadow so that suppository mean 6 more weeks of winter! Yay..... -_-

For people who live in the US and Canada, who do you think of Groundhog Day? Do you think a little beaver-like rodent could actually predict the weather and more winter? Or do you think everyone is crazy for doing this tradition?

A question for people outside of the US and Canada and other areas who don't celebrate Groundhog Day, (just so they don't feel left out! ) do you believe any folklore that's recognized all over the world or just in your area? Anyone in North America can answer this question as well.

I really don't believe Groundhog Day. That poor Groundhog gets pulled out of it's home. D: I just don't see how a rodent can predict the weather. His prediction sometimes does comes though , but there's been times where it doesn't see it's shadow and we have 6 months of winter anyways. :( It's a fun and cute tradition though. I really hope his predictions doesn't come true this year cause I'm honestly sick at winter at this point. As for other folklore, I really don't believe it either, but some of them really do have interesting stories and traditions behind them.

 

[Puddle]

It's just another crazy tradition that people do to try and make life fun. Which is really stupid and it's always gonna see it's shadow unless it's so incredibly cloudy that it doesn't reflect a shadow. It's just dumb.

 

[Tsutarja]

February 2nd is just an ordinary day for me. I live in Florida, so it wouldn't matter if Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow or not, the weather would be the same in Florida regardless :p

 

[Astraea]

There are more Festivals and Rituals all over the world than days in an Year!^_^

 

[Sirfetch’d]

February 2nd is just an ordinary day for me. I live in Florida, so it wouldn't matter if Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow or not, the weather would be the same in Florida regardless :p

Pretty much the same here for me in Alabama. I didn't even know today was Groundhog Day until I saw this thread so that shows you how much I really care about it haha.

 

[acatfrommars]

Haha, I don't believe in groundhog day but it is funny tradition though. I enjoy it! Also, I knew there would be 6 more weeks anyway we're supposed to have a snowstorm this week. :c

Don't need a groundhog when you have science.