Phil Springs into Action

February 2nd is Groundhog day and we all know what that means - somewhere in Pennsylvania, in a town we can't spell, a certain honorable warm-blooded groundhog named Phil will emerge from his cozy simulated tree trunk to predict the fate of winter. No shadow = early spring, shadow = six more weeks of winter.

Doesn't that seem backward? If the sun is shining, wouldn't that lead one to believe that spring is on its way? Not so, apparently. The tradition dates back to the German celebration of Candlemas. Celebrated halfway between the winter and spring solstices, German folklore said,

For as the sun shines on Candlemas Day,
So far will the snow swirl until May.
For as the snow blows on Candlemas Day,
So far will the sun shine before May.

When the Germans settled in Pennsylvania in the early 1800s, they brought this folklore with them, though it's not certain how the groundhog entered the picture. Some say it is from the Delaware Indians who settled in Punxsutawney in the 1700s and believed that their ancestors took the form of animals.

In 2011, Punxsutawney Phil is reported to have not seen his shadow, thereby predicting an early Spring. Thanks, Phil! I owe you one, buddy.

Some fun facts about Groundhog Day:

1. The Groundhog's official name is Punxsutawney Phil, Seer of Seers, Sage of Sages, Prognosticator of Prognosticators, and Weather Prophet Extraordinary. I think I'll call him Phil.

2. PETA is lobbying for Phil to be replaced by a robot. Sigh...

3. The groundhog's handlers are said to speak Groundhogese and translate his prediction to the thousands of eager weather freaks and Phil fans at Gobbler's Knob. Where does one learn such a marketable skill?

4. Phil has seen his shadow 99 out of 155 recorded years and according to The National Climatic Data Center, has been right only 39% of the time. If he were the CEO of my company, he'd be fired.

5. Phil's rival for Weather Prophet Extraordinaire, Staten Island Chuck, bit Mayor Bloomberg in 2009 when he reached in to pull the little guy out. Uh, can you blame him?

6. The other 364 days of the year, Phil resides at the local library where he dines on dog food and ice cream, though legends tells us he's drinking Groundhog punch and chilling with his wife Phyllis. Phil and Phyllis. Awwww.

7. Phil is emerging into the digital age. He can now text you his prediction every February 2nd. But you won't be able to read it, because it will be in Groundhogese.