Thursday, February 02, 2012

Can't Get Enough of that "Phil"!!

http://www.chicagotribune.com/videogallery/67802620/News/Raw-Video-Punxsutawney-Phil-sees-shadow

"Hear Ye! Hear Ye! Many shadows I do see, six more weeks of winter it must be," was announced early this morning to a crowd of approximately 18,000 fans of Punxsutawney Phil who gathered for this time-honored traditional celebration held every year at Gobbler's Knob near Pittsburgh, PA. 

Of course, technically speaking, we will have six more weeks of winter regardless of Phil's "prediction" (which is already decided in secret by the annual Members of the "Inner Circle" who wear top hats and tuxedos), but Groundhog Day is such a fun celebration in Punxsutawney, PA with an entire day of food and music!

(Inner Circle member and Phil's co-handler John Griffiths holds Punxsutawney Phil on Groundhog Day 2012)
 
 
Groundhog Days' origins began with the ancient Celtic Pagan celebration of Imbolg/Imbolc and then eventually became the Christian holiday of Candlemas ("candle night").  The superstition being of course the very heart of it with the belief that if a hibernating animal (originally the badger) casts a shadow on February 2nd, winter would last another six weeks. If no shadow was seen, legend said Spring would come early.

Phil lives in a library in Punxsutawney the rest of the year where he resides with his "wife" Phyllis. On the early morning of Groundhog Day, he is taken to Gobbler's Knob where he is kept in a heated, simulated log until it is time for him to make his personal appearance as the crowd enthusiastically calls to him ~ "Phil! Phil! Phil!"  He is then brought out by the President of the Inner Circle and one of his handlers to have a little 'chat" in "groundhogese." After which the President annouces Phil's prediction to all watching.

Needless to say, Phil is without a doubt the most famous groundhog in the entire United States. We love ya ,Phil!!!

HAPPY GROUNDHOG DAY!!!!

4 comments:

  1. Hi Kim ;o) Great post! I didn't realize Bill Murray attends the ceremony, that is so cool!
    From what I heard, our Wiarton Willie, predicted an early spring and the Winnipeg Willow predicted 6 more weeks of winter, like your Phil, so it will be interesting, who is right?? Have a great day!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Stacy ~ That is so funny that you mentioned Wiarton Willie and Winnipeg Willow! I never knew about Canada's Groundhog Day celebrations until this morning I read about these guys on the New York Times website.

      That is so great ~ I love it!

      Blessings my friend,

      Kim

      Delete
  2. Holy Cow, Wilie and Phil ... love those names for the groundhogs. Groundhog Day is one of my most favorite movies. Didn't know about Bill Murry though, I think he now lives in the Hudson Valley which is where I would love to move to, on a small farm. Someday soon, someday soon.

    Blessings on this Imbolc !

    ReplyDelete
  3. This is a cute post, no ground hogs here, wombats could be close?

    ReplyDelete