| This year to celebrate Groundhog Day, send out | | | | proverbial Scotch poem, |
| a few free e-cards to people of your choice. It is | | | | "If Candlemas Day is bright and clear, |
| sure to please them up, show your appreciation, | | | | Come, Winter, have another flight; |
| and it does not cost you a penny. | | | | If Candlemas brings clouds and rain, |
| Groundhog Day is annual event that marks the | | | | Go Winter, and come not again,"which gives the |
| reaction of a groundhog to its own shadow. It is | | | | weather on Candlemas significance without regard |
| on Candlemas, or February 2nd that the | | | | to a particular animal. Meanwhile, a German couplet |
| groundhog, a stocky, burrowing animal also known | | | | emphasizes the size of the shadow cast by the |
| as the woodchuck, awakes from its hibernation | | | | groundhog, or other animal: |
| and peeks out of its hole. | | | | "For as the sun shines on Candlemas Day, |
| According to tradition, if the groundhog is scared | | | | So far will the snow swirl until the May." |
| by its shadow, it returns to the warmth | | | | If you want to celebrate this fun holiday literally, |
| underground for another six weeks. However, if it | | | | by observing the hole of a groundhog or similar |
| doesn't see its shadow, in the case of a cloudy | | | | creature for its appearance, you see that there |
| day, it remains above ground for the quickly | | | | are several possibilities as to what you will actually |
| approaching spring. | | | | be watching for. |
| The tradition originated in Europe, possibly spread | | | | This is also great chance to learn more about |
| North by Roman legions, where centuries ago, | | | | other natural signs to which farmers and |
| people relied upon the predictions of the badger (a | | | | nature-lovers pay attention. The symbol of |
| relative of the groundhog) as signaling whether or | | | | groundhog offers various avenue of exploration |
| not to begin planting that year's crops. | | | | for those less inclined to bear the cold in order to |
| Though by the time the practice was brought to | | | | see the groundhog. |
| the United States by German and British settlers, | | | | Draw, paint, or otherwise depict the animal, and |
| it had been largely discredited as an accurate way | | | | learn about its natural habitat and way of life. You |
| of foretelling the coming of spring, the ritual harks | | | | can also make a project out of building a |
| back to a time when the only weather forecasts | | | | three-dimensional hole from which it can surface. |
| in existence were available through interpretation | | | | Place your construction underneath a lamp to |
| of natural signs. | | | | recreate Groundhog Day on any day! |
| Groundhog Day is commemorated all over the | | | | I send out way over a hundred free e-cards a |
| United States, thanks to the efforts of | | | | month, and everyone thanks me for them. It is a |
| Groundhog Clubs, local and state organizations, | | | | great way for me to communicate with my |
| and the media-friendly aspect of a furry creature | | | | friends, some who live on the other side of the |
| emerging from its hole to foretell how soon we | | | | world, and it never costs me anything. |
| can expect spring to arrive. According to a | | | | |