In the silence of February mornings, we still wake to the glacial windowpanes and air so pure and thin it cuts like crystal through the wind. We are reminded during this time of year that the icy frost lies just beyond the door, so we make ourselves content with home and familiar things. On February 2nd many of us wait patiently, hoping that Punxsutawney Phil will not see his shadow and spring, spring will rush in to greet us.
Groundhog Day is a goofy tradition, isn’t it? What ever made us think a subterranean rodent could know anything about the next six weeks of weather? Nonetheless, the news cameras focus on the furry critter every February 2nd to see whether he sees his shadow darts back into his hole, and thus dooms the entire nation to another six weeks of winter.
So where did the goofy tradition come from, how did it start?
In 1723, the Delaware Indians settled Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania as a campsite halfway between the Allegheny and the Susquehanna Rivers. The town is 90 miles northeast of Pittsburgh, at the intersection of Route 36 and Route 119. The Delawares considered groundhogs honorable ancestors. According to the original creation beliefs of the Delaware Indians, their forebears began life as animals in "Mother Earth" and emerged centuries later to hunt and live as men.
The name Punxsutawney comes from the Indian name for the location
"ponksad-uteney" which means "the town of the sandflies."
The name woodchuck comes from the Indian legend of "Wojak,
the groundhog" considered by them to be their ancestral grandfather.
When German settlers arrived in the 1700s, they brought a tradition known as Candlemas Day, which has an early origin in the pagan celebration of Imbolc, which is also call the Festival of Lights, it is a time when the pagans honor the Celtic Triple Goddess Brid (pronounced breed), also called Brigid, Brighid, Brigit, or Bride, depending on location.)
St. Brighid is the Goddess of Fire and Fertility, she is a wondrous Healer, Protector, and Patron of Creative Inspiration and She is the Mother to all Memory and Preserver of All Knowledge. Brighid is also the Protector of Animals and Children.
Imbolc comes at the mid-point between the Winter Solstice and the Spring Equinox. Belief held that if the weather was fair, the second half of Winter would be stormy and cold. For the early Christians in Europe, it was the custom on Candlemas Day for clergy to bless candles and distribute them to the people in the dark of Winter. A lighted candle was placed in each window of the home. The day's weather continued to be important. If the sun came out February 2, halfway between Winter and Spring, it meant six more weeks of wintry weather.
Imbolc is also a day to give thanks, the word Imbolc literally translates as “in milk.” In ancient time, mild from sheep was crucial to a tribe’s survival of Winter. Ewes must become pregnant and give birth before they are able to lactate and produce milk. As Goddess of Fertility, Brighid presides over the birth of newborn lambs, which occurs at this time of year.
So the ritual of pouring milk or cream into the Earth, thank her, nurturing her, and thus returning the fertility and bounty She so generously gives to us.
The earliest American reference to Groundhog Day can be found at the Pennsylvania Dutch Folklore Center at Franklin and Marshall College: February 4, 1841 - from Morgantown, Berks County (Pennsylvania) storekeeper James Morris' diary..."Last Tuesday, the 2nd, was Candlemas day, the day on which, according to the Germans, the Groundhog peeps out of his winter quarters and if he sees his shadow he pops back for another six weeks nap, but if the day be cloudy he remains out, as the weather is to be moderate."
Now I know you may be asking what does this have to do with my friend Rhea Picket, from my story yesterday. The simple truth is Rhea was a pagan, a witch to many of the children in our neighbor, someone that was not spoken to on many occasions, whose home you did not trick or treat at, the tales and the rumors flew wildly about our neighborhood. I however was raised to love everyone regardless of color, creed or whatever.
As I grew to know Rhea, I grew to see they were falsehoods, fabrications from people who were afraid. Rhea was a wonderful, delightful and yes magical woman.
She taught me to believe that God made Man that a small piece of Him lays deep within each and every one of us. That piece remains searching for…towards our Creator. Religion dates back to over 14,000 years ago. God has instilled it in us, wanting, welcoming, confessing His love.
I feel because of Rhea’s open and heart felt conversions I grew up embracing the idea that there is more to religion than fear.
She also taught me that life here on Earth is an intensely reciprocal arrangement. As William Wordsworth once wrote (perhaps inspired by the Poet St Brighid), “Nature never did betray the heart that loved her.”
We must end the insensitive and detrimental practice of taking from our planet without giving back. Rhea use to tell me “If you cut down a tree, thank it and plant another one in its place. If you harvest the land, replenish the soil. These are the ideas that come from the common sense of natural law and the simple magic of the universe.”
So today, on Groundhogs Day, Candlemas, Imbolc or whatever religious Holiday you choose to name this day, embrace Mother Earth, give thanks to your Creator and vow to help make the changes so we don’t live in a world with undrinkable water, un-breathable air, and un-plant able soil. Thank you Rhea for the many blessings you have given to me in your lifetime.
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