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GROUNDHOG DAY February 2

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Old Scottish saying:

“If Candlemas is bright and clear There will be two more Winters in the year”

David Phillips, of Environment Canada, Saturday morning 31 January 2009, says that it will be a “warmer February, and that the groundhog will NOT see his shadow”.

Celebrated in North American on February 2nd. The groundhog or Woodchuck, foretells six more weeks of Winter if he see his shadow.

Groundhog Day gets its tradition from European celebration of CANDLEMAS.

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01/02/2009 08:28 PM

The Virgin Mary was commemorated on February 2, candles were blessed on this day called CANDLEMAS, and different folklores were associated with the day.

The Germans, added the belief of an animal, the HEDGEHOG , would foretell the remainder of Winter.

Groundhog Day came to North America in the late 1800s.

Thanks to a newspaper editor and a Congressman, PUXUTAWNY, Pennsylvania festival (Puxatawny Phil) was started and continues today. (Movie: GROUNDHOG DAY with Bill Murray)

Here in Canada, celebrations are held in Wiarton, Ontario with 'Wiarton Willie' and several other parts of Canada and the U.S.

The Man in the Tilley Hat

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