Alternate Reality Groundhog Day

So Groundhog Day...that amazing celebration of rodent hibernation behavior and Bill Murray thinking he's a god...is once again upon us.

Last time, we talked about the possible origins of Groundhog Day, and where our modern traditions for the day come from.  Most likely, Groundhog Day is a hold over from the celebration of Imbolc, the Celtic cross-quarter day festival marking the midpoint between Winter and Spring.  During this time, the Celts would watch to see if serpents or badgers began to appear above ground again...meaning that the weather was warming and spring was on the way.

But I got to thinking last night...what if in some alternate universe, some other tradition from Imbolc were emphasized in the modern era?  There were many things the Celts did to celebrate this important day in their calendar.  So here, in the tradition of numerous sci-fi franchises, I present three possible ways Groundhog Day might have evolved in alternate universes.

Alternate Reality #1: It's...SHEEP MILK DAY!!!

An important part of the festival of Imbolc was the the beginning of lambing season.  That of course, also meant the ewes would begin lactating.  With more fat, protein, calcium and sugar than cow's milk (and less cholesterol too!), sheep's milk is a good choice for cheese making.  So February 2nd in this universe is a day of eating!  Dishes featuring cheeses made from sheep's milk like feta, roquefort, pecorino romano and ricotta (oooh!  lasagna!) would be found in abundance, and in Punxsutawney, PA, the mayor would bring a ewe up into the town's square, milk her, and share the warm milk with everyone!  Err....okay, maybe I'll just stick to the lasagna.

Awassi sheep in Israel.  This breed is commonly kept for milking rather than wool.  Courtesy Wikipedia.

Alternate Reality #2: It's...BRIGITEEN!  Trick or Treat!

Another tradition among the Celts was to seek the blessings of Brighid, later Christianized as St. Brigid, by leaving food and drink for the goddess outside on the night before Imbolc, along with clothing to be blessed by her.  Similar to the Samhain tradition that let to the modern concept of Halloween, in this universe, Imbolc Eve took prominence, and on February 1st, families leave treats outside on the porch for the minions of Brighid to come and collect.  If they've got sense, they won't leave any clothing out for a "blessing."  I shudder to think what they might find in the morning.

St. Brigid in stained glass.  Courtesy Wikipedia.

Alternate Reality #3: It's...OPEN SEASON ON BIRDS!!!

Another legend surrounding Imbolc and related to weather is of the Cailleach - a Gaelic witch-woman representing the winter.  Legends say that on February 2nd, the Cailleach leaves her home to stock up on firewood for the rest of the winter.  If the day is clear, the Cailleach is awake and can gather plenty of wood for the remaining 6 weeks of winter.  If the day is foul, the Cailleach is asleep and gathers no wood, meaning that spring will soon arrive.  Since the Cailleach generally takes the form of a large bird in these tales (who carries the wood in its beak)...in this universe, February 2nd marks the beginning of bird-hunting season!  Hunters are encouraged to take down any bird seen carrying any sticks, thus hopefully securing an early Spring for everyone to enjoy!  And maybe a good dinner for that night as well.

The Cailleach Bheur by Altara

Meanwhile, here in this reality, February 2nd is a Saturday, and we are going to have a wonderful Groundhog Day celebration here at the museum!  The planetarium reopens after some maintenance and upgrades, and we'll be featuring Assignment: Earth, our popular program about the relationships between the Earth, Moon and Sun starring our very own groundhog!  Plus enjoy fun activities and games throughout the day, meet a real live groundhog, and witness our very own Groundhog Day prognostication featuring WAVY-TV's Jeremy Wheeler and the museum's groundhog.  It's going to be a day full of fun you won't want to miss.  Check out our website for more information.

Whatever you decide to do, Happy Groundhog Day.  Me, I think I'm going to make some lasagna.
See you in two weeks!
Carpe Noctem,
Kelly

It's...GROUNDHOG DAY!

Okay, okay...not quite.  But it is Groundhog Day tomorrow.  And the Bill Murray movie is great fun, so it deserved a shout-out.

Have you ever thought about Groundhog Day?  What a funny little holiday.  We wait to see if a little critter pops out of his hole...and then pops back in again, or hangs around looking for food.  What a strange thing to celebrate!

A groundhog.  Courtesy Wikipedia.

There are many potential origins for the celebration of Groundhog Day.  One of the most commonly cited is the Celtic festival of Imbolc.  February 2nd is a cross-quarter day, or a day that falls in between a solstice and an equinox.  In particular, Imbolc falls between the Winter Solstice (December 21) and the Spring Equinox (March 21).  In ancient times, this would have been a celebration of the coming of Spring, the start of the agricultural season, and the return of numerous critters like snakes and badgers.  The origin of the word Imbolc seems to refer to the birth of the first spring lambs, another sign that soon life will abound on the Earth again, after a long, cold winter.

In the New World, the groundhog exhibited the required behavior...staying below ground all winter long, and coming out only when the weather began to warm to forage for food.  Tradition holds that if the groundhog sees his shadow, the weather is too clear and cold and little food will be available.  Down the hole he goes, to wait a bit longer before checking for food again.  If the skies are overcast, the spring rains are on the way, and food will be abundant.  The groundhog stays out and begins to search for food.  Over the years, this has become associated with a prediction for either 6 more weeks of winter weather, or the arrival of an early spring.

In reality, no matter what Punxsutawney Phil (or any other groundhog, for that matter) sees tomorrow morning, there will still be 6 more weeks of winter.  Spring will arrive for us, as it always does, around March 21, when the Earth's northern hemisphere is tilted neither towards nor away from the Sun, and day and night are of equal length.

The Spring Equinox.  Courtesy timeanddate.com

Hmmm...I wonder if that means that in the southern hemisphere on February 2nd, they watch for some critter to predict if there will be 6 more weeks of summer.

Whether you think Groundhog Day is a silly holdover or a fine ancient tradition, it is an excellent time to learn about critters that hibernate and how the Earth gets its seasons.  And participate in some uniquely Groundhog Day fun to boot!  If you're in the area, come out to the Virginia Living Museum tomorrow for two great opportunities to celebrate the day.  If you're available around noon, join us in the museum's Wason Amphitheatre for a proper Groundhog Day celebration with a real live groundhog and WAVY-TV 10's Jeremy Wheeler.  Can't make it during the day?  Come by at 6:30pm for a Groundhog Night celebration where you can meet the museum's groundhog and take in a planetarium show starring our groundhog buddy (also called a woodchuck, whistle pig, or land-beaver) which will teach you all about the Earth's relationship with the Sun and Moon.  A guaranteed great time for all!  Daytime event included with museum admission; Evening event $5 adults $4 kids (planetarium show $2 extra).  Members save $1 on the evening event!  Get more information at our website. 

However you decide to celebrate, have a wonderful Groundhog Day!
Until next time,
Carpe Noctem!
Kelly