SC - Fw: [TY] Feb. 2nd

[mermayde at juno.com]

- --------- Forwarded message ----------
From: mermayde at juno.com
To: <mermayde at juno.com>
Date: Tue, 2 Feb 1999 10:03:59 -0500
Subject: [TY] Feb. 2nd
Message-ID: <MDAEMON-F199902021300.AA002293MD77324 at reashelm.ce.utk.edu>

Did you get up and see your shadow this morning?  Puncsatawny Phil
didn't, which supposedly means spring is right around the corner.  I have
my doubts, as we have had very spring-like weather recently, and I
suspect that come along late Feb. and March, we will get more winter. 
But, here is some information about the origins of Ground Hog Day. 
Enjoy!
Mistress Christianna MacGrain

FEB. 2
Candlemas - 40 days after giving birth to Jesus, Mary took him to the
Temple in Jerusalem to present him to God. Celebrated with blessing
candles and a candlelit procession. Candles are blessed and placed on
altars. 

Ground Hog Day -- North America - Based on a Scottish couplet
 "If Candlemas dawns bright and clear, 
there will be two winters that year". 
Also
 "If Candlemas Day be dry and fair, 
The half o' winter's come and mair,
 If Candlemas Day be wet and foul, 
The half o' winter was gone at Youl". 

 Scottish, Irish, and Dutch immigrants to Pennsylvania believed that if
the weather was clear enough for a small mammal to see his shadow, there
would be two winters.  Weather prediction based on the ground hog's
ability to see his shadow or not-if he does, there will be six more weeks
of winter, if not, spring will soon arrive.

(See Feb. 1st for more origins of Ground Hog Day)

FEBRUARY 1
Imbolc - Celtic Festival, also called Oimealg.  Universal Celtic
Fertility Day. This holiday celebrates the first day of spring, when
Brigantia (Brigit), the goddess of all creative activity, rekindles the
fire of the earth, preparing the earth to bring forth new life in the
following months. Traditionally, tools of all kinds (agricultural,
household, smithing, etc.) are blessed by the Goddess at this time, as
well as household and smithy fires.  Talismans of rushes "Brigit's
Crosses" are made for household protection, and Celts would observe the
behaviourbehavior of  "Brigit's Snake" as it emerged from its
hibernation, as this would predict how much winter weather was left in
the year.  (Ground Hog Day origins) This holiday has largely been turned
into St. Brigit's Feast Day (See Below).
St. Bridgid's Feast Day (525) Patron Saint of Ireland, New Zealand,
Milkmaids, Cattle and Dairy Work, Fugitives, Nuns, 
Newborns, and Poultry Raisers. Called " Mary of the Gael", she is buried
with St. Patrick. Numerous miracles are attributed to her, as well as the
founding of many churches, convents, and monasteries. (Coincidentally,
the Goddess Brigit was in Ireland when the Christians got there.)

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