SC - Ground Hog Day

[Oughton, Karin (GEIS, Tirlan)]

 many thanks  : ) 

> -----Original Message-----
> From:	Christine A Seelye-King [SMTP:mermayde at juno.com]
> Sent:	Tuesday, July 06, 1999 5:06 AM
> To:	SCA-Cooks at Ansteorra.ORG
> Subject:	SC - Ground Hog Day
> 
> >My co-chef who has only just got 'into' cooking , is really
> >enthusiastic and she;'s already planning the next one...unfortunately I
> >have not yet won her round to medieval cookery, but I will . The next
> >one is themed "Groundhog day" (lisa's choice) - so we are planning to
> >concentrate on American Pioneer cookery.... something I have never
> >really studied before (also  i'm dragging lisa back through time
> >slowly.....) , so any hints and tips are very welcome. BTW are there
> >any specific foods associated with Groundhog day?
> >karin
> 
> Not much on food ideas, but here are some excerpts from my book 
> "366 Days of Celebrations, or, A Year Full of Reasons To Throw A Party"
> by Christine Seelye-King:
> 
> FEBRUARY 1
> Kalends of February - Ancient Rome - February was sacred to the God Mars
> and the Goddess Juno, wife of Jupiter.  Special reverence was shown to
> deceased ancestors as well as fertility of the people and the land. 
> Ceremonies included rebirth and agricultural elements.  
> 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
> behavior 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.)
> 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.
> 
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