February 2

It's February 2

Known as:

or 

And the forecast is the same:

It is a tradition by some religions to bring their candles to their local church, 

where they are blessed and then are used for the rest of the year.

For Christians, these blessed candles serve as a symbol of Jesus Christ,

who referred to himself as the Light of the World.

However, here, the celebration of Candlemas has largely been replaced in

the secular media by Groundhog Day!

Groundhog Day is from the Pennsylvania Dutch

who believe that on this day when the groundhog

emerges from its burrow and it sees a shadow

due to clear weather,

it will retreat to its den and winter will persist for six more weeks.

If it doesn't . . . 

(due to cloudiness)

spring will arrive early.

(It appears that it is an enhanced version of the lore that clear weather on

Candlemas forebodes a prolonged winter.)

Of course, the groundhog that forecasts the weather

is none other than the one who resides in

Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania

by the name of Phil.

It's a media circus as they take Phil from his burrow

and ceremoniously see whether or not

he sees his shadow.

To celebrate, we often have "ground hog" for breakfast!

Whether you celebrate

Groundhog Day

or

Candlemas

I hope that the day may be cloudy and overcast

So that Spring may be right around the corner!