02/02/2026
Phil says six more weeks of winter. ❄️❄️❄️ Happy Groundhog's Day! 🎩
Happy Groundhog Day!! 🦫 Will Punxsutawney Phil (Seer of Seers, Sage of Sages, and Weather Prognosticator Extraordinary) see his shadow?
According to weather lore, if it’s a clear or sunny day, the groundhog will see its shadow and return to its underground home. This means 6 more weeks of wintry weather.
The plump prognosticator will not see his shadow if it’s a cloudy or snowy day. This means early spring weather is right around the corner.
Historically, however, a groundhog was NOT the animal of choice: a bear brought the forecast to the people of France and England, while those in Germany looked to a badger for a sign 🦫
In the 1800s, German immigrants to Pennsylvania brought their Candlemas legends with them. Finding no badgers but lots of groundhogs (also called woodchucks or whistle pigs), they adopted the New World species to fit the lore.
But originally, Groundhog Day was a Celtic festival marking the year’s first cross-quarter day, or a midpoint between seasons called Imbolc—a term from Old Irish that is most often translated as “in the belly”—a reference to the soon-to-arrive lambs of spring. The celebration of Imbolc signaled that the Sun was halfway through its advance towards the spring equinox, and the season of new birth and light was on the horizon.
This day has also been called St. Brigid’s Day, which stems from a mixing of figures and traditions from pagan and Christian beliefs. The Celtic goddess Brigantia is associated with dawn, light, and spring, which are qualities later associated with Brigid of Kildare, a Christian saint (and one of Ireland’s patron saints).
So, however you want to celebrate February 2, here's to you and whichever furry prognosticator you choose! Find more Groundhog Day lore at Almanac.com/Groundhog-Day 🦫
