Who is Punxsutawney Phil? And why do we ask whether he saw his shadow? For those who have never watched the movie, Groundhog Day, Punxsutawney Phil is the name of the famous groundhog in Punxsutawney, PA who annually predicts when spring will come based on whether he sees his shadow on February 2.
On the morning of February 2, 2013, Punxsutawney Phil did not see his shadow when he came out of his burrow for breakfast. Of course, what that really means is that his handlers, in their infinite wisdom, decided, for whatever mysterious reasons, that this would not be a "shadow year," signaling that we will be treated to an early spring.
But for me, there are two entirely separate aspects to Groundhog Day. We might term these two aspects the entertainment side and the psychological side. The festivities at Gobbler's Knob in Punxsutawney, where we learn whether or not Phil saw his shadow, highlight the entertainment side.
I'm much more interested in the psychological aspect of Groundhog Day, though. Falling as it does half-way between the winter solstice and spring equinox, Groundhog Day's true significance has nothing to do with Phil's shadowy antics. In acknowledging that we've reached winter's midpoint on February 2, we can permit ourselves a deep breath, confident that, regardless of Phil's prediction, spring is now in sight.
Let us know your view: Groundhog Day -- Hope or Hooey?
Photo Courtesy of the Postcard Service at PunxsutawneyPhil.com
Comments
That just plain stinks!
I wish we could get done with this Winter
stuff and just stop the snow!
man i am so upset that we have six more weeks of winter i am really upset. i am eady for summer to come.
Yah,as i said in the Gardening forum,up here in Canada,our flea bitten rodent saw his shadow as well!
yeah i live in canada too that furry son of a groundhog bettr not have seen his shotow
Hi Scotty,
Groundhog Day 2011 is giving us a different result, fortunately.
This is bull crap cuz it is just a myth… it is so idiotic. =/
Myth was a big part of ancient Greek culture, too, and yet we honor its manifestation in that culture. Something’s being based on myth or fiction — be it Groundhog Day or anything else — doesn’t necessarily disqualify it from having value.
You might quickly wish to add, “Yeah, maybe for some.” I’m comfortable with that. But without some admission of the value of fiction, the world of movies, TV, literature, music, etc., as we know it, wouldn’t exist.
Spring will be as always. Bright sunrises over the mountains with all the flowers in bloom… Myself I enjoy Winter and like the brisk mornings
In the mountains.
I think President Barrack needs to appoint a new GroundHog.
But first make sure the would-be new Groundhog has no tax issues.
How does a ground hog tell you he saw his shadow? I dont get it
Lisa,
As I relate in Groundhog Day, the Groundhog’s handlers “hear” his prediction, then “translate” the Groundhog-ese into English, for the rest of us. The nay-sayers would say the Groundhog’s handlers make it all up, themselves. But the more good-natured folks out there just “play along.”
Yepsure, you have a real attitude problem. If you do not like this site so much than why are you on it? Anyway I agree with Carlos
the groundhog is awesome!!! He comes out on my birthday. i also dont get the shadow part
how can they tell if he saw it or not??
Marissa,
If the answer to the question, “Did the Groundhog see his shadow?” were answered rationally, the deciding factor would be the presence or absence of sunshine on February 2. Sunshine would yield a shadow; the Groundhog would see no shadow on a cloudy day.
Of course, rationality doesn’t play a huge role in Groundhog Day, so other, mysterious factors may come into play, too….
NOT MORE WINTER!!!!! PLEASE!!!!!
Yes, the Groundhog saw his shadow, signaling 6 more weeks of winter. Fortunately, Groundhog Day really isn’t mainly about Punxsutawney Phil’s prediction, strangely enough. That’s not what it’s about to me, at least. It’s really about celebrating the fact that we’re halfway through winter.
i hate winter its boring
i love spring hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha:)
i love it we havent even got any winter i love it
Yep that does suck that we have six more weeks of winter! How do they get the groundhog to come out of his burrow on the specific day of February 2?
Love Carlos comment!!!
Anna,
It’s not a natural burrow that the Groundhog lives in. It’s a contained area that they can just pull him out of.
I love the winter time. The beauty of the trees with out their leaves on a sunless day. The beauty of new fallen snow.
You folks that think the groundhog actually determines when spring comes are out of your minds.
Of course he will see his shadow with all the camera lights on him. Or the lights scare him back in every year. It’s just a tradition and does not determine the length of winter.
>”You folks that think the groundhog actually determines when spring comes….”
I don’t think anywhere here really thinks that; we’re just having fun with it. Then again, as surreal as the news these days sounds to my ears sometimes, who knows?
I think its just all for fun and gives us hope. Poor Groundhog though. lol. technically we only have like 6 give or take a few weeks for spring anyways lol.
I m not used to winter but if we have six more weeks, then let it be.
I agree with Carlos comment:)
Yeah, that’s some bull crap. It’s not fair. I say this although I’m a winter baby.
Gosh!!!!!!!!!!! I hate snow and winter! : (
look at the bright side,6 more weeks of winter can only mean 6 weeks till spring,whats the difference ? geterdone groundhog phil..
Oilfieldman,
I’m all for looking at the glass as “half-full.” But if I can get spring in 4 weeks rather than 6, I’ll take it!
So there are 6 more weeks of winter?
No, less than 6 weeks this year (2011), because the groundhog did not see his shadow. Just how much less is not stated: It’s left to the imagination.
hey the groundhog did see his shadow so what the fuk@#r u guys talking about??????????
The comments that are dated as 2010 are from last year’s Groundhog Day. The blog post, itself is updated, but the older comments remain intact.
I can’t believe 6 more weeks of winter hell I live in newyork and its not looking to good at all. Lol oh well I guess I will be buying more sweaters this week
Moe,
The groundhog did not see his shadow in 2011, so he predicts less than 6 weeks of winter — for whatever it’s worth.
Who gives a flying leap about it……but…yay NO MORE WINTER…thumbs up or the ground hog guy..
I hate summer because I have tol weed in a huge garden anybody think they have any ideas to make it go faster?
oh my 6 more weeks of winter considering we have had a pretty good warm winter here in KY
That stinks
This stinks. Why couldn’t he see his shadow this year? This just sucks.
He didn’t see his shadow, this means we will have an early Spring.. People always get it mixed up what the shadow means.. Here it is in Layman’s terms: If it’s sunny on Groundhog Day (hence he sees a shadow), we’re going to pay for it with bad weather at the end of the season… If it’s cloudy on Groundhog Day (hence no shadow), we’ll be rewarded with good weather at the end of the season.. Basically if it’s nice now, it’ll be bad then.. Or if it’s bad now, it’ll be nice then… It’s basically the law of averages… Nice half the time, bad the other half… Old wives tale regardless…. Now let’s go eat some Groundhog – Yum Yum!!
The movie is a classic, and the groundhog makes for great folk lore.
I’m glad for an early spring. I hope you are right, Phil. For other signs like seeing a robin means spring is 2 weeks away (I have not seen one yet). I’m ready for winter to be over with….
Yep, yep, spring is coming, now we can have lots of fun. Bring it on, lol… Swim
I don’t think we’re gonna have winter anymore, because I heard that if he doesn’t see his shadow, then we’re gonna have an early spring.
But can someone give me an answer? [Editor's note: You've got it right!]
OK. Am I reading wrong or what? I swear it says Phil did not see his shadow. We are going to be treated to an early spring. [Editor's note: You are correct. The groundhog did not see a shadow, which means we are going to have an early spring. You may be confused by some of the older comments here; I keep the comments made in prior years, rather than deleting them.]
I live in the South. I want it to snow. It helps kill flies, ticks, fleas and mosquitoes. Plus, no matter the nuisance, our world needs to just chill!
Yes, we are ready for spring. Bring it on. We live in Michigan.
Yeah the cold, is over and I made it through another winter. Thank you, Jesus.
The ground hog did not see his shadow today, so we don’t have 6 more weeks of winter to deal with. Now I’m ready for spring.
I’m so glad to see spring weather. It just makes you feel better — love the outdoors during spring. Well, it’s time to get out my garden gloves!
I’m excited. Just got a new house, waiting to get in the garden!
Well oklahoma is crazy we have been getting winter storms for two weeks it goes and comes
.