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| Tradition calls for a badger (groundhog, whistlepig), snake or hedgehog to make an appearance on February 2. It all depends on where you call home. |
Imbolc is here and all we have
to show that Spring will arrive soon is mud! Here in PA, the tradition of
the groundhog seeing his shadow is astonishingly central to people's midwinter
conversations. I have plans for a nice celebration with others in my
circle on Saturday night... a meal of milk foods and fresh breads, a fire and
the making of traditional wheat crosses. I will put a bowl of holly and
ice cubes (for we are without snow) to melt and remind us that the thaw is sure
to come now that the days are longer.
In this part of PA, German
families have held the fort since the mid 1600's, and with them many traditions
found in few other places. Midwinter celebrations among the old wise ones
of Germany included watching a badger's hole. If the day was sunny, 6 more
weeks of winter, if clouds rule the day, the
badger may emerge as a sign winter is at its end.
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