Groundhog Day February 2, 2009!!

Scenes of Groundhog Day 2009

Punxsutawney Phil file photo

Phil Says "Six More Weeks of Winter!"
Phil's official forecast as read February 2nd, 2009 at sunrise at Gobbler's Knob:
Hear Ye Hear Ye
On Gobbler's Knob this glorious Groundhog Day, February 2nd, 2009
Punxsutawney Phil, Seer of Seers, Prognosticator of all Prognosticators
Awoke to the call of President Bill Cooper
And greeted his handlers, Ben Hughes and John Griffiths
After casting a joyful eye towards thousands of his faithful followers,
Phil proclaimed that his beloved Pittsburgh Steelers were World Champions one more time
And a bright sky above me
Showed my shadow beside me.
So 6 more weeks of winter it will be.

More information on "Groundhog Day"

The groundhog's reputation as a weather prophet came to the U.S. in the mid 18th century with German immigrants known as Pennsylvania Dutch. They had regarded the badger as the winter-spring barometer, and reassigned the job to the groundhog after importing their Candlemas (noun meaning a church feast, Feb. 2, commemorating the purification of the Virgin Mary: candles for sacred uses are blessed on this day: also Candlemas Day.) traditions to the U.S. Other Europeans used the bear or hedgehog -- but in any case it belonged to a creature that hibernated. Its emergence symbolized the imminent arrival of spring.The earlier celebration, Candlemas, is a traditional Christian festival that commemorates the ritual purification of Mary, 40 days after the birth of Jesus. It also marks the presentation of the infant Jesus in the temple. Christians were observing this holiday in Jerusalem at least as early as the 4th century A.D. By the middle of the 5th century, candles were lit on this day to symbolize the association of light with Christ. In Ireland, February 1st is the feast day of Saint Brigit, the spiritual protector of sheep and cattle. According to tradition, she was born at sunrise as her mother, a Druid's slave, carried milk across the threshold of her master's house. In the same way, her feast falls on a seasonal crossroads -- between winter and spring. When winter is fading and the power of the spring sun is increasing. Prior to the conversion of the Irish Celts, Saint Brigit's Day was known as Imbolc, one of four seasonal junctions in the pagan calendar of Ireland. It was the start of spring, and its name refers to "ewes' milk" and to the birth of farm animals. Imbolc was dedicated to the Celtic goddess Brigit, who was associated with learning, poetry, crafts and healing. Many of her pagan characteristics were retained when she was made a saint. Despite its place on the Christian calendar, Candlemas also has pagan roots. The ancient Romans observed the beginning of spring on February 5th -- they tidied farm and field and closed the year with a purification festival. The Armenian Church held an ancient fire-god festival each February 2nd. Future weather was forecasted by the behavior of smoke blown from fires lit in church courtyards.In Britain, Candlemas marked the beginning of spring. For the British, the December solstice is midwinter, and Candlemas is a time of seasonal transition. In the U.S., February is also associated with seasonal change -- but it takes a groundhog to reveal the connection. The groundhog's reputation as a weather prophet came to the U.S. in the mid 18th century with German immigrants known as Pennsylvania Dutch. They had regarded the badger as the winter-spring barometer, and reassigned the job to the groundhog after importing their Candlemas traditions to the U.S. Other Europeans used the bear or hedgehog--but in any case it belonged to a creature that hibernated. Its emergence symbolized the imminent arrival of spring.Groundhog Day is also the secular incarnation of Candlemas, a traditional Christian festival that commemorates the ritual purification of Mary 40 days after the birth of her son. It also marks the presentation of the infant Jesus in the temple. Christians were observing this holiday in Jerusalem at least as early as the 4th century A.D. By the middle of the5th century, candles were lit on this day to symbolize the association of light with Christ.Despite its place on the Christian calendar, Candlemas also has pagan roots. The ancient Romans observed the beginning of spring on February 5th--they tidied farm and field and closed the year with a purification festival. The Armenian Church held an ancient fire-god festival each February 2nd. Future weather was forecasted by the behavior of smoke blown from fires lit in church courtyards.And finally, in Ireland, February 1st is the feast day of Saint Brigit, the spiritual protector of sheep and cattle. According to tradition, she was born at sunrise as her mother, a Druid's slave, carried milk across the threshold of her master's house. In the same way, her feast falls on a seasonal crossroads--between winter and spring. When winter is fading and the power of the spring sun is increasing. Prior to the conversion of the Irish Celts, Saint Brigit's Day was known as Imbolc, one of four seasonal junctions in the pagan calendar of Ireland. It was the start of spring, and its name refers to "ewes' milk" and to the birth of farm animals. Imbolc was dedicated to the Celtic goddess Brigit, who was associated with learning, poetry, crafts and healing. Many of her pagan characteristics were retained when she was transformed into a saint. These are just a few interesting facts I've uncovered about Groundhog Day/Candlemas.

I have been curious about Groundhog Day and decided to do some research. I found the above info at http://www.ask.com/#subject:askpg:1. I selected "images" with search subject "Groundhog Day".

Now I am wondering how many times Phil does not see his shadow.