Posted: 4/7/2010 10:48:07 AM EDT
| Groundhog Day owes its true origins to the ancient Greeks, who believed that an animal’s shadow was its soul, blackened by the past year’s sins. While the animal hibernates, its soul is cleansed by nature, and if it wakes up before winter is over, it will see the dirty shadow and be horrified and then return to its den for more purification. |
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Punxsutawney Phil lore
Zoological data suggests that groundhogs have a maximum lifespan of 10 years in captivity or 6 years in the wild.[3] However, Punxsutawney Phil fans say that there is only one Phil (all the other groundhog weathermen are imposters), and that he has made weather prognostications for over 120 years as of 2010. They say that every summer, Phil is fed a sip of the mysterious Groundhog Punch, which magically lengthens his life for seven years. This is done by Inner Circle members.[4] According to the Groundhog Club, Phil, after making the prediction, speaks to the Club President in "Groundhogese", which only the Inner Circle appear to understand, and then his prediction is translated for the entire world. |
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Quoted: Punxsutawney Phil lore Zoological data suggests that groundhogs have a maximum lifespan of 10 years in captivity or 6 years in the wild.[3] However, Punxsutawney Phil fans say that there is only one Phil (all the other groundhog weathermen are imposters), and that he has made weather prognostications for over 120 years as of 2010. They say that every summer, Phil is fed a sip of the mysterious Groundhog Punch, which magically lengthens his life for seven years. This is done by Inner Circle members.[4] According to the Groundhog Club, Phil, after making the prediction, speaks to the Club President in "Groundhogese", which only the Inner Circle appear to understand, and then his prediction is translated for the entire world. And by "groundhog punch" they mean a swig from the mayor's flask 'o bourbon? |