Celtic Quarter Festival
Just a piece of useless trivia: Groundhog Day is a vestige of the Celtic festival of the goddess Brigid (Feb. 1st). Originally, her festival on February 1 was known as Imbolc or Oimelc, two names which refer to the lactation of the ewes, the flow of milk that heralds the return of the life-giving forces of spring.
Later, the Catholic Church replaced this festival with Candlemas Day on February 2, which is dedicated to the Virgin Mary and features candlelight processions. The powerful figure of Brigid the Light-Bringer overlights both pagan and Christian celebrations. You could say her day marks the beginning of the end of winter.
All youse who are in the grips of yet another snowstorm can take comfort that the days are now 10hrs. 22min. long and spring IS on the way.
Your resident Celt,
Teach