Groundhog Day

"Two Canadian groundhogs did not see their shadow and one American one did. What does this mean for spring? Will it come early or will winter hang on for another 6 weeks? Hanging on won't be too bad if the weather continues as it has. We have had a very mild winter so far. And if spring comes early, well that will be fine too. I love the green of new leaves, the colors of spring bulbs and the warm of the strengthening sun. I am eager to get back outside. I want to put another path through my yard, put in two flower beds and plant a hawthorn tree. Can't do any of this with snow on the ground.

It seems an odd thing to do, haul perfectly innocent animals out of their dens, hold them up for everyone to see and look to see if they cast a shadow. What would possess adults to engage in such an activity? I would imagine, a desire to be in touch with our source, nature. To feel that we can understand the unknown, we can predict the unknown. Back in the days when we did not have radar, did not know about the jet stream, did not have any weather predicting equipment at all, when we were at the mercy of the elements this ritual would have given people some sense that they could know the unknown. And today, the desire to understand and know the mysteries of nature still motivates us and so along with modern equipment we resort to nature to tell us what she has planned. Doesn't seem to work though, as the groundhogs predictions are only correct 37% of the time. Mother Nature keeps her secrets well,"I whisper.

Are you listening?