February 6, 2009 Chautauqua

From the Editor's Computer
February 2nd is traditionally known as Groundhog Day in North America. A time when we rely on a groundhog to predict for us - by means of observation, or non-observation, of a shadow. However, this holiday has an even more ancient history than many of us are aware of.

Imbolc was a Celtic holiday to honour the goddess Brigid (Brigit) - and it referred to the time when the ewes were giving birth to spring lambs. February 2, when Imbolc was celebrated, is the halfway mark between the Winter Solstice and the Spring Equinox.
It was on Imbolc that people looked for the following signs that winter was ending.
· Ewes lactating and giving birth to spring lambs.
· Predicting the weather by watching for hedgehogs, and other burrowing animals come out of their dens.
· People cleaned out their homes to purify them from the dullness of winter.
Whether spring is 6 weeks away or we have 6 more weeks of winter, the days are getting longer and we know it will get warmer out.
Beth
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