Phil did relive Groundhog Day

 Phil did relive Groundhog Day

 

 Phil, the Punxsutawney marmot, emerged from his burrow, saw his shadow, and returned to his lair, which, according to tradition in that locality in Pennsylvania, has predicted another six weeks of winter weather in the northeastern United States. . The rodent, whose scientific name is Marmota monax, is the protagonist of the celebration every February 2 of Groundhog Day, in a festival that includes music and food in a rural area about 3.2 kilometers southeast of the town of Punxsutawney .

Local tradition, of Celtic and Germanic origin, holds that if a wintering animal emerges from its cave on February 2, it casts a shadow, winter and cold will last another six weeks. But if there is no visible shade, spring will come earlier.

Lore also indicates that this particular groundhog, Phil, has been predicting the length of winter since 1886 and that his longevity is due to the "elixir of life", or groundhog punch, given to him during the Groundhog Picnic. , held every year in the fall.

In reality, marmots have a life expectancy of about six years. Documents dating back to the late 1880s indicate that the groundhog has predicted long winters more than 100 times.

The Groundhog Club, which has very elaborate rituals for these celebrations, indicates that, after his weather forecast, Phil speaks in "groundhog" to the president of the club, who is the only person capable of understanding him, and who transmits the message. to all mankind.

"It's a beautiful morning, I can see that, and all my supporters see me virtually," said Phil's message today, very appropriately adapted to a time of pandemic. "My faithful supporters, take care of me, our tradition must endure."

This year A.J. Dereume was in charge of supporting Phil during the ceremony and it was the turn of the club's vice president, Tom Dunkel, to read the message in which the groundhog said: "We have all been through the dark of night but now, in the bright light in the morning, we see hope.

Phil is not the only weather marmot, and the Punxsutawney Club calls the others "imposters," like Chuck, who makes his forecast at the Staten Island Zoo in New York, or Chuckles, who makes his announcement from the Lutz Museum in New York. the Children in Manchester, Connecticut.