get ready! According to the groundhog elephant, we still have 6 more weeks of winter left

If you’re sick of the cold (and you’re superstitious), there’s more news, winter still continues. The famous groundhog Punxsutawney Phil climbed out of his hole and predicted that there would be 6 more weeks of winter this Wednesday, as usual. This prediction, which is part of the Punxsutawney Groundhog Day tradition, has been fulfilled for the 137th time at Gobblers Knob, Pennsylvania, USA.

According to the predictions chosen by the badger this morning, when leaving the burrow, spring is still far away, and the marmot has seen its shadow and has returned to the shelter, being awakened by three rings on the door.

On February 2nd, 2023, Punxsutawney Phil, a seer, soothsayer, awoke from his lair, looked up at the sky and chose to convey this to you: I see this morning bringing the best of people, I see courage, I see a spirit fighter. I can see and feel the excitement. I see white-haired people tired, young ones awkward, with eyes that sparkle in the Punxsutawney air. I am only wise, but most of all I see my shadow, so no matter how you measure it, it will be another six weeks of winter,” read the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club President, who organizes the event every year.

The day, which brings together thousands of people from all over the world to celebrate the groundhog’s predictions of Punxsutawney, has its roots in the Catholic tradition of the day Jesus was presented in due time.

Tradition dictates that on February 2 Christians take candles to be blessed in churches. It would, according to popular belief, be a way to bring abundance into the house and blessings for the rest of the winter season.

Over time, altitude began to be associated with predicting the length of winter. In Germany, it is believed that the idea spread that if a hedgehog saw its shadow that day, there would be a “second winter”, that is, six more weeks of cold weather. When German settlers came to the United States, they introduced the traditions and legends.

Since there are no hedgehogs in the United States, another hibernating animal was chosen: the groundhog. It began to be celebrated in Punxsutawney in 1886, according to the earliest newspaper records.