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The Complete Guide To Groundhog Day In 2023
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Okay, we can all agree that Groundhog Day is kind of weird. When winter comes and it gets cold, we can't help but check our local channels or phone apps to see what the temperature is.
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We might ask ourselves if it's cold enough to drink hot chocolate today. And Ree and Ladd Drummond might look at the forecast for the whole week to see if they need to break up their frozen pond.
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But in the middle of winter, we ask a big, but cute, rodent when spring will come. I mean, who needs the spring equinox when you have a furry oracle?
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We've put together everything you need to know about Groundhog Day 2023, when it is, and the history of the tradition, so that everyone who wants to watch can.
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Sorry, but we have to answer a more important question first: is it Groundhog Day or Groundhogs Day? (Dramatic drum roll)Every year, Groundhog Day is on February 2. On February 2, 2023, it will be a Thursday.
When is Groundhog Day 2023?
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This uniquely American custom is mostly about predicting the weather. On February 2, the whole country looks to Punxsutawney Phil, a special groundhog, to tell us if winter will last all season or if we can expect spring-like weather early.
What is Groundhog Day?
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Folklore says that we'll have six more weeks of cold weather if Phil sees his shadow and runs back to his burrow. If he comes out and doesn't see his shadow, spring is almost here (finally, it's time to put on your spring dresses!).
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Last year, the groundhog's predictions were a mixed bag, just like a lot of other things.
Did the groundhog see his shadow in 2022?
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Punxsutawney Western Pennsylvania groundhog Phil is the most famous. Phil's 2022 shadow meant a long winter. The other notable groundhogs in the country disagreed, revealing conflicting accounts. Sun Prairie Jimmy, Beauregard Lee, and Staten Island Chuck did not see their shadows.
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We will find out on February 2
Did the groundhog see his shadow in 2023?
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In Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, this strange ritual was first honoured in 1887. Imbolc and Candlemas Day may have inspired Groundhogs Day. At Imbolc, the midpoint between seasons, ancient Celts predicted the weather. According to legend, Candlemas also predicted weather:
How did Groundhog Day start?
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If Candlemas is bright and fair,Come back, Winter! If Candlemas brings clouds and rain,Go away, Winter, and don't come back.(John Ray in 1678)
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Everything about groundhogs seems to have come from Europe, too. The Germans had a tradition that was almost the same, but instead of a groundhog, they used a badger.