Today is Feb. 2, which is also Groundhog Day.
Groundhog Day is based on a German legend surrounding Candlemas. The legend says if a furry rodent casts a shadow that day, winter continues. If it doesn’t see its shadow, spring comes early.
However, some of the German-speaking areas where that legend is believed to have come from, use a badger as a forecasting animal.
Groundhog Day is now a popular tradition celebrated across North America on Feb. 2. Our modern interpretation of the day is derived from the Pennsylvania Dutch, who use a groundhog as a forecasting animal. The idea is that if the groundhog doesn’t see its shadow because skies are clear, winter will continue for six more weeks. If he doesn’t due to clouds, the spring season will arrive early.
West Shore Wally made his Groundhog Day debut today and he wasn’t alone making predictions.
Van Island Violet, a marmot that calls Mount Washington home is doing what most marmots do this time of year and that’s hibernating under several metres of snow and rock.
But the staff at the Marmot Recovery Foundation have come to the conclusion that a sleeping marmot cannot see its shadow, therefore an early spring is likely in the works.
*BREAKING NEWS*
— ☘Victoria Shamrocks (@WLAShamrocks) February 2, 2018
For the second year in a row and after a long and wet winter dreaming of Mann Cups, Rocky Raccoon emerged this Groundhog Day morning from his sleep at The Q Centre and he DIDN’T see his shadow!!
That surely means things will be coming up green and an early spring pic.twitter.com/oVeYMcTUzj
A little closer to home, The Victoria Shamrock’s very own Rocky the Raccoon emerged from a deep sleep at The Q Centre in Colwood this morning and did not see his shadow. He’s predicting a very green spring with lots of shamrocks. Although, he might be a little biased with that prediction.
West Shore Wally agreed with his counterparts, predicting a nice spring season with lots of yummy flowers to munch on is coming for the West Shore and the Greater Victoria region.
But that may mean some more rain is in our future. To help fight the rainy day blues, Wally is giving away a $50 gift certificate to Mole on Millstream. Head over to our Facebook page for your chance to win.