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Interview With a WoodChuck He looked innocent enough. Why.. nothing more than an overgrown squirrel, really. The sign read, " Punxsutawney Phil, Seer of Seers, Sage of Sages, Prognosticator of Prognosticators, and Weather Prophet Extraordinaire". "Yeah, right." Looking at him snoozing in the corner of his hutch, I had to laugh. Although after reading the rest of the small sign, I really did have to take a second look at the small critter. "Woodchucks make their home in the lush shade along the edge of forests, or near the banks of small streams. Here they dig their burrows. The average burrow can be dug in a day, and can involve removing up to 700 pounds of soil." Yikes!! 700 pounds???!! Extraordinary indeed!! "You betcha" he said, his chest puffing with pride. "Huhh???" You can speak??" (totally astonished!) "Well... I guess you really ARE much more remarkable than you first appear!" "I'm not so sure the same can be said for you." he said, amusing himself with a slice of apple. "But we'll see.." In no time at all, I found myself immersed in a lengthy dissertation on the rich heritage of woodchucks. Phil came from a long line of Weather Prophets, dating all the way back to the days when his great,great,great,great grandaddy (also named Phil) provided winter forecasts to the tribe of Delaware Indians. "The Delaware were a wonderful tribe. They believed all men began life as animals. Through the blessings of Mother Earth, they returned to walk the earth as men. 'Wojak,' they called us.. 'the most honorable woodchuck.' It was not until much later we became known as 'groundhogs.' I ask you.... do you see any resemblance to a HOG???!!! I think NOT!!!!!!!!" He looked so comical scurrying about, grumbling. I had to look away for just a moment to hide my smile. He told me of other famous woodchucks. There was "Buckeye Chuck." .. a distant cousin on his mother's side. You could see the love in his eyes as he showed me pictures of his sweetheart, "Philenopy" .... a radiant beauty! (for a woodchuck) He dragged out a huge volume.. the "Who Wus Who"... that seemed to list every woodchuck that ever existed!! ..... This little furry creature was quite the scholar! His history centered around this day we call "Groundhog Day" (although, considering what a fireball he turned into at the mere mention of it, I might suggest we change the name to "Woodchuck Day!!"). Groundhog Day finds it's roots in a Pagan holiday called "Imbolg." The ancient ones celebrated the coming of spring, and the fertility of Mother Earth. You have to keep in mind, times were much more simple than today. The peoples of that time were very in tune with the world around them... simply because they HAD to be. Their very existence depended on things like when to plant their crops, when to harvest. The coming of spring, and the return of the Sun was a time of great anticipation! The Romans considered this day a
time of cleansing. February was a time of purification. They also celebrated "Lupercalia" ( a prelude to our version of Valentine's Day!) The priests of Pan went running through the streets in goatskin loincloths, striking the women with ritual thongs to promote fertility. Everyone loved the celebration! The women took to the streets... wearing less and less each year.. to the point where the politicians at the time tried to ban the whole thing! ... which of course made it all the more popular. Sounds like the Roman version of the 1960's!! Peace, Love, and Goatskin loincloths?? Makes for quite a visual... :) The spread of Christianity changed the holiday once again, introducing "Candlemas." (MUCH more tame than running through the streets of Rome!) The priests would bless candles for the congregation, and on the night of Candlemas, the people would burn them in every window of the house. German immigrants brought this holiday to "the new world." .. along with all the "weather lore." Candlemas marks the midpoint of Winter, and it was said if the weather was fair, the second half of Winter would be snowy and cold. The groundhog (oooops!! I mean "the honorable woodchuck!!) made his debut in 1841.............. February 4th,1841 - from Morgantown, Berks County (Pennsylvania) storekeeper James Morris' diary.... "Last Tuesday, the 2nd, was CandlemasDay, the day on which, according to the Germans, the Groundhog (woodchuck!!) peeps out of his winter quarters and if he sees his shadow he pops back in for another six weeks nap, but if the day be cloudy he remains out, and the weather is to be moderate." "... and that pretty much brings you up to date." said my intellectual, albeit furry, friend. "Now you will have to muddle on by yourself, for it's time for me to get to work!" With that said, he wrapped a scarf around him, put on his tiny top hat, and, looking very distinguished for "a great and honorable woodchuck," scurried out the door. I watched him disappear into the woods, headed for Gobbler's Knob. ... and his 15 minutes of fame. Would he see his shadow? If the past is any indication, he most probably will... 90 times the woodchuck saw his shadow... 14 times, he didn't... and 9 times, the people must have partied too hard!! .. because nobody thought to record it!! :) Whatever the case, a Happy WOODCHUCK Day to you all!! Brightest Blessings..
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