Celebrate Groundhog Day by releasing your shadows!

American folklore claims that a furry rodent like a groundhog or hedgehog makes an appearance in the middle of winter on Candlemas Day, and thereby predicts the next six weeks of weather. In Europe it’s a wolverine, badger, or sacred bear that comes out of its den and does the prognosticating. Screwy as it sounds, this divination of weather is actually an ancient tradition dating back to the pagan festival of Imbolc, which was an astronomical midpoint between winter solstice and the spring equinox and was associated with the goddess Brighid. She represented the light half of the year and served as the power bringing people from the darkness into the spring.

It is said if the groundhog emerges from his burrow on groundhog day and doesn’t see his shadow, good weather will soon arrive. But another six weeks of winter weather are in store if he does. However a lot depends on what direction the little guy is facing and whether or not the sun’s shining. He can’t see his shadow if he’s facing the sun, which is a good metaphor for us all: shadows disappear when we face the light. So on this Groundhog Day come out of a hole you may have found yourself in, face the light, and watch the shadows disappear from your world. It’s all contingent on your viewpoint: it’s either six more weeks of winter or only six more weeks until spring.

Spiritual Contemplation: Where are some shadows looming large in your life? Instead of perpetuating the reoccurrence of them for another six weeks, try turning your perspective in a different direction—face the light and watch the shadows fall behind you.

Affirmation: I feel the warmth of the light upon my face!