Today is February 2, Groundhog Day. And as German legend has it, the most famous ‘seer’ rodent celebrity meteorologist, ‘Punxsutawney Phil’ emerges at Gobblers Knob in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, and predicts if we will see an early spring or if winter will continue. This year, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the popular ceremony went virtual and there was no audience. This gives the tradition a whole new meaning during the pandemic.
The live stream had more than 15,000 viewers played the previous Groundhog Day’s ahead of the big reveal. Then Phil emerged at dawn. The folklore goes if the famous rodent sees his shadow there will be six more weeks of winter, if he doesn’t, spring will arrive early. Unfortunately, Phil saw his shadow and we will get six more weeks of winter. Amazingly, I predicted this myself and was 100% correct!
The annual event origin in German legend dating back to the 1800s shows Phil predicted longer winters 100 times. Last year in 2020, was an exception where Phil predicted an early spring. Well back to reality, this year winter isn’t going anywhere for six more weeks! No comment from Phil regarding the pandemic!
It’s quite obvious that Phil saw his shadow because the entire Northeast experienced a monster snowstorm named Orlena.
There are three other imposters, Staten Island Chuck and Connecticut’s Chuckles XI. Chuckles XI replaced Chuckles X who died in September. And there’s Buffalo Bert who followed in Phil’s lead also had the same prediction of six more weeks of winter.
According to News 12 Westchester, one of the members of Phil’s inner circle spoke before Phil’s prediction was revealed and said it’s been a unique year.
“People have been referencing Groundhog Day as if we’re all living the same day over and over again (just like the classic 1993 film, “Groundhog Day” starring Bill Murray.) one of the members said. “Groundhog Day” also shows us how the monotony ends. The cycle will be broken. “Today actually is Groundhog Day, there’s only one—There is quite literally a new day coming over the horizon.”
Here’s a video on YouTube with a clip from the Bill Murray film, “Groundhog Day” and this year’s 135th Groundhog Day virtual ceremony at Gobblers Knob in Punxsutawney, PA.
