ICYMI

In Case You Missed It, Groundhog Day was yesterday (February 2). Usually I make my annual pilgrimage downtown, pick up a couple of Groundhog sandwiches, and eat with my little Cajun friend at the church. We eat, and catch up on each other’s families; then it is back to work. This year medical appointments and continuing education classes preempted that celebration of Groundhog Day. What are “Groundhog sandwiches,” you ask? Well, it isn’t quite clandestine—they are sandwiches made of ground hog—–widely known as sausage.

I learned that novelty name for sausage from a Methodist church somewhere in Kansas. That church held annual “Ground Hog” dinners as fundraisers; their Groundhog suppers served sausage, pancakes, syrup, etc., and coffee. Crowds from far and near came to enjoy , good food, time together, and the novelty of the day.

I don’t know of anyone now who uses the idea—but I celebrate Groundhog Day annually with ground hog sandwiches. However, many Groundhog celebrations do occur far and wide. I think the most widely known is Punxsutawney Phil; famous for annual TV and intense news media. That little woodchuck in Punxsutawney, PA generates great anticipation in his search for his shadow.

Groundhog Day emerged through centuries of celebrations anticipating Spring. Among the first were Celtic celebrations in early February anticipating Spring. February 2 falls halfway between the winter solstice and the spring equinox. It offers a natural occasion of hope from the dead of winter into the dawn of spring. The “Groundhog” image emerged from a German Badger tradition. A significant German population in Pennsylvania helped migrate the term “Groundhog” —a misnomer—from Badger, to Woodchuck, to Groundhog .

Myths and rituals are difficult to disentangle. Myths can help keep a culture vital. By myth, I do not mean fairytales or falsehoods; Merriam-Webster defines myth— a story usually of traditional ostensibly historical events that serves to unfold part of the world view of a people or explain a practice, belief, or natural phenomenon. Such myths usually offer texture, context, and often humor, to events. Some myths become cherished traditions; in the case of Groundhog Day, North American fun celebrations. Almost no one actually believes that Punxsutawney Phil can give an accurate prognostication of the weather. He can’t. But isn’t it fun!?

Human beings have always tried to foretell future events. Ancient kings usually had some kind of Seer, diviner, or futurist on the Royal Staff. Prior to Samuel anointing Saul King, Saul and his cohorts determined that they should search out a Seer to guide them. The Prophet, Isaiah warned about turning to necromancers to conjure up guidance, instead of seeking wisdom from God.

Followers of Jesus and his disciples often sought to get predictions of the future from him . Jesus pointed out the futility of telling the future. Basically, he said use your powers of observation and your common sense for daily living. The annoying, repetitive scene in the 1993, comedy-movie “Groundhog Day,” was funny—that scene had every day exactly the same! The message of the movie, according to the Chicago Tribune is this;  Life is a gift … you can choose to use it selfishly for personal gain, or you can use it to help others. The choice is up to you.

So maybe you missed celebrating Groundhog Day! Today is now. Live it. Enjoy it! –Have some fun next year on Groundhog Day. Call a friend—or several. Invite them to enjoy some Groundhog Sandwiches with you and friends! And to see if Punxsutawney Phil finds his shadow!

©Copyright Willis H. Moore 2023