Written by Leah Kilde. Graphic by Linnea Sheneman.
Every year on Feb. 2, people from all over America and Canada watch and wait to see if Punxsutawney Phil will see his shadow and ceremoniously send us into an elongated winter. The deal is simple: if the Pennsylvanian groundhog does not see his shadow, then he claims the weather will warm up, and if he does, six more weeks of winter will be brought upon us. Anyone with more than a simple mind might raise questions about this. How does the groundhog communicate his forecast with humans? What does his shadow have to do with the weather? And most importantly, why are we trusting a groundhog with meteorological predictions? As silly as the tradition might sound, it has become such a production that no common sense will stop people from enjoying it.
Groundhog Day is based on a Christian holiday that used to be called Candlemas Day. Christians would bring their candles to church on Feb. 2, exactly forty days after Christmas, to have them blessed and ensure safety for the remaining winter. The inclusion of an animal in this tale began in Germany with Christians claiming that if a hedgehog saw its shadow on Candlemas Day, more winter would be brought. When German settlers brought this tradition to America, their plan had to pivot due to the lack of wild hedgehogs in Pennsylvania. A groundhog was adopted into the tradition, and thus Groundhog Day was born.
The first recognition of Groundhog Day occurred in 1886, and the first recorded prediction of Punxsutawney Phil’s was in 1887. In the years since, he has developed an inner circle of devotees that practice magic to keep him alive. The Inner Groundhog Circle consists of 15 members who have two important tasks. Their most well-known responsibility is helping Phil up from his tree stump to look for a shadow every February. This task must be completed while all 15 members are wearing a tuxedo and top hat.
The Inner Circle’s second responsibility is mysterious and well-hidden on Punxsutawney Phil’s website. According to Phil’s PR Team, the Inner Circle treks uphill to Gobbler’s Knob in the late summer every year. On this day they administer his “Elixir of Life.” The Inner Circle claims “the elixir is made from a secret recipe and provides Phil with the potion that has sustained his longevity and youthful good looks.”
Although the Inner Circle Groundhog Club is exclusive, they have chapters of groundhog worshippers in many major cities across the country. On their website, groundhog.org, there are instructions for starting a new chapter to carry on the Groundhog’s Day tradition. Chapter members pay a one-time chapter fee and then subsequent small annual fees to be recognized as a Groundhog Club Chapter. As a Chapter Member, they receive a newsletter, surprise gifts, and “an official membership card signed by the official keeper of the Legend of Punxsutawney Phil, the President of the Groundhog Club.” (If anyone starts one in Savannah be sure to let me know!)
Groundhog Day becomes a multi-day celebration in Punxsutawney, PA. Events are hosted on both Feb. 1 and 2, welcoming community members as well as having exclusive galas for Chapter Members and the Inner Circle. The Annual Groundhog Club Banquet is held at a local high school and the President of the Inner Circle awards local citizens with Man and Woman of the Year awards. Gobbler’s Knob’s Got Talent is a talent show hosted at the Punxsutawney Community Center, the grand prize winner is announced at the same time as Phil’s prediction on Feb. 2 and receives a $500 prize. Other balls and ticketed events act as fundraisers and community events throughout the Groundhog Day weekend.
The fantastical tradition of Groundhog Day has become so revered in its Pennsylvania town, many outsiders struggle to understand why a Groundhog was gifted eternal life, weather forecasting abilities and a weekend full of events in his honor. The answer is quite simple and honestly beautiful. Over a hundred years ago, a group of German settlers in Pennsylvania wanted to do something fun during wintertime. Their families and community members have kept up the tradition and built a nationwide holiday from it. Punxsutawney Phil has become more than just a prophetic groundhog; he allows people to suspend their disbelief and participate in something larger than themselves for a day. His community comes together to celebrate, not because they truly believe in his predictions, but because they believe in the magic of having a light hearted gathering and sense of togetherness.
