The Author of "Fertility Goddesses, Groundhog Bellies and the Coca-Cola Company" explores the surprising origins of this holiday about a little rodent
Many may think holidays serve no other purpose than to encourage our already rampant materialism, but if we are willing to dig a little deeper into the origins of our modern day holidays we may begin to see holidays as our cultural relics that can connect us to the mysteries of nature and life.
Take Groundhog’s Day as an example. Here is a holiday that on the surface seems to be completely contrived and superficial, but its purpose is far more complex and interesting than what it has become – a staged event where a groundhog is physically forced out of its burrow to serve as a winter/spring barometer for humans. I don’t think that too many of us believe the groundhog has true divining powers. Why would we trust a rodent still groggy from a few months of sleep when the weather person who has access to billions of dollars of sophisticated equipment still can’t get it right?
Groundhog’s Day has its origins in a Celtic Festival called Imbolc, which translates to mean “in the belly” – with the “belly” being that of Mother Nature. This rite sought to remember that even when you look all around you and everything seems bleak and dead, there is always life and hope to be found. The womb of Mother Nature was not dead; instead, come spring it was getting ready to bring forth new life.
German immigrants known as the Pennsylvania Dutch are thought to have first brought the Groundhog Day tradition to North America in the eighteenth century. The groundhog is not the only animal used to predict spring. Other Europeans used the badger, bear or the hedgehog, but the honour always belonged to a creature that hibernated. Hibernating animals have what many people might consider the good fortune of being able to sleep through the winter. They may look dead but are still very much alive.
In early February, after many months of cold, we want and need reminding of nature’s ability to bring forth life once again. For me, Groundhog Day always brings to mind a Bette Midler song called “The Rose.” No matter how many times I hear this song, it always has the ability to give me goose bumps regardless of the temperature. It poetically reminds me that even when all seems lost, somewhere hidden from sight exists a seed that, if given time, will make its way to the surface so that hope, life, and love will flourish once again. Groundhog’s Day reminds people that, just like them, the rest of nature also eagerly awaits the coming of spring.
For more information on Fertility Goddesses, Groundhog Bellies & the Coca-Cola Company visit www.originsofholidays.com
