| Author | |
NavyMom
Forum Pro
Joined: Dec 16 2007
Location: Florida
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 154
|
| Posted: Jan 22 2008 at 9:55pm | IP Logged
|
 |
|
I have been reading all about Candlemas and am excited to celebrate it this year. Thanks to all of you, I have many ideas.
I noticed this is the same day as Groundhogs Day and (please don't laugh at me) I am wondering if any of you acknowledge this event? Even though it is sort of silly, I was still planning on reading "Gregory's Shadow" for fun with the kids.
If you do celebrate both, how do you do them on the same day? Is there a way to tie them together at all?
Or should I maybe forget about the silly groundhog and focus only on Candlemas?
__________________
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
guitarnan
Forum Moderator
Joined: Feb 07 2005
Location: Maryland
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 10883
|
| Posted: Jan 22 2008 at 10:02pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
LOL, 2/2 is ds's birthday...we don't worry about groundhogs here! (He'll be 16, wow.)
I think it's lovely to focus on Candlemas (or birthday candles), and somehow my dc haven't gotten into the groundhog thing. Perhaps it's because Feb. 2 is always gloomy where we've lived, so it's pretty obvious that winter has several looooonnnng weeks to go.
Still, Heidi, there's nothing wrong with reading a good book with your children...what better way to celebrate any day than with great books?! (Especially if your dh happens to be far away and you just feel like snuggling on the sofa with your children...)
__________________
Nancy in MD. Mom of ds (24) & dd (18); 31-year Navy wife, move coordinator and keeper of home fires. Writer and dance mom.
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
MaryM
Board Moderator
Joined: Feb 11 2005
Location: Colorado
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 13104
|
| Posted: Jan 22 2008 at 10:07pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
Heidi, this is not a silly connection at all. These two events are not as disconnected as you might think.
Europeans have traditional belief about how Candlemas weather predicts the length of winter.
German immigrants to the United States brought their Candlemas traditions with them when they settled in Pennsylvania. The earliest known American reference to Groundhog Day can be found at the Historical Society of Berks County in Reading, Pennsylvania. The reference was made Feb. 4, 1841 in Morgantown, Berks County, Pennsylvania storekeeper James Morris' diary: "Last Tuesday, the 2nd, was Candlemas day, the day on which, according to the Germans, the Groundhog peeps out of his winter quarters and if he sees his shadow he pops back for another six weeks nap, but if the day be cloudy he remains out, as the weather is to be moderate." (from Wikipedia)
This is a Scottish poem about Candlemas Day (definitely can see where the idea of foretelling the future of winter, i.e. groundhog day has origins).
As the light grows longer
The cold grows stronger
If Candlemas be fair and bright
Winter will have another flight
If Candlemas be cloud and snow
Winter will be gone and not come again
A farmer should on Candlemas day
Have half his corn and half his hay
On Candlemas day if thorns hang a drop
You can be sure of a good pea crop
__________________
Mary M. in Denver
Our Domestic Church
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
lapazfarm
Forum All-Star
Joined: July 21 2005
Location: Alaska
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 6082
|
| Posted: Jan 22 2008 at 11:51pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
Mary, that is fascinating!
As far as groundhogs day goes, we are studying North American mammals right now, so the groundhog will be our animal to study that day.
__________________
Theresa
us-schooling in beautiful Fairbanks, Alaska.
LaPaz Home Learning
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
MaryM
Board Moderator
Joined: Feb 11 2005
Location: Colorado
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 13104
|
| Posted: Jan 23 2008 at 12:07am | IP Logged
|
|
|
I generally like Gail Gibbons' books on animals and have been meaning to check this one out (just published last year).
Groundhog Day!
__________________
Mary M. in Denver
Our Domestic Church
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Dawn
Forum All-Star
Joined: June 12 2005
Location: Massachusetts
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 3191
|
| Posted: Jan 23 2008 at 5:50am | IP Logged
|
|
|
NavyMom wrote:
If you do celebrate both, how do you do them on the same day? Is there a way to tie them together at all?
Or should I maybe forget about the silly groundhog and focus only on Candlemas? |
|
|
Oh, Heidi, I think the groundhog thing is fun! We always watch the morning news on 2/2 to see Phil's prediction. 
Here's how we combined the two ideas last year: Happy Candlemas!
__________________
Dawn, mum to 3 boys 
By Sun and Candlelight
The Nature Corner
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
NavyMom
Forum Pro
Joined: Dec 16 2007
Location: Florida
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 154
|
| Posted: Jan 23 2008 at 7:54am | IP Logged
|
|
|
Wow! I had no idea these days were related! I am intrigued to learn even more. I love our Catholic faith. The more I learn about it, I am just amazed!
Thanks for sharing ladies.
__________________
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
marihalojen
Forum All-Star
Joined: Feb 12 2006
Location: Florida
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1883
|
| Posted: Jan 23 2008 at 10:09am | IP Logged
|
|
|
Heidi, you might enjoy reading through the Loveliness Fair for Candlemas held last year by Suzanne at Blessed Among Men.
__________________
~Jennifer
Mother to Mariannna, age 13
The Mari Hal-O-Jen
SSR = Sailing, Snorkling, Reading
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
NavyMom
Forum Pro
Joined: Dec 16 2007
Location: Florida
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 154
|
| Posted: Jan 23 2008 at 12:33pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
Jennifer-
I saw that, but plan to go back and read more! There is a lot of good stuff.
Thanks for sharing.
__________________
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
MaryM
Board Moderator
Joined: Feb 11 2005
Location: Colorado
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 13104
|
| Posted: Jan 24 2008 at 9:17pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
Today at the library on display - The Groundhog Day Book of Facts and Fun - so we checked it out.
Cute book - info on Punxsutawney Phil, how seasons change, general groundhog info, hibernation, history of groundhog day
Their history is generally okay and it mentions the link to Candlemas but explains the origin of Candlemas as coming from St. Brigid not the Presentation. Anyway, still it is okay.
What is really cool is the last chapter which is activites. There are several shadow games listed, a craft that is a pop-up groundhog (pom-pom/googly eyed groundhog in a paper cup with a craft stick attached to push it out), and food ideas (oh, plus goofy groundhog riddles like "What's a groundhog's favorite food?" - Burrow-itos.)
Older thread: Candlemas
__________________
Mary M. in Denver
Our Domestic Church
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
nicole-amdg
Forum Pro
Joined: April 16 2007
Location: Georgia
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 387
|
| Posted: Feb 02 2008 at 11:39am | IP Logged
|
|
|
Happy Candlemas!
Our priest said today that Groundhog Day has its origins in Candlemas' tradition of the procession that begins outdoors in the dark of morning. All the lit candles confuse the little critters into thinking it's daylight. I laughed as my daughter leaned over and said, "It's Groundhog Day?"
__________________
Nicole
Wife to
Mom to      
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
SuzanneG
Forum Moderator
Joined: June 17 2006
Location: Idaho
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 5465
|
| Posted: Jan 30 2009 at 5:45pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
Bumping this and adding this Listmania list about books for Groundhog Day:
Groundhog Day Stories for Children
__________________
Suzanne in ID
Wife to Pete
Mom of 7 (Girls - 14, 12, 11, 9, 7 and Boys - 4, 1)
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Maggie
Forum All-Star
Joined: Dec 01 2007
Location: N/A
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 712
|
| Posted: Feb 23 2009 at 10:20pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
Why is it that I have never heard of Candlemas until a friend who goes to a Traditional parish sent me a Traditional Calendar? Is it still an official feast day? Any help is appreciated...sorry for jumping in late...
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
MaryM
Board Moderator
Joined: Feb 11 2005
Location: Colorado
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 13104
|
| Posted: Feb 23 2009 at 11:22pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
You likely hadn't heard of it because on the current litugical calendar it is referred to as the Feast of the Presentation. Candlemas is an alternate name that is sometimes used but isn't as common anymore. It can be used interchangeably, though the Feast of the Presentation more specifically describes what is being commemorated that day.
__________________
Mary M. in Denver
Our Domestic Church
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
MaryM
Board Moderator
Joined: Feb 11 2005
Location: Colorado
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 13104
|
| Posted: Feb 02 2013 at 12:13pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
Bumping...
Happy Candlemas, Happy Groundhog Day
I thought this was a super cute treat idea...
__________________
Mary M. in Denver
Our Domestic Church
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
MaryM
Board Moderator
Joined: Feb 11 2005
Location: Colorado
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 13104
|
| Posted: Jan 29 2014 at 9:54pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
Another cute treat for groundhog day this year.
She Knows food & recipe blog
And linking to our Groundhog Day picture books thread.
__________________
Mary M. in Denver
Our Domestic Church
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
4Real Forums : Across Time and Place
Topic: candlemas and groundhogs day
