Happy Groundhog Day!

http://hexmagazine.com/newsletter/imbolccharming-of-the-plow-news-2011/

In the United States, today is  Groundhog Day. We all tune in to see if Puxsutawney Phil will see his shadow, forecasting six more weeks of winter.  This year, seems ole Phil predicts we'll have an early spring.  I sure hope he's right! 

Here in Oklahoma, the weather is very spring-like. I've seen some very small buds on trees. Yesterday, I had a flock of migrating Robins stop in for a drink. When the Robins arrive, can Spring be far behind?

Today is also known as Candlemass, Imbolc, and/or Disting (Charming of the Plow).  The idea comes from our European immigrant ancestors and their pagan past.  They brought their weather lore with them when they crossed the big waters. 

The Scottish had this poem:
If Candlemas Day is bright and clear,
There'll be two winters in the year.

The English:
If Candlemas be fair and bright,
Winter has another flight.
If Candlemas brings clouds and rain,
Winter will not come again.

Disting means "Assembly of the Goddess" and was the first public moot of the year in Sweden.  In other Northern countries, this day marked the first day the fields were plowed.  Needless to say, it was an important event as the fertility of the fields meant a year of plenty or a year of hunger. 

Today is a good day to start taking stock of your gardening equipment.  Check the oil and gas in your lawn mower and your modern day plow, your tiller. Sharpen the blades. Clean off last year's dirt.  Start sprouting seeds to transplant next month.  And don't forget to say a word of thanks to your personal higher power for the bounty of gifts the Earth provides for us.