Besides Candle Mass and the Irish festival of Imbolc February 2nd is also Groundhog’s Day. The origins of this day are sketch at best, possible being derived from Candle Mass and then other suggests the pagan Imbolc. Imbolc was an important day among the pagan Irish as the usual time of the birth of the spring lambs. Imbolc can be translated as meaning ‘First milk’ or “In the Belly’. Thus, Imbolc would likely have a certain identification with spring. It would stand to reason that the old time Irish would look for al manner of signs of warm weather.
Groundhog’s Day is likely one such event. If the groundhog see’s it’s shadow, it will go back into its burrow and stay for six weeks. If the day is sunny then winter will continue and the crops in the coming year will fail. If there is no sunshine, then the reverse is true. It is quite possible that the original was the bear leaving its burro and its shadow will be the sign of the future weather patterns. February itself derives its name from Roman god Februus, a deity of purification and underworld. Februus may also have been re-invented as Febris, a goddess of fevers and sweating. At this time fevers were seen as purifying and as a means of purifying the bod of diseases. Februus was honored on February 15th which link it to Valentine’s Day. And so, it goes.