Image: WikipediaToday, February 2, is Candlemas Day, the day upon which the season of Winter in the northern hemisphere is half over. The end can't come soon enough for a lot of folks.
An old English folk song declares:
If Candlemas be fair and bright
Come, Winter, have another flight.
If Candlemas brings clouds and rain,
Go Winter, and come not again.
This day is also known as Groundhog Day (lots of information), and here in the U.S. we direct our attention to Punxsutawney Phil. He popped his head up to bright sunshine this morning, and left us with a dread of six weeks more of Winter to come. For more information on Phil, go here.
In addition, February 2nd is celebrated as the Pagan Festival of Lights, St. Brigit's Day (Ireland) and in the Roman Catholic church, the Purification of the Blessed Virgin and The Feast of the Presentation of Christ in the Temple.
Today is also the birthday of my teacher/mentor Mrs. V., about whom I have been writing in a series of posts titled "Caught in the Web of Words." I lost track of Mrs. V. when she and her family left Clinton, AR to move to California. I know that she passed away years ago, but upon what day I know not. I'm thinking about you today, Mrs. V.
