Imbolc Countdown: Groundhog Day

What's not to love about groundhogs? They're super cute - I once saw one sitting in a field on his hind legs nibbling a daisy, much like the one in the photo. They're pretty smart; you don't often see a groundhog "napping" in the middle of the road, like raccoons and opossums tend to do. And the groundhog is quite possibly the only rodent who gets his very own holiday.

Groundhog Day doesn't just share a date with Imbolc -- did you know it actually does have its roots in Pagan customs? Going back as far as the ancient Greeks, there's a lot to be said for that whole animal-seeing-its-shadow bit. Learn about some of the traditions that led to the debut of Punxatawney Phil and his crew of top-hatted handlers here: Groundhog Day.

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