Starwatch: The Groundhog Speaks StarWatch 858 for the week of
January 27, 2013 By Gary Becker A marvelous little celebration
occurs on Saturday, Feb. 2, where a feted groundhog named
Punxsutawney Phil, in Punxsutawney, PA is going to predict
whether winter is over or the season of cold will extend to the
vernal equinox. P-Phil will speak to his top hat handler in a
language known as “groundhogese,” a word absent from the
dictionary, to convey his sentiments on the seasonal
adjustments. If conditions are gloomy on Feb. 2, and Phil does
not see his shadow at daybreak, an early spring is at hand. If,
however, the sun is shining and Phil observes his stretched
silhouette, the cold will continue for another six weeks. The
link between astronomy and Groundhog Day is actually
straightforward. We have four major seasons occurring during a
year, each separated by three months. It is no coincidence that
Christmas and Easter became religious holidays near the start of
two of these special times. While pagan Rome was cel