Feb 2 (this year) marks one of the traditional “cross-quarter” days of the year, halfway between the winter solstice and the spring (vernal) equinox. Astronomically, it occurs specifically at 6:50pm Eastern Standard Time on Feb 2. This specific event was celebrated by ancient Gaelic cultures, no doubt using various stone henges to mark the time, as the deep, low point of winter, and called “Imbolc”. From here on out, presumably, the weather will be warming as the days continue to lengthen toward the vernal equinox. (These cultures also seemed to subscribe to my 8-season model of the year – we are entering what I call “Groundhog Days”).

“Imbolc” translates to “in the belly”, or “in the belly of the Mother”, and refers to the flocks of sheep who are either giving birth, or soon will, at this time of year. The name appropriately describes the hope associated with birth and the coming spring.

The astronomical event is NOT the same as Groundhog Day – but they did correlate at one time. You can see the similarities associated with hope of a coming spring, but Imbolc marks a specific moment governed by Earth’s orbit. Groundhog Day (which derived from celebrations Imbolc and evolved to include badgers, courtesy of German tradition, and then Groundhogs in North America), is now a particular day, Feb 2. This year, they happen to line up, but that isn’t always true.

The other cross-quarter events are May Eve, Lammas, and Halloween. Similarly, these have all become fixed to the calendar, drifting away from and obscuring the astronomical significance of the event.

So, as you chuckle this year about the weather prognostication abilities of a marmot, and possibly become emotionally connected to the groundhog’s predictions, remember that this hope, and marking passage of this mid-season low point is something that people have been doing for thousands of years.

Get Out There!