Hey there,

Today, February 2nd, marks the midway between the winter solstice and the spring equinox.

Here in Michigan, it feels like we’ve only made it halfway through winter, not exactly early-spring behavior. A cold front has been moving through many parts of the U.S., and everything seems frozen in time.

Today, following the Catholic tradition, it’s Candlemas (Mariä Lichtmess). In pre-Christian times, this day was also known as a “feast of lights” celebrating the returning strength of the life-giving sun as winter begins to loosen its grip.

And, naturally, people have long used this day to predict the weather.

Either in the (pre-)Christian tradition, as in this lovely proverb:

Wenn's an Lichtmess stürmt und schneit,
ist der Frühling nicht mehr weit;
ist es aber klar und hell,
kommt der Lenz wohl nicht so schnell. ()

If Candlemass brings wind and snow,
then spring will very soon show;
but if it’s very clear and bright,
then spring won’t come so right.

Or, as it’s known here in the U.S.: Groundhog Day.

The rule is very simple:
If the famous groundhog Punxsutawney Phil sees his shadow (typically on a sunny morning), we’ll have six more weeks of winter.
If he doesn’t see his shadow because it’s cloudy, we’ll have an early spring.

Today, it’s overcast with some flurries, but I’m sure you’d see a shadow.

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So… six more weeks of winter? 😏

That actually lands us right around the start of spring anyway, which feels comforting.
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Winter is saying, “Hey, I’m still here — but the light is coming back, and warmer weather is on the horizon.”

One more Candlemas detail I love: in many Catholic regions, this day is considered the closing of the Christmas season — which is why the last nativity scenes, (and sometimes even the tree and the lights) come down on or right after February 2.

I took down my tree a while ago as it started to lose its needles, but I’ll burn it outside today and bring more light into the darkness.

May the light prevail.

xx Antonie

Do it before you die.
Some day will never come.

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