Evening star., 1899-02-02
CAN DL E M AS DAY
Festival of the Publication of the
Virgin Mary.
BLESSING OF CANDLES And TAPERS
A Popular Superstition Attaching to
the Date.
SHADOW OF THE GROUNDHOG

This is a day of double significance. In
the calendar of the Roman Catholic Church
February is set aside as the festival of
the purification of the Virgin Mary. the
feast being known as CandlemaS, SO called
because the tapers and candles used in the
church throughout the year are consecrated
on this day. The feast is of great an
tiquity.
The day is more interesting to the super
sttious, however, in that it is believed to
be the one accepted time for weather prog
nostications. In the popular language of
the time this is grounding day when
this specimen of the rodent family sallies
forth from his subterranean place of abode.
The superstition goes that should the
grounding see his shadow he becomes
frightened hastens back into his hole,
pulls it in after him." and, no matter
what the weather bureau may say in the
matter, wintry weather will continue for
six weeks longer.
There is a question as TO what time Of
day the grounding or the woodchuck,
which is its proper name, ventures forth
from it's winter quarters below the sur
face. 1t is contended by many that the lit
tie animal remains indoors until the stroke
of noon and then, after elaborate prepara-
tons, steps out with trepidation. 1t is a
Wei-hnown fact that a characteristic of the
woodchuck is its midday incursions, and
from this it is surmised his observations as
to the weather are made at the noon hour.
Other persons, well versed in superstition
declare that should the sun shine at any
time during ''groundhog day 1t betokens
bad weather for some time to come.
Local Conditions.
The conditions in Washington today have
beeen generally cloudy, with the exception
of a period of clearness during the early
morning hours. There is no doubt the
grounGhog was frightened by his sun-cast
shadow, if he stayed long out-of-doors. The
conditions are comparatively favorable.
however, and the weather for the next six
weeks should be most acceptable.
Candlemas day services were held in
many of the Catholic churches of the city
this morning. when the usual impressive
ceremony of conSej rating the candles and
tapers was performed.
The belief that Candlemas day was of
special import for weather representation
long prevailed in Europe and still does, for
that matter. In Germany the belief that
the day in itself fOretold the kind of wealth
er to come was complicated with certain
beliefs concerning animals, the behavior of
the badger coming in for some special sup
erstitions. Accordingly, when European
superStitfOnS took new growth in the
United States the woodchuck or ground
hog was endowed with these same quail
ties, all depending, however, upon the same
ancient belief that clear and fine day on
cold spring, and cool summer, and bad
crops, while a cloudy, wet stormy Cam
dlemas proclaimed the opposite for the re-
mainder Of the year.
The "ArctOmys Monax."
In the country the grounding is a IA
miltar animal, but very few persons reared
in the city have ever seen one of the queer
little fellows, in appearance resembling a
large rat. Even the country folks have no
Idea of the animals real name and would
not recognize their superstitious- -encircied
friend by his scientific cognomen of are
tomyS monax."
The grounding is from fifteen to eighteen
inches long the color varying from black
ish to grizZled above, and chestnut red be-
low; the feet are always dark, and the tail
blackish, sometimes with grayish rings.
The form is thick and clumsy neck hardly
apparent, head broad and fat legs short
and thick, and tail short and hushy; the
nose Is wide, lips fun and tieshy, eyes small
and ears short The feet are large and
naked below; hair rather soft and whskers
long and stout
The woodchuck Is found from Hudson
bay to South Carolina, and west to the
neighborhood of the Rocky mountains.
From its Voracty and burrowing habits 1t
is called the grounding. 1t digs deep holes
i'll the fields, on the sides of hills or under
rocks In the woods. in a slanting direction,
at first upward to keep out the water. Sew
eraI compartments sne provided, and usual
ly more than one entrance. 1t passes the
winter In the burrow in a lethargic state
Its food consists of various plants, fruits
and vegetables. 1t is especially fond of
red clover. and frequently makes its in
cur5iOns at midday. posting Sentinels 1T
is very viglant and its sense of hearing is
remarkably acute. The grounding can fight
boldly when cornered and is more than a
a of Giz