Punxsutawney Phil, that prognosticatin’ Pennsylvania groundhog, was pulled from his burrow this morning and promptly saw his shadow. That means six more weeks of winter, according to tradition.
The crowd at Gobbler’s Knob reportedly booed when they heard the result. (Now Phil knows how Santa Claus felt.) But be not dismayed: Last year Phil saw no shadow, which is supposed to mean an early spring. And we know how that turned out.
Historically, “shadow” happens six times more often than “no shadow.” Given Phil’s 2012 prediction, the results are now: 99 years for shadow and 15 years for no shadow.
Phil’s handlers at Gobbler’s Knob insist that “Punxsutawney Phil’s forecasts are not made in advance by the Inner Circle. After Phil emerges from his burrow on February 2nd, he speaks to the Groundhog Club President in Groundhogese. His proclamation is then translated for the world.”
Whatever you say, boys! Here was their Punxsutawney Phil’s formal proclamation for 2012:
Hear Ye Hear Ye Year Ye
On Gobbler’s Knob on this magnificent Groundhog Day, February 2nd, 2012.
Punxsutawney Phil, the Seer of Seers, the Prognosticator of all Prognosticators, was summoned from his borrow in the old oak stump by the tap of President Bill Deeley.
He greeted his handlers, John Griffiths and Ron Ploucha.
After casting an appreciative glance towards thousands of his faithful followers,
Phil proclaimed,
As I look at the crowd on Gobbler’s Knob
Many shadows do I see
So six more weeks of winter it must be!
Smart of Phil to name-check his handlers. He knows which side of the shadow his bread is buttered on.
See our full biography of Punxsutawney Phil »
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