Long shadows crossed campus this February 2. Yet from Proctor in Costa Rica, we are taunted by this image of Tripp snorkling while we're dealing with mid-winter chill.

 

 

Thanks for the photo, Tripp! Keep them coming, while we suffer.  Or not. That's the point.... Many of us--perhaps the majority--embrace the winter we expect in northern New England. 

Groundhog Day is a remnant of the Pagan/Christian observance of the moment midway between the Solstice and Equinox that--in the ancient calendar--fell on February 2; (it would be February 16 on our calendar.) It's all about sunlight and shadow. 






The German-American verse:

As the light grows longer
The cold grows stronger
If Candlemas be fair and bright
Winter will have another flight
If Candlemas be cloud and snow
Winter will be gone and not come again

In modern meteorologic terms, the idea was that a sunny "Candlemas" meant that a cold, high pressure system was dominant over the north, and was relatively stationary (at least for six weeks.) Ironically, on February 2, we're experiencing truly warm sunshine, not the cold assumed to accompany a groundhog's shadow. 




Shadows are still long at midday.




Yet the sun is finally shining on snow in front of Yarrow's Lodge at the Blackwater Ski Area, where members of the cross country team are warming up.


 

Ultimately, Groundhog Day is all about light.


 

Whether on the slopes, or in the rays in Lovejoy Library....

 

The sun is setting 38 minutes later than at the winter solstice, and we notice it.

 

It's time to schedule for spring term courses.....


 c

Dark afternoons can apparently affect biorhythms!