There’s a book called “Calendrical Calculations” which I got (and read a lot of) in the course of designing and implementing a Date class. It was fun to learn all that stuff. I still remember a (very) little of it!
Easter falls on the First Sunday (this year is today April 17th) following the first full moon (this year was yesterday April 16th) following the Vernal Equinox* (the first day of Spring – this year was March 20th).
Curiously, with so many ecumenical and political influences, Easter remains the same for most folks who follow the teachings. They welcome it in their way no matter the date and they gain from it in ways others can’t or won’t understand. T’is ever thus.
Groundhog’s Day – which shares its date with a number of other holidays – is exactly in between the winter solstice and the spring equinox, and halfway around the year from Halloween.
February 2 is also known in the Old Religion, i.e., “paganism,” as Lady Day, and has considerable meaning in that context. Easter can trace it’s historical roots to Passover, and beyond that, again to the Old Religion. It is ironic that the social symbolism of Easter, rabbits and eggs, can also be seen as fertility symbols.
I’m surprised that Mr. Mallett, who obviously considers himself both highly educated and highly intelligent, apparently doesn’t know that.
groundhog day is a hitchhiker on Imbolc, a crossquarter day, midway between winter solstice and spring equinox. But it didn’t have any advocates tying it down to old solar timekeeping, in the rodent form it was a production of the same capitalism that brought us standard time to help out railroad timetables
Groundhog Day USED to be "Candlemas Day.’ “Half your wood and half your hay you must have by Candlemas Day.” so I guess it is also halfway between the onset of Winter and the Equinox.
Cactus-Pete over 2 years ago
Finally Frazz calls a kid on his nonsense.
Concretionist over 2 years ago
There’s a book called “Calendrical Calculations” which I got (and read a lot of) in the course of designing and implementing a Date class. It was fun to learn all that stuff. I still remember a (very) little of it!
Bilan over 2 years ago
Is Frazz implying that there won’t be six more weeks of winter if Phil sees his shadow? C’mon!
Doug K over 2 years ago
Easter falls on the First Sunday (this year is today April 17th) following the first full moon (this year was yesterday April 16th) following the Vernal Equinox* (the first day of Spring – this year was March 20th).
*in the Northern Hemisphere
Geophyzz over 2 years ago
As we say in church, “He is risen!” HAPPY EASTER everyone!
sandpiper over 2 years ago
Curiously, with so many ecumenical and political influences, Easter remains the same for most folks who follow the teachings. They welcome it in their way no matter the date and they gain from it in ways others can’t or won’t understand. T’is ever thus.
Peace to all.
JamieLee Premium Member over 2 years ago
The date people celebrate Jesus’ birth doesn’t float. Why does the date of his death and resurrection? I’ve never understood that.
Ignatz Premium Member over 2 years ago
That’s because it’s connected to Passover.
oakie817 over 2 years ago
was great movie
zwilnik64 over 2 years ago
Ground Hog Day is about Bill Murray playing a grouch who is trapped in a time loop until he gets a better attitude. That’s not nothing.
conuly over 2 years ago
Groundhog’s Day – which shares its date with a number of other holidays – is exactly in between the winter solstice and the spring equinox, and halfway around the year from Halloween.
scaeva Premium Member over 2 years ago
February 2 is also known in the Old Religion, i.e., “paganism,” as Lady Day, and has considerable meaning in that context. Easter can trace it’s historical roots to Passover, and beyond that, again to the Old Religion. It is ironic that the social symbolism of Easter, rabbits and eggs, can also be seen as fertility symbols.
I’m surprised that Mr. Mallett, who obviously considers himself both highly educated and highly intelligent, apparently doesn’t know that.
drkala over 2 years ago
groundhog day is a hitchhiker on Imbolc, a crossquarter day, midway between winter solstice and spring equinox. But it didn’t have any advocates tying it down to old solar timekeeping, in the rodent form it was a production of the same capitalism that brought us standard time to help out railroad timetables
alwhiting over 2 years ago
To illustrate the point, my first, twelfth and seventy fourth (today) birthdays fell on Easter.
JeanLuc over 2 years ago
Groundhog day IS about something. It’s midway between winter solstice and spring equinox. Look up Imbolc.
anomaly over 2 years ago
Groundhog Day is all about annoying groundhogs.
Mary McNeil Premium Member over 2 years ago
Groundhog Day USED to be "Candlemas Day.’ “Half your wood and half your hay you must have by Candlemas Day.” so I guess it is also halfway between the onset of Winter and the Equinox.
lindz.coop Premium Member over 2 years ago
It’s about cute little groundhogs….