PUNXSUTAWNEY PHIL Biography - Religious Figures & Icons

 
 

Biography » religious figures icons » punxsutawney phil

PUNXSUTAWNEY PHIL

Punxsutawney Phil, the "seer of seers and prognosticator of prognosticators,"               
is a groundhog resident of Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, USA. On February 2, (Groundhog       
Day) of each year, the town of Punxsutawney celebrates the beloved groundhog                 
with a festive atmosphere of music and food. During the ceremony, which begins               
well before the winter sunrise, Phil emerges from his temporary home on Gobbler's           
Knob, located in a rural area about 2 miles east of town. According to the                   
tradition, if Phil sees his shadow and returns to his hole, the United States               
will have six more weeks of winter. If Phil does not see his shadow, spring will             
arrive early. The date of Phil's prognostication is known as Groundhog Day in               
the United States and Canada. During the rest of the year, Phil lives in the                 
town library with his "wife" Phyllis.                                                       
                                                                                             
A club of Phil enthusiasts, known as the Punxsutawney "Save the Bearded Owls"               
Club, take care of the famed rodent year-round. A select group, called the Inner             
Circle, also plan the annual ceremony. Members of the Inner Circle are                       
recognizable by their top hats and tuxedos.