Imbolc, Candlemas, Groundhog's Day

Today is the halfway point between Yule and Spring Equinox, better known as Imbolc or Candlemas or Groundhog's Day.  It is a day steeped in religious history, both pagan and Christian.  In Irish/Gaelic tradition, it is a day to honor Brigit, or Saint Brigit, who is the Maiden aspect of the Triple Goddess or the Virgin.

It is widely known as the day for weather predictions, to see whether the groundhog or badger will come from its den and see its shadow, thus indicating a longer winter.  In olden days, it was the serpent that was watched on this day to see if it emerged to indicate that spring was soon to come.  An old Scottish poem says,

"The serpent will come from the hole
On the brown Day of Bride,
Though there should be three feet of snow
On the flat surface of the ground."