Happy February 2nd. This is such an important date which signifies several different things. We are now one month into the new year – and thus one month closer to spring (at least in the Northern Hemisphere).
It is also the day of the Catholic Candlemass feast (in Danish Kyndelmisse in French Chandeleur) which is 40 days after Christmas, the date when Jesus was presented at the temple (Luke 2:22-40). Although in all honesty, this date has been celebrated since ancient times.
In France it ‘s also known as Fête de la Lumière (feast of the light) and le jour des crêpes (the day of crêpes) and it is celebrated by making and eating crêpes (honestly, how amazing a celebration is that?) 🇫🇷 🥞
So you officially have my permission to eat crêpes today (or even cheat and save if for the weekend), whether you prefer the sweet or the savoury kind (or both). My own favourite filling is Nutella + banana or lemon + sugar in sweet crêpes. Leave a comment below and let me know what YOUR favourite crêpe filling is.
Finally, it is, of course, also Groundhog Day 🦫
Groundhog Day is centered around a celebration in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania where a groundhog – known as Punxsutawney Phil – emerges from his burrow, and the legend says that if Phil does not see his shadow on this day, we can expect an early spring, whereas if he does see his shadow, we can expect six more weeks of winter.
Perhaps you know the 1993 movie Groundhog Day, starring Bill Murray.
The film takes the Punxsutawney celebrations as its point of departure when a superficial and conceited weatherman, who is also called Phil, gets stuck on February 2nd and has to relive that same day over and over and over and over and over again.
If one watches the movie closely enough, it becomes clear that he is stuck within that same date for decades (and some even say centuries) before he is allowed to finally, through the transformational journey he goes through, to wake up on February 3rd.
On the surface, the film is a lighthearted comedy, but I believe that it contains much deeper meanings than that and there are different possible interpretations of Phil’s story.
Definitely, the film is centered around the concept of whether one is able to see one’s shadow or not – both literally in the case of the Groundhog, who is able to see his shadow, and in an archetypal Jungian sense, in the case of the central character who is not able to see his.
Obviously, I could go on and on about this film and its deeper meanings and the importance of seeing the shadow (and I may even do that in the masterclass in The Virtual Café this coming Saturday), but for now, let me just tell you this:
This morning, February 2nd, 2023 in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, Phil the groundhog did see his shadow, so prepare for 6 more weeks of winter.
As the radio clock in the movie keeps repeating every morning over and over when Phil wakes up:
D.J. 1 : Okay, campers, rise and shine, and don’t forget your booties ’cause it’s cooooold out there today.
D.J. 2 : It’s coooold out there every day.
Click here if you want to see some wonderful clips from the film Groundhog Day
Wishing you a wonderful 02.02 with lots of crêpes,
Annette ☕️ 🥞
