An old Christian celebration that marked the midway point between the winter solstice and the summer equinox, Candlemas was a European tradition dating back to long before the 1886 official observance date. During this celebration, local clergy members would bless candles that were much needed by their parishioners to get them through the dark winter months. Then, they distributed the candles to get them through the rest of the season.
Superstition began to follow this tradition, and it was believed that if the distribution and the celebration would occur on a clear and sunny day, the rest of the winter could be expected to be unpleasant, rough, and longer in duration. However, if the weather was warmer and the skies cloudy, it was believed that spring was just around the corner. Around the time of the event, young children would sing English rhymes regarding the celebration:
“If Candlemas be fair and bright,
Come, Winter, have another flight;
If Candlemas brings clouds and rain,
Go Winter, and come not again.”
The German tradition added its own little twist to the superstition revolving around the celebration, which was believed to have been passed down to the German people by Roman conquerors. They would present a hedgehog to help determine the weather conditions. If the day was clear and sunny, the hedgehog would emerge to find his shadow and the prediction of a long or secondary winter would be proclaimed. However, if the hedgehog emerged for the celebration on a cloudy day, he would not see his shadow, and the prediction would be that spring would come soon.
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