The Origins of Ground Hog Day

Most people think that Ground Hog Day is an innocuous little custom that we have to keep us from going nuts during the depths of winter.

Actually nothing could be further from the truth. Actually the origins of Ground Hog day go to ancient times and reference forces of dark and light much deeper. The true tail goes to ancient Persia where the Zoroastrian religion focused on Mithra - a dualistic religion based on gods of light and good versus dark and evil.

During the middle of the winter quarter, Zoroastrian legend had it that Mithra was captured by his evil counterpart Angra. Mithra is totally imprisoned and without his presence the world will not return to light (Spring and Summer). Put into a mountain cell, Mithra is befriended by a mountain marmot who he sends to the City of the Gods where they gather a force and after a six week siege they free Mithra returning the world to light.

This legend followed the worship of Mithra. Mithra was a challenger to Christianity in ancient Rome. Although Christianity prevailed, the dualistic faith infiltrated. There have been numerous dualistic heresies in Christianity. One of these manifestations has been the worship during the middle of the winter quarter of the small mammal that is the harbinger of the coming of light. Although, not everywhere has the mountain marmot, various cultures have adopted others such as are own ground hog.

So while you may thin yo are celebrating lightly - you are in fact celebrating Light.