Candlemas [Latha Fheill Bride] in Scotland

Fiddle Club member Patrick Wamsley writes:

While February 2nd is popularly known as "Groundhog Day" in the United States, the tradition of weather-forecasting animals originates in Europe. Because today was cloudy, Pennsylvania's Punxsutawney Phil "predicted" an early spring.

In Gaelic-speaking areas of Scotland, February 2nd was associated with the adder, the only poisonous snake in northern Europe.


Here's a Gaelic poem about Candlemas Day [Latha Fheill Bride]

Carmina Gadelica, Alexander Carmichael

Moch maduinn Bhride, Thig an nimhir as an toll;
Cha bhoin mise ris an nimhir, Cha bhoin an nimhir rium.
Thig an nathair as an toll, la donn Bride
Ged robh tri traighean dh' an t-sneachd air leachd an lair.

[Translation]
Early on Bride's morn, the serpent will come from the hollow
I will not molest the serpent, nor will the serpent molest me
The serpent will come from the hollow on the brown day of Bride
Though there should be three feet of snow on the ground

Also see
http://www.sacred-texts.com/neu/celt/cg1/cg1074.htm