Overview
The children of Noah celebrated the 1st day of each quarter which was called a ‘quarter day’ and they celebrated the ’cross quarter days’ which occurred in the middle of each quarter. In the past each nation that descended from Noah established traditions they followed on these dates, probably based on the teachings of Noah. After Christ came and died, traditions were later changed as part of the Pope’s Christianization of the nation’s process. The Pope changed previously established holidays to new holidays so that we would forget our past. This article is to document how Noah releasing the dove from the ark has evolved to ground hog day.
Above is the ancient Celtic wheel of the year that reflects their calendar and shows the quarter days and cross-quarter days. It is a 364-day calendar that works just like the Dead Sea Scroll Temple Calendar, Book of Enoch calendar and the Book of Jubilees calendar. Egyptians, Celts, Aztec, Mayan, Israelites, Essences, early Icelandic, Vikings and some early Christians used this 364-day Calendar. The 364-day calendar had 52 weeks a year and was divided into 91 days for each season. Since I have discussed this calendar many times on this site, I will not go into any further details on this page.
When we transitioned from a 364-day calendar to a 365.25-day calendar, traditional dates were assigned to observes past feast days. So, the old date of the 15th of the Eleventh month became February 1st or 2nd.
Here is a summary of the ancient quarter days and cross quarter days:
|
Dead Sea Scroll Date |
Georgian Calendar Date |
Holiday |
Type |
|
1/1 |
About Mar 20th |
Religious & Agricultural New Year’s Day, Easter (East Star), Lady Day |
Quarter Day |
|
2/15 |
About May 1st |
May Day, Beltane (bright fire), beginning of summer when cattle moves to the summer pastures, maypole. Greek All Saints Day. |
Cross Quarter |
|
4/1 |
About Jun 17th |
Midsummer Quarter |
Quarter Day |
|
5/15 |
About Aug 2nd |
Lammas Day or Loaf Day (first fruits of the harvest), Lughneasadh (begin Harvest, make corn dolls) Athletic Contests |
Cross Quarter |
|
7/1 |
About Sep 18th |
Michaelmas Quarter, Feast of Trumpets, pair sheep, make wine |
Quarter Day |
|
8/15 |
About Nov 1st |
All Hallows Day, Samhain ‘Sow-in’ (Final Harvest In, Herds In), Hunting. Rome All Saints Day |
Cross Quarter |
|
10/1 |
About Dec 16th |
Christmas Quarter, Festival of Lights & Feast of the Dedication |
Quarter Day |
|
11/15 |
About Feb 1st or 2nd |
Candlemas, Imbolic (start of Spring, spring cleaning, & crosses paraded house to house) & Dutch Ground Hog’s Day |
Cross Quarter |
The Quarter Days in Jubilees
The First Day of each Quarter was declared a festival (feast) day and these dates are called Quarter Days:
“And on the beginning of the first month, and on the beginning of the fourth month, and on the beginning of the seventh month, and on the beginning of the tenth month are the days of remembrance, and the days of the seasons in the four divisions of the year. These are written and ordained as a testimony for ever. And Noah ordained them for himself as feasts for the generations for ever, so that they have become thereby a memorial unto him. And on the beginning of the first month he was bidden to make for himself an ark, and on that (day) the earth became dry and he opened (the ark) and saw the earth. And on the beginning of the fourth month the mouths of the depths of the abyss beneath were closed. And on the beginning of the seventh month all the mouths of the abysses of the earth were opened, and the waters began to descend into them. And on the beginning of the tenth month the tops of the mountains were seen, and Noah was glad. And on this account he ordained them for himself as feasts for a memorial for ever, and thus are they ordained. And they placed them on the heavenly tablets, each had thirteen weeks; from one to another (passed) their memorial, from the first to the second, and from the second to the third, and from the third to the fourth. And all the days of the commandment will be two and fifty weeks of days, and (these will make) the entire year complete. Thus it is engraven and ordained on the heavenly tablets. And there is no neglecting (this commandment) for a single year or from year to year.” Jubilees 6:23-31
Notice that according to the Book of Jubilees celebrating the first day of each quarter is mandatory and today there are many local festivals surrounding these dates (Spring Festivals, Fall Festivals, etc).
The instruction to celebrate the cross-quarter day festivals are not documented anywhere that I have found; however, there is lots of proof they were celebrated. Two crossed sticks in ancient paleo Hebrew (t or x) means owner’s mark, sign or signal; Therefore, it would show the owner ship of our Father in Heaven. Below are a couple of old newspaper articles showing that England did observe quarter and cross-quarter days.
1883 - Quarter Days
This newspaper article reflects the quarter days in England were; Christmas, Lady Day, Midsummer and Michaelmas. It goes on to state the cross-quarter days were; Candlemas, Whitsuntide, Lammas, and Martinmas.
Source is in the last column ‘Clippings for the Curious’ https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn84009409/1883-11-15/ed-1/seq-2.pdf
1910 – Old English Holidays
February 2nd is Candlemas, festival of the purification of the Virgin. Consecration of the lighted candles to be used in the church during the year. February 14th is the old Candlemas, St. Valentines Day. The dates changed when the Georgian calendar was implemented.
Lady day, Midsummer day, Michaelmas and Christmas are quarter (rent) days in England, and Whitsunday, Martinmas Candlemas and Lammas day in Scotland.
Column 4 https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn86091084/1910-05-21/ed-1/seq-7.pdf
Festivals of February 2nd Summary – Cross Quarter Day
Now we will turn our focus to the cross-quarter day, now called Ground Hog Day in the United States. First below is a is a summary of some of the festivals held on February 2nd, some of them I will go into more details below.
|
Culture |
Festival |
Festival Description |
|
Bible Patriarch |
Noah’s Dove Release |
Noah releases dove and it returns with an olive branch, in between the two quarters days. On the quarter day of the Dead Sea Scroll Calendar of 10/1, the mountains tops could be seen. Forty days later, 11/10, the raven was released. Seven days later, 11/17, the dove was released and returned with the olive branch. Then on the quarter day of the first day of the first month, Noah could see the ground was dry. Therefore, after the dove returned with the olive branch, the earth was in hibernation another 45 days. |
|
Gaelic Irish Scottish Manx |
Imbolc Lá Fhéile BrÃde Saint Brigid Day Beginning of Spring |
A festival marking the beginning of spring and the midpoint between the winter solstice and spring equinox. It is a time for honoring the Saint Brigid, focusing on purification and cleaning, healing, the return of light, and the first signs of fertility, such as lambing. Crafting Brigid’s crosses from reeds or straw. Lighting candles, and creating dolls to represent the Saint Brigid. Parading through the village from house to house. Many put their Brigid cross above their front door lentil (reminds me of Passover preps). |
|
Celtic European Scandinavian |
Feast of the Bears |
This feast was originally part of Imbolc. An ancient European folk tradition tied to Candlemas, where hibernating animals (bears, badgers, or hedgehogs) emerging from dens foretell the weather. If the bear sees its shadow, it indicates six more weeks of winter; no shadow suggests an early spring. This European, animal-based tradition is the direct precursor to American Groundhog Day, as mentioned by the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club. The Great Bear constellation will start climbing up out of hibernation also from beyond the horizon, fully emerging into view low in the northeastern part of the sky after sundown by the beginning of February. |
|
Romania |
Stretenie (Meeting of the Lord) or "Bear's Day." |
This day marks a transition to spring, focusing on blessing children, predicting weather, and honoring Orthodox traditions. Stretenie (Meeting of the Lord): A religious day where women with children attend church to pray for health. Bear's Day (Ziua Ursului) is traditionally, it is believed the bear emerges from its den. If it sees its shadow, winter lasts longer. According to folklore traditions: It is considered a time when nature begins to wake up. It is also referred to as a day for agricultural rituals, such as Tarcolitul Viilor (inspecting the vineyards). |
|
Hungary |
Gyertyaszentelő Boldogasszony Candlemas, the Feast of the Presentation of Jesus Christ |
Today children often dress up as bears, light candles and eat honey, but the bears' foretelling is still a well-known event. Folklore has it that on this day, bears come out of their dens and if they see their shadows (because it's sunny), they get scared of it and go back to sleep, which is thought to mean that it will be cold again. If, on the other hand, there is no shadow, they stay outside, knowing that this is the last attempt of winter and that the cold weather will soon ease. |
|
German Pennsylvania Dutch |
Ground Hog Day |
Originally was a badger but was changed to a ground hog when they immigrated to Pennsylvania. Now a tradition in North America where a groundhog's emergence from its burrow is said to predict the early arrival of spring or a continued winter. |
|
Alaska French |
Marmot Day |
Marmot Day is celebrated, replacing Groundhog Day with a holiday honoring marmot. |
|
English |
Candlemas Day Purification of Mary |
Historically, English people celebrated Candlemas by blessing candles for church and home use, holding processions, and treating it as the formal end of Christmas. It was a major, often festive, day for predicting weather, concluding winter agricultural work, and, in medieval times, hosting large, guild-led processions. Known as the Festival of the Purification of Mary and Presentation of Jesus, churches held services where candles were blessed, symbolizing Christ as the light of the world. In medieval times, craft guilds organized elaborate processions with candles. Many took down Christmas decorations and greenery (such as holly and ivy) on this day, rather than Twelfth Night called Epiphany. |
|
France Belgium |
Candlemas La Fête de la Chandeleur |
La Fête de la Chandeleur is known as Candlemas in English, often referred to as "Crêpe Day" or "French Pancake Day". Celebrated on February 2nd, exactly 40 days after Christmas, it combines a religious tradition (presentation of Jesus at the Temple) with the cultural, superstitious, and culinary custom of eating round, golden crêpes to represent the sun and returning light. There are many proverbs warning of the consequences of specific weather at Chandeleur: if it’s sunny at Candlemas winter will continue bringing bad luck. Others warned of 40 days lost if snow was still on the ground. In Belgium, it is customary to eat pancakes. All the candles in the house should be lit. It is believed that a clear sky on Candlemas foretells a beneficial year for beekeepers. |
|
Mexican |
DÃa de la Candelaria |
DÃa de la Candelaria (Candlemas) is celebrated. This tradition often involves dressing the Niño Dios (baby Jesus) and eating tamales. |
|
Hindu |
Basant Panchami |
Basant Panchami in honor of the Hindu goddess Saraswati, is a festival that marks the preparation for the arrival of spring. The festival is celebrated in Indian religions in different ways depending on the region. Vasant Panchami also marks the start of preparation for Holika and Holi, which take place forty days later. The Vasant Utsava (festival) on Panchami is celebrated forty days before spring, because any season's transition period is 40 days, and after that, the season comes into full bloom. |
Noah Releases the Dove
The first occurrence of the date that translates to February 2nd is when Noah releases the dove and it returns with an olive branch.
“And the waters continued to abate until the tenth month; in the tenth month, on the first day of the month [Dec 18th], the tops of the mountains were seen. At the end of forty days [Jan 26th] Noah opened the window of the ark that he had made and sent forth a raven. It went to and fro until the waters were dried up from the earth. Then he sent forth a dove from him, to see if the waters had subsided from the face of the ground. But the dove found no place to set her foot, and she returned to him to the ark, for the waters were still on the face of the whole earth. So he put out his hand and took her and brought her into the ark with him. He waited another seven days [Feb 2nd], and again he sent forth the dove out of the ark. And the dove came back to him in the evening, and behold, in her mouth was a freshly plucked olive leaf. So Noah knew that the waters had subsided from the earth. Then he waited another seven days [Feb 9th] and sent forth the dove, and she did not return to him anymore.” ESV Gen 8:5-12
The Feast of Imbolc and Saint Brigid
The Gaelic, Irish, Scottish and Manx tradition was Imbolc and Saint Brigid Day held on the cross-quarter day of February the 2nd.
1903 – St. Brigid’s Day
Sermon will be preached regarding St. Brigid on the patronal feast of St. Brigit day.
Source in Column 5: https://www.loc.gov/resource/sn86069180/1903-01-31/ed-1/?sp=3&q=St+Brigid%27s+Day&r=0.47%2C0.065%2C0.376%2C0.162%2C0&st=pdf
1913 – St. Brigid’s Day
The feast of Saint Brigid of Ireland falls on the 1st day of February which is the first day of Spring.
Source in column 1: https://www.loc.gov/resource/sn90053031/1913-01-25/ed-1/?sp=7&q=St+Brigid&r=-0.017%2C0.041%2C0.41%2C0.176%2C0&st=pdf
1922 – St. Brigid’s Night
The evening before St. Brigid’s day the woman and girls made Brigid crosses and dolls. Then the girls carried the dolls to every house in the village and recited a poem.
Source is in column 1: https://www.loc.gov/resource/sn93056013/1922-02-24/ed-1/?sp=3&q=St+Brigid+cross&r=0.017%2C0.041%2C0.427%2C0.184%2C0&st=pdf
1929 – St. Patrick and St. Brigid
According to the Irish calendar, the second day of February is the first day of spring and it is also the feast day of St. Brigid.
Source in starts in column 1 regarding St. Patrick: https://www.loc.gov/resource/sn92067170/1929-03-28/ed-1/?sp=6&q=St+Brigid&r=0.097%2C1.079%2C0.414%2C0.178%2C0&st=pdf
Festival of Bears
From antiquity to the Middle Ages, the Celts celebrated the end of hibernation of the bears at the beginning of February. This was around the time when the bears would leave their dens and see if the weather was mild. This festival was characterized by bear costumes or disguises. For a long time, the Catholic Church sought to stop these practices. It is thought that the Catholic Church instituted the Feast of Purification of the Virgin Mary called Candlemas on February 2nd so that the Celts would stop celebrating the Bear festival. The celebrations of the bear and the return of light continued, with bonfires and other torchlight processions. The Celts were also celebrating the end of the Great Bear constellation’s hibernation.
1902 – The Tradition about the Bear seeing his Shadow
If the bear saw its shadow, six more weeks of solid winter. Six weeks is 42 days.
Source bottom of 1st column: https://www.loc.gov/resource/sn98066406/1902-02-07/ed-1/?sp=8&q=February+Bear%27s+Day&r=0.055%2C0.46%2C0.413%2C0.178%2C0&st=pdf
1908 – Candlemas and the Bear
On Candlemas the bear, badger or woodchuck comes out to see his shadow at noon.
Source in column 5: https://www.loc.gov/resource/sn89066313/1908-10-30/ed-1/?sp=2&q=February+Bear%27s+Day&r=0.592%2C0.156%2C0.432%2C0.186%2C0&st=pdf
1911 – Bear Day
Source in 1st column: https://www.loc.gov/resource/sn85058179/1911-02-04/ed-1/?sp=4&q=February+Bear%27s+Day&r=-0.022%2C1.354%2C0.493%2C0.212%2C0&st=pdf
1931 Ground Hog Day and Other Animals; Badger, Marmot, & Bear
Among the Scandinavian nations the bear predicts the weather instead of the ground hog.
Source in column 2: https://www.loc.gov/resource/sn94050047/1931-02-07/ed-1/?sp=2&q=February+Bear%27s+Day&r=-0.038%2C0.883%2C0.821%2C0.353%2C0&st=pdf
Candlemas
Today many places celebrate Candlemas, as the festival of the Purification of the Virgin Mary. This is based on the verse below in Leviticus and the verses in Luke 2:22-40. This was instituted by Pope Gelasius in 492 A.D. The tradition of Candlemas was ongoing long before Pope Gelasisus instituted this for the Virgin Mary. Since Jesus was born in the fall though, the festival of the Purification of the Virgin Mary should be held in October.
“The LORD spoke to Moses, saying, “Speak to the people of Israel, saying, If a woman conceives and bears a male child, then she shall be unclean seven days. As at the time of her menstruation, she shall be unclean. And on the eighth day the flesh of his foreskin shall be circumcised. Then she shall continue for thirty-three days in the blood of her purifying. She shall not touch anything holy, nor come into the sanctuary, until the days of her purifying are completed.” ESV Lev 12:1-4
1899 – Ground Hog Day and History of Candlemas
The celebration of Candlemas is observed in the Anglican, Roman, Greek, and Lutheran Churches. Candles are distributed and there is a procession of lighted ones. The festival was first celebrated in 542, during the reign of Justinan, whereas the first procession of lighted candles did not occur until the seventh century.
1915 – Ground Hog Day and Candlemas
Candlemas Day in England is when all legal business was suspended. In the church of Rome, it is known as the festival of the Purification of the Virgin. It was their custom to bless candles and distribute them among the people.
Source in column 4: https://www.loc.gov/resource/sn83025182/1915-02-02/ed-1/?sp=3&q=candlemas+england&r=0.509%2C0.151%2C0.362%2C0.156%2C0&st=pdf
Ground Hog Day
The dove was hidden in the ark until Noah released in and it brought back an olive leaf. Just as the bear and the ground hog hid during hibernation at this time of year.
1908 - Ground Hog Day & Candlemas
The tradition of Ground Hog Day on the same day as Candlemas.
Source in Column 2: https://www.loc.gov/resource/sn83045462/1908-02-02/ed-1/?sp=24&q=Ground+hog+day&st=pdf&r=0.01,0.463,0.409,0.409,0
1912 – Ground Hog Day and Candlemas
Ground Hog Day is the same day as Candlemas Day. Candlemas was instituted by Pope Gelasius in 492 A.D.
Source in column 2: https://www.loc.gov/resource/sn84026749/1912-02-01/ed-1/?sp=2&q=Ground+hog+day&r=0.123%2C0.234%2C0.38%2C0.163%2C0&st=pdf
1912 – Ground Hog Day and Candlemas Day
The Ground Hog Day custom was started in Germany. Candlemas Day is observed in England.
Source in column 3: https://www.loc.gov/resource/sn83045462/1912-02-02/ed-1/?sp=2&q=Ground+hog+day&r=0.031%2C1.027%2C0.366%2C0.157%2C0&st=pdf
1921 – Ground Hog Day
Ground hogs are in Pennsylvania and the Pennsylvania Dutch are usually politicians and weather prophets.
Source in last column: https://www.loc.gov/resource/sn86075250/1921-01-28/ed-1/?sp=5&q=February+Bear%27s+Day&r=0.697%2C0.461%2C0.396%2C0.17%2C0&st=pdf
Conclusion
The Quarter Days and Cross Quarter Days are ancient traditions that were religious and had to do with the agriculture season changes. It is interesting that the old cross quarter traditions reflect that some sources stated that our seasons were started on cross quarter days instead of Quarter Days. All of these celebrations are okay to observe today as long as they do not violate the laws of Moses; which I think an animal predicting the weather violates the laws below. The original festival dates celebrated the seasons our Father in Heaven created for us to enjoy and our ancestors would decorate accordingly for the celebration. These traditions connect us with the past, all the way to Noah’s ark.
“When you come into the land that the LORD your God is giving you, you shall not learn to follow the abominable practices of those nations. There shall not be found among you anyone who burns his son or his daughter as an offering, anyone who practices divination or tells fortunes or interprets omens, or a sorcerer or a charmer or a medium or a necromancer or one who inquires of the dead, for whoever does these things is an abomination to the LORD. And because of these abominations the LORD your God is driving them out before you. You shall be blameless before the LORD your God, for these nations, which you are about to dispossess, listen to fortune-tellers and to diviners. But as for you, the LORD your God has not allowed you to do this.” ESV Deu 18:9-14
“You shall not eat any flesh with the blood in it. You shall not interpret omens or tell fortunes.” ESV Lev 19:26
Sources & More Information:
Cross-quarter day, Halloween Explained https://kingdomhereamerica.blogspot.com/2020/10/quarter-cross-quarter-days-all-hallows.html
Celebrating Imbolc: A Time for Healing https://earthsanctuaries.net/celebrating-imbolc-a-time-for-healing/
Imbolc https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Imbolc
The Great Bear Constellation https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna15449369#.WuEqXHrwbIU
Bear Day https://www.robertfmoss.com/features/Happy-Bear-Day
Bear coming out of hibernation https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Bear_hibernation#/media/File:A_bear_coming_out_of_his_den,_Russia-LCCN2001697542.jpg
French Pancake Day/Candlemas https://alpinefrenchschool.com/blog/french-traditions-chandeleur/
St. Brigid Staine Glass window https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Cong_St._Mary_of_the_Rosary_Window_St._Brigid_Detail_St._Brigid_holding_her_Lamp_2019_09_04.jpg
Brigid was a goddess of the Tuatha Dé Danann. https://mythicalireland.com/blogs/myths-legends/bridget-bright-goddess-of-the-gael
St Brigid Doll https://colorful-crafts.com/2016/01/15/how-to-make-a-brigid-doll-straw-doll/
French crepes/pancakes https://loumessugo.com/pancake-day-la-chandeleur-another-french-feast/
Alaska Marmot Day - Wikipedia
Romanian https://www.transylvania-tours.ro/blog/the-bear-in-the-romanian-mithology
Candlemas and the bear https://jerseycatholic.org/feast-of-the-presentation-of-the-lord-candlemas-brings-light-on-dark-winter-days-1
Candlemas https://www.wealddown.co.uk/museum-news/candlemas/
Candlemas https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Candlemas
Painting of Mary https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Toulouse_-_Daurade_-_Peintures_du_choeur_(7).jpg
Stop the Bear Festival https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Persecution_of_pagans_in_the_late_Roman_Empire
Cross quarter days mark the beginning of the season https://earthsky.org/astronomy-essentials/halloween-derived-from-ancient-celtic-cross-quarter-day#:~:text=In%20modern%20times%2C%20the%20four,quarter%20day%20of%20the%20year
England, Ireland & Scotland quarter & cross quarter days https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quarter_days
Egyptian, Celtic, Aztec and Mayan 364-day Calendar use comparison response: https://poe.com/s/mgKZGNx3TzLasKHr1WDN
Which other cultures used a 364-day Calendar? It answered the Israelites, Essences, and some early Christian secs such as Quartodecimans. https://poe.com/s/PeMsCFL1PoGHCmTGMj1a
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