Here Ye! Here Ye! Here Ye!

This year on Gobbler’s Knob, Punxsutawney Phil, Seer of all Seers, Prognosticator of all Prognosticators rose to the call to predict King Winter’s presence for another six weeks. That was on February 2nd. This means that the Witches of Chatter Creek still have five weeks to figure out a way to keep the Duchess of Spring from taking the reigns from the King.

Every year the bewitchment is the same. And, every year, sooner or later, winter resigns himself to slither out the backdoor and reluctantly hand the reigns over into the gentle hands of spring. But this outcome does not deter the witches.

 It never does.

Ever so vigilant, every year the ritual is the same: the Seer makes his prediction; the witches join hands with the King; and sotto voce, they begin to chant, hopeful for a different ending.

This year, King Winter’s dialect is so deep and rich that his censure toward the Duchess is setting havoc adrift on the wings of the wind. His words carry a shiver as he howls through the desolate sound. This year, the King is not standing down so easily, and vows not to allow one naked foot to set down unflinching. After all, did not the Seer cooperate by giving him more time?

King Winter deludes himself. Soon, he will tire, the wind will weary, the cold rain and snow will cease, and the sun will rise-up to meet the great and pallid mist in preparation for the waltz that is destined to be.

In a few weeks, the Duchess of Spring will make her grand entrance, no matter how many incantations. “You fought a good fight, as usual” she will hum. “ but now it is my time.” With that said, the King will grudgingly hand over the reigns, as he does every year, and he will back away in an unwilling bow despite his best efforts, even with the help of the good witches from Chatter Creek.

Arthur Rackham 1867-1939
The Witches' Meeting

(this is one of Arthur Rackham's

best-known and most-recognized works)

.