25 Ways to Predict the Future

To celebrate Groundhog Day, we’re looking at a bunch of modern superstitions and tools and techniques used for making predictions.

What is Groundhog Day? It’s a North American weather prediction based on a groundhog’s ability to see its shadow when it pops out of a burrow on February 2. If the rodent doesn’t see its shadow due to cloudy skies, it’s said winter will soon be over. If it’s sunny and he does see his shadow, the superstition says he’ll hibernate for another six weeks until winter weather subsides. In old English, wearing old-fashioned costumes including top hats, the prediction is read aloud.

So what are the predictions for Groundhog Day 2009? From this year’s announcement by Punxsutawney Phil, the most famous of groundhogs, there will be 6 more weeks of winter.

This cluster includes a range of modern methods of prediction, from high-tech umbrellas that predict when it will rain, to the more paranormal methods like virtual tarot cards. It also includes peculiar innovations like the period-predicting toilet to Obama’s palm-readings.