PART I. (continued 2)
Reading edition
Eels.
If eels are very lively it is a sign of rain.
Equinox.
In equinoctial storms fish bite the best before the sun crosses the line.
Fish—Flies.
When fish jump up after flies expect rain.
Frog-fish.
Frog-fish crawling indicate rain.
Lake Trout.
In the northern lakes of the United States white-fish and lake trout leave reefs for deep water one month earlier in stormy falls than in mild, calm falls, with little winds. (Chippewa Indians.)
Lobsters and Craw-fish.
When lobsters or craw-fish heighten their holes about the surface of the ground, it is a sign of approaching rain.
Moon.
Fish bite the best when the moon is in the tail.
Mullet.
Mullet run south on the approach of cold northerly wind and rain.
North Wind.
Fishermen in anger froth
When the wind is in the north;
For fish bite the best
When the wind is in the west.
Pike.
When pike lie on the bed of a stream quietly, expect rain or wind.
Porpoises.
Porpoises, when they sport about ships and chase one another as if in play, and indeed their being numerous on the surface of the sea at any time, is rather a stormy sign. The same may be said of dolphins and grampus. That the cause of these motions is some electrical change in the air seems probable. Wilsford, in his Secrets of Nature, tells us “Porpoises or sea-hogs when observed to sport and chase one another about ships, expect then some stormy weather.”
51Porpoises are said to swim in the direction from which the wind is coming.
Porpoises run into bays and around islands before a storm.
Salmon and Trout.
Salmon and trout plentiful in river (Columbia) show an abundance of rain in the surrounding country by which the river has risen.
Sea-urchins.
Sea-urchins thrusting themselves into the mud, or striving to cover their bodies with sand, foreshow a storm.
Shad.
Shad run south when the weather changes cold.
Shark.
Shark go to sea at the approach of a cold wave.
Skate.
Skate jump in the direction that the next wind will come from.
South Wind.
Wind in the south catch fish in the mouth.
Trout.
Trout bite voraciously before rain.
When trout refuse bait or fly,
There ever is a storm nigh.
Trout and Salmon.
When the trout or salmon-trout jump late in the fall, the Indians of Washington Territory predict an open winter and an open spring.
Trout and Herring.
Trout jump and herring schools more rapidly before rain.
Whales and Porpoises.
When porpoises and whales spout about ships at sea, storm may be expected.
Winds.
The appearance of a great number of fish on the west Gulf coast indicates bad weather and easterly winds.
PROVERBS RELATING TO FOG OR MIST.
August.
The number of August fogs indicate the number of winter mists.
In the Mississippi Valley, when fogs occur in August, expect fever and ague in the following fall.
A fog in August indicates a severe winter and plenty of snow.
Observe on what day in August the first heavy fog occurs, and you may expect a hard frost on the same day in October.
52April Fog.
Fog in April foretells a failure of the wheat crop next year. (Alabama.)
If the first three days of April be foggy, there will be a flood in June. (English.)
Continued Fog.
If there be continued fog, expect frost.
Dew.
When the dew is seen shining on the leaves, the mist rolled down from the mountain last night. (Zuñi Indians.)
Damp Fog.
If there be a damp fog or mist, accompanied by wind, expect rain.
Fog Clouds.
When light fog clouds on evenings are observed to rise from the valleys and hang around the summits of mountains, rain follows.
February Fog.
A fog in February indicates a frost in the following May.
Fog Frost.
He that would have a bad day must go out in the fog after a frost.
Frost.
During frosty weather, the dissolution of mist, and the appearance of small detached cerro-cumulus clouds in the elevated regions of the atmosphere are said to foretell that the termination of frost is at hand.
Fog and Rain.
When the fog goes up the hill the rain comes down the mill.
Fog after Frost.
Fog after hard frosts and fog after mild weather indicate a change in weather.
Falling Fog.
When the fog falls fair weather follows; when it rises rain follows.
Heavy Fog.
Heavy fog in winter, when it hangs below trees, is followed by rain.
Hunting and Fishing.
When the fog goes up the mountains you may go hunting; when it comes down the mountain you may go fishing. In the former case it will be fair; in the latter it will rain.
Light Fog.
Light fog passing under sun from south to north in the morning indicates rain in twenty-four or forty-eight hours.
March, May, and August.
So many mists in March we see,
So many frosts in May shall be;
So many fogs in August we see,
So many snows that year will be.
Mirage.
A mirage is followed by a rain. (New England.)
53Mist—Sea.
When the mist takes to the sea
Then good weather it will be.
(English.)
Misty Mornings.
Three foggy or misty mornings indicate rain. (Oregon.)
Morning Fogs.
When a morning fog turns into clouds of different layers, the clouds increasing in size, expect a rain.
Mountain Mist.
When mountains extend north and south, if fog or mist comes from the west, expect fair weather. If mist comes from the top of mountains, expect rain in summer, snow in winter. (Apache Indians.)
October Fog.
For every fog in October there will be a snow during the winter; for each heavy fog a heavy snow, and for each light fog a light snow.
Rising Fog.
A rising fog indicates fair weather. If the fog settles down, expect stormy weather.
Seaward and Landward.
Fog from seaward, fair weather; fog from landward, rain. (New England.)
Summer Fog.
A summer fog is a good indication of fair weather.
Southerly Wind.
In summer, when fog comes with a southerly wind it indicates warm weather; when it comes with a northerly wind it is a sign of heavy rain.
Weather.
When the mist is on the hill,
Then good weather it doth spoil.
Winter Fog.
A winter’s fog will freeze a dog.
PROVERBS RELATING TO FROST.
Bearded—Frost.
Bearded frost is a forerunner of snow.
Birds of Passage.
If birds of passage arrive early from the north, expect frost.
Corn Frost.
With the coming of frost grows the corn old. (Zuñi Indians.)
Dark-moon Frost.
Frost occurring in the dark of the moon kills fruit, buds, and blossoms; but frost in the light of the moon will not.
54Early Frosts.
Early frosts are generally followed by a long and hard winter. Light or white frosts are always followed by wet weather, either the same day or three days after.
Easter Frost.
Past the Easter frost and fruit is safe.
Fences, Trees.
In winter if the fences and trees are covered with white frost, expect a thaw.
Frosty Trees.
If the trees are frosty and the sun takes it away before noon, sign of rain.
First Katydid.
The first frost of the season occurs six weeks after we hear the first katydid.
Frosts.
Heavy white frost indicates warmer weather.
Black frost indicates dry cold weather.
Bearded frost indicates colder weather and snow.
Frost, Rain.
Hoar frost indicates rain.
Foul Weather.
Frosts end in foul weather.
First Frost.
If the first frost occurs late, the following winter will be mild, but weather variable. If first frost occurs early, it indicates a severe winter.
Gray Sky.
If there be a dark, gray sky, with a south wind, expect frost.
Heavy Frosts.
Heavy frosts are generally followed by fine, clear weather.
Hoar Frost.
If there be an abundance of hoar frost, expect rain.
Ice.
If the ice crack much, expect frost to continue.
June Frosts.
There will be as many frosts in June as there are fogs in February.
Moonlight.
Moonlight nights have the hardest frosts.
Mist.
When the mist is on the hill,
Then good weather it doth spoil;
When the mist takes to the sea,
Then good weather it will be.
(England.)
55Rain, Frosts.
Heavy frosts bring heavy rains; no frosts, no rain. (California.)
Six Months.
Six months from last frost to next frost. (South.)
Spider Webs.
Spider webs floating at autumn sunset,
Bring a night frost, this you may bet.
Three Frosts
Three frosts in succession are a sign of rain.
Three white frosts and then a storm.
White Frost.
A very heavy white frost in winter is followed by a thaw.
White frost on three successive nights indicates a thaw or rain.
Water Snakes.
When small water snakes leave the sand in low damp lands, frosts may be expected in three days. (Apache Indians.)
Wind, Northwest.
Frost will probably occur when the temperature is 40° and the wind northwest.
A high wind prevents frost.
PROVERBS RELATING TO INSECTS.
Ants.
If ants their walls do frequent build,
Rain will from the clouds be spilled.
When ants are situated in low ground, their migration may be taken as an indication of approaching heavy rains.
Expect stormy weather when ants travel in lines, and fair weather when they scatter.
If in the beginning of July the ants are enlarging and building up their piles, an early and cold winter is at hand.
An open ant-hole indicates clear weather; a closed one an approaching storm.
Ants, Crickets, Gnats, etc.
Ants are very busy; gnats bite; crickets are lively; spiders come out of their nests, and flies gather in houses just before rain.
Butterflies.
The early appearance of butterflies is said to indicate fine weather.
When the white butterfly flies from the southwest, expect rain.
When the butterfly comes, comes also the summer. (Zuñi Indians.)
Bees.
When bees remain in their hives or fly but a short distance, expect rain.
56Bees early at work will not perform a full day’s work.
Bees will not swarm before a near storm.
Bees returning hastily and in large numbers are said to indicate approaching rain, although the weather may be clear.
When bees to distance wing their flight
Days are warm and skies are bright;
But when their flight ends near their home
Stormy weather is sure to come.
A bee was never caught in a shower.
If bees remain in the hive or fly but a short distance from it, expect rain.
Black Insects.
When little black insects appear on the snow, expect a thaw.
Cockroaches.
When cockroaches fly it is a sign of approaching rain.
Crickets.
If the cricket sing louder than usual, expect rain.
Chrysalides.
When the chrysalides are found suspended from the under side of rails, limbs, &c., as if to protect them from rain, expect much rain. If they are found on slender branches, fair weather will last some time. (Western Pennsylvania.)
Fleas.
When fleas do very many grow,
Then ’twill surely rain or snow.
When eager bites the thirsty flea,
Clouds and rain you sure shall see.
Flies.
A fly on your nose you slap and it goes,
If it comes back again it will bring a good rain.
When flies congregate in swarms, rain follows soon.
When flies bite greedily, expect rain.
Fall-bugs.
Fall-bugs begin to chirp six weeks before a frost in the fall.
Fire-flies.
Fire flies in great numbers indicate fair weather.
Garden Spiders.
If the garden spiders break and destroy their webs and creep away, expect continued rain.
Glow-worms.
Before rain:
Glow-worms numerous, clear, and bright,
Illuminate the dewy hills at night.
When the glow-worm glows, dry hot weather follows.
57Gossamer.
Gossamer (the fine web of a certain species of spider) is said when abundant in the air to afford a sign of a fine autumn.
Gnats.
Gnats flying in a vortex in the beams of the sun, fair weather will follow; when they frisk about more wildly increasing heat is indicated; when they seek the shade and bite more frequently, the signs are of coming rain.
Gnats in October are a sign of long, fair weather.
Many gnats in spring indicate that the autumn will be warm.
If gnats fly in large numbers, the weather will be fine.
If gnats, flies, &c., bite sharper than usual, expect rain.
When gnats dance in February the husbandman becomes a beggar.
If gnats fly in compact bodies in the beams of the setting sun, expect fine weather.
If many gnats are seen in the spring, expect a warm autumn.
When gnats dance in March it brings death to sheep. (Dutch.)
Hornets.
Hornets build nests high before warm summers.
When hornets build their nests near the ground, expect a cold and early winter.
House Flies.
House flies coming into the house in great numbers indicate rain.
Harvest Flies.
When harvest flies sing, warm weather will follow.
Insects.
The early appearance of insects indicate an early spring and good crops. (Apache Indians.)
Insects flying in numbers just at evening show change of weather to rain.
Katydids.
Katydids cry three months before frosts. (South.)
Locusts.
When locusts are heard, dry weather will follow, and frost will occur in six weeks.
Spider Webs.
When spiders’ webs in air do fly
The spell will soon be very dry.
Spider webs scattered thickly over a field covered with dew glistening in the morning sun indicate rain.
When spiders work at their webs in the morning expect a fair day.
Spiders strengthening their webs indicate rain.
58Long single, separate spider webs on grass is a sign of frost next night. (Irish.)
Spiders in motion indicate rain.
If spiders break off and remove their webs, the weather will be wet.
If spiders make new webs and ants build new hills, the weather will be clear.
If the spider works during rain, it is an indication that the weather will soon be clear.
When the spider cleans its web fair weather is indicated.
If spider webs fly in the autumn with a south wind, expect east winds and fine weather.
Spiders generally change their webs once every twenty-four hours. If they make the change between 6 and 7 p. m., expect a fair night. If they change their web in the morning, a fine day may be expected. If they work during rain, expect fine weather soon, and the more active and busy the spider the finer will be the weather.
Spiders, when they are seen crawling on the walls more than usual indicate that rain will probably ensue. This prognostic seldom fails. This has been observed for many years, particularly in winter, but more or less at all times of the year.
If spiders in spinning their webs make the terminating filaments long, we may in proportion to their lengths expect rain.
When you see the ground covered with spider webs which are wet with dew, and there is no dew on the ground, it is a sign of rain before night, for the spiders are putting up umbrellas; but others say when the spiders put out their sunshades it will be a hot day.
Scorpions.
When scorpions crawl expect dry weather.
Tarantulas.
When tarantulas crawl by day, rain will surely come. (California.)
Wasps.
Wasps building nests in exposed places indicate a dry season.
Wasps in great numbers and busy indicate fair and warm weather.
Wood-lice.
If wood-lice run about in great numbers, expect rain.
Worms, Snails, etc.
Worms come forth more abundantly before rain, as do snails, slugs, and almost all our limaceous reptiles.
Yellow Jackets.
Yellow jackets building nests on top of ground indicates an approaching dry season.
59
PROVERBS RELATING TO THE MOON.
April Full Moon.
Full moon in April brings frost.
A Saturday’s Moon.
If it comes once in seven years, comes all too soon.
Bean.
Go plant the bean when the moon is light,
And you will find that this is right;
Plant the potatoes when the moon is dark,
And to this line you always hark;
But if you vary from this rule,
You will find you are a fool;
If you always follow this rule to the end
You will always have money to spend.
Beans.
Plant garden beans when the sign is in the scales they will hang full.
Cloudy Morning.
In the old of the moon a cloudy morning bodes a fair afternoon.
Cool Weather.
When the moon runs high expect cool or cold weather.
New moon far in north in summer, cool weather; in winter, cold.
Change.
If the moon changes (full or new) in fair or warm part of the day, it indicates a warm moon, and if it changes in the cool part of the day, it indicates that the weather will be cool during the moon.
If the moon is rainy throughout, it will be clear at the change, and perhaps the rain will return a few days after.
If there be a change of weather at the time of the quarters (under the same conditions as above), the new condition will probably last some time.
Drought—Flood.
The further the moon is to the south the greater the drought; the further west the greater the flood, and the further northwest the greater the cold.
Dry Weather.
When the horns of the moon are sharp it indicates dry weather.
New moon far in the south indicates dry weather for a month.
Dry Moon.
A dry moon is far north and soon seen.
Day Moon.
When the moon is visible in the day-time, the days are relatively cool.
East Wind.
If the moon changes with the wind in the east, the weather during that moon will be foul.
60Fifth Day of Moon.
The fifth day of the new moon indicates the general character of the weather until the full of the moon.
Full Moon.
In Western Kansas it is said that when the moon is near full it never storms.
The full moon eats clouds. (Nautical.)
Fair Moon.
If the moon be fair throughout and rain at the close, the fair weather will probably return on the fourth or fifth day.
Fair Weather.
Phases of the moon occurring in the evening, expect fair weather.
Five Changes.
Five changes of the moon in one month denotes cool weather in summer and cold in winter.
Flood.
Two full moons in a calendar month bring on a flood.
Fine Weather.
If the full moon rises clear, expect fine weather.
Gale Moon.
If the moon is seen between the scud and broken clouds during a gale, it is expected to scuff away the bad weather.
Halo.
The larger the halo about the moon the nearer the rain clouds and the sooner the rain may be expected.
A lunar halo indicates rain, and the number of stars inclosed, the number of days of rain.
The moon with a circle brings water in her beak.
Horns of Moon.
When Luna first her scattered fear recalls,
If with blunt horns she holds the dusky air,
Seamen and swain predict abundant showers.
(Virgil.)
Moon-shield.
If the moon show a silver shield,
Be not afraid to reap your field;
But if she rises halved round,
Soon will tread on deluged ground.
Moon-ring.
Last night the moon had a golden ring,
But to-night no moon I see.
61Moon, Wind clouds, etc.
When first the moon appears if then she shrouds
Her silver crescent, tipped with sable clouds,
Conclude she bodes a tempest on the main,
And brews for fields impetuous floods of rain.
Or if her face with fiery flushings glow,
Expect the rattling wind aloft to blow;
But four nights old (for that is the best sign),
With sharpened horns, if glorious then she shine,
Next day not only that, but all the moon,
Till her revolving race be wholly run,
Are void of tempests both by land and sea.
Moon Halo.
A large ring around the moon and low clouds indicate rain in twenty-four hours; a small ring and high clouds rain in several days.
Moon, Points of.
If the new moon appears with the points of the crescent turned up, the month will be dry. If the points are turned down, it will be wet.
Note.—About one-third of the sailors believe in the direct opposite of the above. The belief is explained as follows: 1st. If the crescent will hold water, the month will be dry; if not, it will be wet. 2d. If the Indian hunter could hang his powder-horn on the crescent, he did so and staid at home, because he knew that the woods would be too dry to still hunt. If he could not hang his powder-horn upon the crescent he put it on his shoulder and went hunting, because he knew that the woods would be wet and that he could stalk game noiselessly.
Mist.
If there be a general mist before sunrise near the full of the moon, the weather will be fine for some days.
New Moon.
New moon on its back indicates wind; standing on its point indicates rain in summer and snow in winter. (Dr. John Menual.)
North Wind.
A new moon with a north wind will hold until the full.
North and South Moon.
If the new moon is far north, it will be cold for two weeks, but if far south, it will be warm.
October Moon.
Full moon in October without frost, no frost till full moon in November.
Old Moon.
In the old of the moon
A cloudy morning means a fair afternoon.
The old moon seen in the new moon’s arms is a sign of fair weather.
62If the new moon, first quarter, full moon, last quarter occur between
Summer: 12 and 2 a. m. Fair.
2 and 4 a. m. Cold and showers.
4 and 6 a. m. Rain.
6 and 8 a. m. Wind and rain.
8 and 10 a. m. Changeable.
10 and 12 p. m. Frequent showers.
12 and 2 p. m. Very rainy.
2 and 4 p. m. Changeable.
4 and 6 p. m. Fair.
6 and 8 p. m. Fair, if wind northwest.
8 and 10 p. m. Rainy, if wind south or southwest.
10 and 12 a. m. Fair.
Winter: 12 and 2 a. m. Frost, unless wind southwest.
2 and 4 a. m. Snow and stormy.
4 and 6 a. m. Rain.
6 and 8 a. m. Stormy.
8 and 10 a. m. Cold rain, if wind west.
10 and 12 p. m. Cold and high wind.
12 and 2 p. m. Snow and rain.
2 and 4 p. m. Fair and mild.
4 and 6 p. m. Fair.
6 and 8 p. m. Fair and frosty, if wind northeast
or north.
8 and 10 p. m. Rain or snow, if wind south or
southwest.
10 and 12 a. m. Fair and frosty.
Points of Moon.
If the points of a new moon are up, then, as a rule, no rain will fall that quarter of the moon; a dull pale moon, dry, with halo, indicates poor crops. In the planting season no grain must be planted when halo is around the moon. (Apache Indians.)
Pale rise.
If the full moon rise pale, expect rain.
Rheumatic diseases.
Therefore the moon, the governor of the floods,
Pale in her anger, washes all the air
That rheumatic diseases do abound.
(Shakespeare.)
Red, Dim, or Pale Moon.
A dim or pale moon indicates rain, a red moon indicates wind.
The moon, her face if red be,
Of water speaks she.
(Zuñi Indians.)
If the full moon rises red, expect wind.
When the moon rises red and appears large, with clouds, expect rain in twelve hours.
63Rain.
When the moon is darkest near the horizon, expect rain.
When phases of the moon occur in the morning, expect rain.
If the moon turns on its back in the third quarter it is a sign of rain.
The moon, if in house be, cloud it will, rain soon will come. (Zuñi Indians.)
Ruddy.
If on her cheeks you see the maiden’s blush,
The ruddy moon foreshows the winds will rush.
South Moon.
A south moon indicates bad weather.
Snow.
As many days old as the moon is at the first snow there will be as many snows before crop-planting time.
Snow coming two or three days after new moon will remain on the ground some time, but that falling just after full moon will soon go off.
There will be as many snow storms during the winter as the moon is days old at the first snow-storm.
Stars in Halo.
Moon in a circle indicates storm, and number of stars in circle the number of days before storm.
Sixth Day of Moon.
If the weather on the sixth day is the same as that of the fourth day of the moon the same weather will continue during the whole moon. Said to be correct nine times out of twelve. (Spanish.)
Storm.
The rising or the setting of the sun or moon, especially the moon, will be followed by a decrease of a storm which is then prevailing.
Saturday Moon.
A Saturday moon, if it comes once in seven years, it comes too soon. A Friday’s moon, come when it will, comes too soon.
Saturday Change.
One Saturday change in the moon is enough, as it is always followed by a severe storm.
Stormy, Wet Weather.
If there be a change from continued stormy or wet to clear and dry weather at the time of a new or full moon, and so remains until the second day of the new or full moon, it will probably remain fine till the following quarter; and if it changes not then, or only for a short time, it usually lasts until the following new or full moon; and if it does not change then, or only for a very short time, it will probably remain fine and dry for four or five weeks.
Threatening Clouds.
Threatening clouds, without rain, in old moon indicate drought.
64Thursday.
Thursday before the moon changes rules the moon.
Way to Wane.
The three days of the change of the moon from the way to the wane we get no rain.
Warm Weather.
When the moon runs low, expect warm weather.
Warm and Cold Weather.
If the moon changes in the morning, it indicates warm weather; if in the evening, cold weather.
A change in the moon which occurs between sunrise and sunset will be followed by warm weather; when the change occurs between sunset and sunrise, it will be followed by cold weather.
PROVERBS RELATING TO PLANTS.
Ash Leaves.
When the ash leaves come out before the oak, expect a wet season.
African Marigold.
If this plant does not open its petals by 7 o’clock in the morning, it will rain or thunder that day. It also closes before a storm.
Aspen Leaf.
Trembling of the aspen leaf in calm weather indicates an approaching storm.
Berries.
When the bushes are full of berries, a hard winter is on the way.
When berries are plentiful in the hedge, on the May-bush, and blackthorn, a hard winter may be expected.
Berries in the hedges often forebode a hard winter, and severe weather frequently occurs in seasons when they are particularly plentiful on the May-bush and blackthorn. This rule is not, however, without its exception. But, at all events, peculiarities of the seasons have a wonderful influence on the quantities of berries, particularly those of holly. The peculiarities of the seasons and their influence on plants constitute a very curious subject of research; it comprehends the whole doctrine of special blights, whereby only certain tribes of plants are affected. Epidemics and epizoötics come under the same class, and are referable to specific conditions of the atmosphere.
Beech-nuts.
When beech-nuts are plenty, expect a mild winter.
Beans.
Be it weal or be it woe,
Beans must blow ere May doth go.
Convolvulus.
The convolvulus folds up its petals at the approach of rain.
65Cherries.
As long as the cherries bloom in April it is said that the grape-vine will be in bloom.
Chickweed.
The flowers of the chickweed contract before rain.
The chickweed, at 9 o’clock in the morning, if the weather is clear, straightens its flowers, spreads its leaves, and keeps awake until noon. If, however, there is rain in prospect, the plant droops and its flowers do not open.
Corn-husk.
A double husk on corn indicates a severe winter.
Ears of corn are covered with thicker and stronger husks in cold winters.
If corn is hard to husk, expect a hard winter. (Apache Indians).
Cockle-burs.
When cockle-burs mature brown it indicates frost.
Clover Leaves.
Clover leaves turned up so as to show light underside indicate approaching rain.
Clovers contract at the close of a storm.
Cottonwood—Quaking Asp.
Cottonwood and quaking asp trees turn up their leaves before rain.
Corn-fodder.
Corn-fodder dry and crisp indicates fair weather; but damp and limp, rain—very sensitive to hygrometric changes.
Dandelions.
The dandelions close their blossoms before a storm; the sensitive plant its leaves. The leaves of the May trees bear up so that the under side may be seen before a storm.
Dandelion and Daisy.
The flowers of the dandelion and daisy close before rain.
Dogwood Blossoms.
When the blooms of the dogwood tree are full, expect a cold winter. When blooms of same are light, expect a warm winter.
Frost will not occur after the dogwood blossoms.
Dead Nettles.
Dead nettles blow early and all the year; the red or purple kind are scarce all winter. They afford a sign of a mild season when they come in winter in abundance.
Early Blossoms.
Early blossoms indicate a bad fruit year.
Flowers.
When the perfume of flowers is unusually perceptible, rain may be expected.
66Fox-fire.
Fox-fire seen at night indicates cold.
Frost—Cockle.
Frost has never been known to catch the cockle or blackberry in bloom.
Fennel.
When fennel blooms, frost follows.
Fall Apples.
If the fall apples are one-sided, with thick, rough skins, a severe winter may be expected.
Grasses.
Grasses of all kinds are loaded with seeds before a severe winter.
Goat’s-beard.
When goat’s-beard closes its petals at midday, expect rain.
Hay.
Better it is to rise betimes
And make hay while the sun shines,
Than to believe in tales and lies
Which idle monks and friars devise.
(Robins’s Almanac.)
Hog-thistle.
If the hog-thistle closes for the night, expect fair weather; if it remains open, expect rain.
Jonquils.
Jonquils, of which there are several sorts, blow in the open ground in March and April. The great jonquil and the odorous jonquil blow about the middle of March, the lesser or proper jonquil somewhat later. When they blow well and early they forebode a fine season.
Leaves.
If in the fall of the leaves in October many of them wither and hang on the boughs, it betokens a frosty winter and much snow.
If the leaves are slow to fall, expect a cold winter.
If the falling leaves remain under the trees and are not blown away by the wind, expect a fruitful year to follow.
When leaves of trees are thick, expect a cold winter.
Late Blossoms.
Late blossoms indicate a good fruit year.
Marigold.
The marigold opens between 6 and 7 in the morning and generally keeps awake until 4 in the afternoon. In such cases the weather will be steady. If, on the other hand, it does not open by 7 o’clock in the morning, you may expect rain that day.
Milk-weed.
Milk-weed closing at night indicates rain.
67Mountain Moss.
When the mountain moss is soft and limpid, expect rain.
When mountain moss is dry and brittle, expect clear weather.
March Flowers.
“March flowers make no summer bowers,” because if the spring is very mild, vegetation becomes too far advanced and is liable to injury from frost.
Mushrooms.
When mushrooms spring up during the night, expect rain.
Mushrooms and toad-stools are numerous before rain.
Nuts.
Nuts with a thick covering denote a hard winter.
Onion-skins.
Onion-skins very thin,
Mild winter coming in;
Onion-skins thick and tough,
Coming winter cold and rough.
Pitcher-plant.
The pitcher-plant opens its mouth before rain.
Pimpernel.
When this plant is seen in the morning with its little red flowers widely extended, we may generally expect a fine day; on the contrary, when the petals are closed, rain will soon follow. This plant has been styled the poor man’s weather-glass.
Red Sandwort.
When the corona of red sandwort contracts, expect rain.
Sensitive Brier.
The sensitive brier closes up its leaves on the approach of rain.
Sycamore.
Sycamore tree peeling off white in the fall, indicates a cold winter.
Sunflower.
Sunflower raising its head indicates rain.
Scotch Pimpernel.
When the corona, the Scotch pimpernel, contracts, expect rain.
Speedwell.
When the corona of the speedwell, and stitchwort contracts, expect rain.
Sea-weed.
Sea-weed becomes damp and expands before wet weather.
Sea Grape.
In the West Indies and along the coast of Florida there grows a small fruit-bearing tree called the sea grape, which when its fruit is abundant and ripens early it is said by the Seminole Indians and natives of the Bahama Islands to be a sign that there will be a hurricane before the end of the season. The usual time of ripening of this fruit is during September, and the hurricane season extends from the first of August till the end of October.
68Silver Maple.
The silver maple shows the lining of its leaf before a storm.
Sea-weed.
A piece of kelp or sea-weed hung up will become damp previous to rain.
Tulips and dandelions close just before rain.
Trefoil.
If the trefoil contracts its leaves, expect heavy rains.
Tree Limbs.
When tree limbs break off during calm expect rain.
Tree Moss.
North side of trees covered with moss indicates cold weather.
Trees.
Trees grow dark before a storm.
Tree Leaves.
When the leaves of trees curl, with the wind from the south, it indicates rain.
Wild Indigo.
Just before rain or heavy dew the wild indigo closes or folds its leaves.
Wheat.
For wheat a peck of dust in
March is worth a king’s ransom;
Or wet and soddy, the land
Must go to oats and corn.
PROVERBS RELATING TO RAIN.
Clearness.
Unusual clearness in the atmosphere, objects being seen very distinctly, indicates rain.
Evening and Morning.
Evening red and morning gray
Are sure signs of a fine day.
Evening gray and morning red,
Put on your hat or you’ll wet your head.
Electricity.
Increasing atmospheric electricity oxidizes ammonia in the air and forms nitric acid, which affects milk, thus accounting for souring of milk by thunder.
Hours of Commencing.
If rain commences before daylight, it will hold up before 8 a. m.; if it begins about noon, it will continue through the afternoon; if it commences after 9 p. m., it will rain the next day; if it clears off 69in the night, it will rain the next day; if the wind is from the northwest or southwest, the storm will be short; if from the northeast, it will be a hard one; if from the northwest, a cold one, and from the southwest a warm one.
If rain ceases after 12 m., it will rain next day.
If rain ceases before 12 m., it will be clear next day.
Morning Rain.
If rain commences before day, it will stop before 8 a. m.; if it begins about noon, it will continue through the afternoon; if not till 5 p. m., it will rain through the night; if it clears off in the night, it will rain the next day.
If it rains before seven,
It will clear before eleven.
If rain begins at early morning light,
’Twill end ere day at noon is bright.
North Rain.
With the north rain leaves the harvest.
Northeast Rain.
With the rain of the northeast comes the ice fruit (hail). (Zuñi Indians.)
Rain from the northeast (in Germany region of dry winds) continues three days.
Notice.
Rain long foretold, long last;
Short notice, soon past.
October and November.
Plenty of rain in October and November on the North Pacific coast indicates a mild winter; little rain in these months will be followed by a severe winter.
Scalp-Locks.
When the locks of the Navajoes turn damp in the scalp-house, surely it will rain.
South Thunder.
Rain with south or southwest thunder, squalls occur late each successive day.
South Rain.
Rain from the south prevents the drought, but rain from the west is always best.
South winds bring rain. (California.)
The south rain brings with it the beautiful odors of the land of everlasting summer and brightens the leaves of growing things. (Zuñi Indians.)
Rain which sets in with a south wind on the north Pacific coast will probably last.
September Rain.
Rain in September is good for the farmer, but poison to the vine growers. (German.)
70Seven and Eleven.
If it rains before seven,
It will cease before eleven.
Sunrise.
If it rains before sunrise, expect a fair afternoon.
Sunshiny Rain.
If it rains when the sun shines, it will rain the next day.
Swallows and Crickets.
Rain is indicated when—
Low o’er the grass the swallows wing,
And crickets, too, how sharp they sing.
September.
Heavy September rains bring drought.
Squalls.
When rain-squalls break to the westward, it is a sign of foul weather.
When they break to leeward, it is a sign of fair weather. (Northeast coast.)
Tide.
Rain is likely to commence on the turn of the tide.
In threatening, it is more apt to rain at the turn of the tide, especially at high water.
Toad-stools.
If toad-stools spring up in the night in dry weather, they indicate rain.
West Rain.
When rain comes from the west it will not continue long.
The west rain comes from the world of waters to moisten the home of the She Wi. (Zuñi Indians.)
Wind and Rain.
Marry the rain to the wind and you have a calm.
Wind.
With the rain before the wind your topsail halyards you must mind.
PROVERBS RELATING TO RAINBOWS.
Clear.
The rainbow has but a bad character: she ever commands the rain to cease.
Color.
If the green be large and bright in the rainbow, it is a sign of rain. If red be the strongest color, there will be rain and wind together. After a long drought the rainbow is a sign of rain. After much wet weather it indicates fair weather. If it breaks up all at 71once, there will follow severe and settled weather. If the bow be in the morning, rain will follow; if at noon, slight and heavy rain; if at night, fair weather. The appearance of two or three rainbows indicates fair weather for the present, but settled and heavy rains in a few days.
Evening Rainbow.
If there is a rainbow at eve,
It will rain and leave.
East and West Rainbow.
Rainbow in the east indicates that the following day will be clear. A rainbow in the west is usually followed by more rain the same day.
Rainbow in the Sierras (i. e., in the east) in evening indicates no more rain. (California.)
Fair Weather.
The boding shepherd heaves a sigh,
For see, a rainbow spans the sky.
High Rainbow.
When rainbow does not touch water, clear weather will follow.
Indications by Colors.
The predominance of dark red in the iris shows tempestuous weather; green, rain; and if blue, that the air is clearing.
Low Rainbow.
A rainbow that comes near a camp-fire, or low down on the mountain side, is a bad sign for crops. If seen at a great distance, it indicates fair weather.
Morning and Evening Rainbow.
Rainbow in morning, shepherds take warning;
Rainbow at night, shepherds’ delight.
A morning rainbow indicates rain; an evening rainbow, fair weather.
A rainbow in the morn, put your hook in the corn;
A rainbow at eve, put your head in the sheave.
Night and Morning Rainbow.
Rainbow at night, sailors’ delight;
Rainbow in morning, sailors’ warning.
Spring Rainbow.
A rainbow in spring indicates fair weather for next twenty-four to forty-two hours.
Sudden Disappearance.
If a rainbow disappears suddenly, it indicates fair weather.
West and East Shower.
Rainbow in morning shows that shower is west of us, and that we will probably get it. Rainbow in the evening shows that shower is east of us and is passing off.
72
PROVERBS RELATING TO REPTILES.
Frogs.
Frogs singing in the evening indicate fair weather for next day.
Frogs croak more noisily, and come abroad in the evening in large numbers, before rain.
When frogs croak three times, it indicates that winter has broken.
As long as frogs are heard before Saint Marc’s day, that long will they keep quiet afterward.
Croaking frogs in spring will be three times frozen in.
When frogs warble, they herald rain. (Zuñi Indians.)
Frogs must be frozen up three times in spring after they begin to croak.
The louder the frogs, the more’s the rain.
The color of a frog changing from yellow to reddish indicates rain.
Tree-frogs piping during rain indicates continued rain.
Tree-frogs crawl up to the branches of trees before a change of weather.
Yellow Frogs.
Abundance of yellow frogs are accounted a good sign in a hayfield, probably as indicating fine weather.
Glow-worms.
Glow-worms numerous and bright, indicate rain.
Worms.
If, after some days of dry weather, fresh earth is seen which has been thrown up by worms, expect dry weather.
When worms creep out of the ground in great numbers, expect wet weather.
Snails.
Snails moving on bushes or grass, are signs of rain.
When black snails cross your path,
Black clouds much moisture hath.
Leech.
A leech placed in a jar of water will remain at the bottom until rain is approaching, when it will rise to the surface, and if thunder is to follow will frequently crawl out of the water.
Leeches kept in glass jars move about more frequently just before rain.
Lizards.
When lizards chirrup, it is a sure indication of rain.
Snakes.
Hanging a dead snake on a tree will bring rain in a few hours. (Negro.)
Note.—Snakes are out before rain, and are, therefore, more easily killed.
73In Oregon the approach of snakes indicates that a spell of fine weather will follow.
When snakes are hunting food rain may be expected; after a rain they cannot be found.
Hang up a snake skin and it will bring rain.
Snakes and snake-trails may be seen near houses, roads, &c., before rain.
Snakes expose themselves on the approach of rain.
PROVERBS RELATING TO STARS OR METEORS.
Comets.
Comets bring cold weather.
After an unusual fall of meteors, dry weather is expected. All comets evidence the approach of some calamity, such as drought, famine, war, floods, &c. (Apache Indians.)
Comets are said to improve the grape crop, and wine produced in years when comets appear is called comet wine. (French.)
Falling Stars.
If there be many falling stars during a clear evening in summer, expect thunder.
If there are no falling stars on a bright summer night, expect fine weather.
Fair Weather.
When the stars set still the times are to be pleasant. (Zuñi Indians.)
Flickering.
When the stars flicker in a dark background, rain or snow follows soon.
Huddling Stars.
When the stars begin to huddle,
The earth will soon become a puddle.
Many Stars.
When the sky is very full of stars, expect rain.
Many stars in winter indicate frost.
In summer, when many stars twinkle, clear weather is indicated.
Milky Way.
The edge of the Milky Way, which is the brightest, indicates the direction from which the approaching storm will come.
North Star.
When the stars above 45° in altitude or the North Star flickers strangely, or appears closer than usual, expect rain.
Numerous Stars.
When stars appear to be numerous, very large, and dull, and do not twinkle, expect rain.
74Snow.
Many meteors presage much snow next winter.
Shooting Stars.
If meteors shoot toward the north, expect a north wind next day.
Many shooting stars on summer nights indicate hot weather.
Tempest.
When a star tows the moon and another chases her astern, tempestuous weather will follow. The phenomenon is probably styled a big star chasing the moon. (Nautical.)
Twinkling.
Excessive twinkling of stars indicates very heavy dews, rain, and snow.
When the stars twinkle very brightly, expect stormy weather in the near future.
The Maltese say, “The stars twinkle; we cry ‘wind.’”
Wind and Rain.
If the stars appear large and clear, expect rain or wind.
Thaw.
If shooting stars fall in the south in winter, there will be a thaw.
PROVERBS RELATING TO SNOW.
Animation.
Snow is generally preceded by a general animation of man and beast which continues until after the snowfall ends.
Corn.
Corn is as comfortable under snow as an old man is under his fur cloak. (Russian.)
Christmas.
If it snows during Christmas night, the crops will do well.
So far as the sun shines on Christmas day,
So far will the snow blow in May. (German.)
Dry or Wet Snow.
When the snow falls dry it means to lie,
But flakes light and soft bring rain oft.
Ditch Snow.
When now in the ditch the snow doth lie,
’Tis waiting for more by and by.
Dry or Wet Snow.
If the snow that falls during the winter is dry and is blown about by the wind, a dry summer will follow; very damp snow indicates rain in the spring. (Apache Indians.)
First Snow.
There will be as many snow storms during the season as there are days remaining in the month after the time of the first snow.
75When the first snow remains on the ground some time, in places not exposed to the sun, expect a hard winter.
Last Snow.
The number of days the last snow remains on the ground indicates the number of snow storms which will occur during the following winter.
Heavy Snows.
Heavy snows in winter favor the crops of the following summer.
January Snow.
If there is no snow before January, there will be the more snow in March and April.
Leaves.
When dry leaves rattle on the trees, expect snow.
Light and Heavy Snow.
A heavy fall of snow indicates a good year for crops, and a light fall the reverse. (Dr. John Menaul.)
Mountain Snow.
If much snow be spread on the mountains in winter, the season of planting will be made blue with verdure. (Indian.)
March Snow.
In March much snow
To plants and trees much woe. (German.)
Mud.
When snow falls in the mud it remains all winter.
November.
A heavy November snow will last until April. (New England.)
If the snow remains on the trees in November, they will bring out but few buds in the spring. (German.)
Popping Wood.
Burning wood in winter pops more before snow.
Snow fertile.
Snow is the poor man’s fertilizer, and good crops will follow a winter of heavy snowfall.
Snow trees.
If the first snow sticks to the trees, it foretells a bountiful harvest.
Snowball.
Cut a snowball in halves: if it is wet inside, the snow will pass off with rain; if it is dry inside, the snow will be melted by the sun.
Snow-flakes.
If the snow-flakes increase in size, a thaw will follow.
Snow-moon.
If a snow-storm begins when the moon is young, the rising of the moon will clear away the snow.
Snow-health.
The more snow the more healthy the season. (John Ayers, Santa Fé.)
76Snow year.
A snow year, a rich year.
As many days as the snow remains on the trees, just so many days will it remain on the ground.
It takes three cloudy days to bring a heavy snow. (New England.)
White Christmas.
A white Christmas, a lean graveyard.
Sleet.
Much sleet in winter will be followed by a good fruit year.
PROVERBS RELATING TO THE SUN.
Aurora.
Aurora borealis denotes cold.
If Aurora with half-open eyes
And a pale sickly cheek salutes the skies,
How shall the vines with tender leaves defend
Her teeming clusters when the storms descend.
(Virgil.)
Candlemas Day.
So far as the sun shines in on Candlemas day (2d of February),
So far the snow will blow in before the first of May.
Cloudy Sunset.
The sun sets weeping in the lowly west,
Witnessing storms to come woe and unrest.
(Shakespeare.)
When the sun sets unhappily (with a hazy veiled face) then will the morning be angry with wind, storm, and sand. (Zuñi Indians.)
Color.
Since the colors and duration of twilight, especially at evening, depend upon the amount of condensed vapor which the atmosphere contains, these appearances should afford some indications of the weather which may be expected to succeed. The following are some of the rules which are relied upon by seamen: When after sunset the western sky is of a whitish-yellow, and this tint extends a great height, it is probable that it will rain during the night or next day. Gaudy or unusual hues with hard, definitely outlined clouds, foretell rain and probably wind. If the sun before setting appears diffuse and of a brilliant white, it foretells storm. If it sets in a sky slightly purple, the atmosphere near the zenith being of a bright blue, we may rely upon fine weather.
Days.
As the days begin to shorten
The heat begins to scorch them.
Dark Clouds.
If the sun sets in dark, heavy clouds, expect rain next day.
77If at sunrise there are many dark clouds seen in the west and remain there, rain will fall on that day.
Double Setting.
Sun setting double indicates much rain. Red sun indicates fair weather. Orange sun usually foul weather. Mock suns in winter are usually followed by intense cold.
Dull Color.
When the sun appears a pale or dull color, expect rain.
Drawing Water.
Rays of the sun appearing in a cloud forebode rain. This phenomenon is, in fact, caused by the image of the sun being reflected in an intervening cloud, the reflected image radiating in the cloud. It is noticed by Aristotle.
When the sun draws water, rain follows soon.
Sun drawing water indicates rain. If the sun draws water in the morning, it will rain before night.
Easter.
If sun shines on Easter, it will shine on Whit Sunday.
Fiery Red.
In fiery red the sun doth rise,
Then wades through clouds to mount the skies.
Friday.
If the sun sets clear Friday evening, it will rain before Monday night.
Golden Set.
The weary sun hath made a golden set,
And by the bright track of his fiery car
Gives token of a goodly day to-morrow.
(Richard III.)
Halo.
When the sun is in his house (in a halo or circle) it will rain soon. (Zuñi Indians.)
A solar halo indicates bad weather.
A halo around the sun indicates the approach of a storm, within three days, from the side which is the more brilliant.
If there be a ring or halo around the sun in bad weather, expect fine weather soon.
A bright circle around the sun denotes a storm, and cooler weather.
Haze.
Haze and western sky purple indicate fair weather.
Haziness.
A blur or haziness about the sun indicates a storm.
Hot Sun.
If the sun burn more than usual, or there be a halo around the sun in fine weather, “wet.”
78Looming Twilight.
Twilight looming indicates rain.
Low and High Dawn.
A low dawn indicates foul weather. A high dawn indicates wind.
Murky Clouds.
When the sun rises with dim, murky clouds, with black beams, clouds in the west, or appears red or green, expect rain.
Pale Twilight.
Pale, yellow twilight, extending high up, indicates threatening weather.
Pale Set.
If the sun sets pale, it will rain to-morrow.
Pale Sunrise.
If the sun rises pale, a pale red, or even dark blue, there will be rain during the day.
Pale Sunset.
A pale sunset, a golden sunset, or a green sunset, indicates rain.
Red Clouds.
If the clouds at sunrise be red, there will be rain the following day.
Red.
A red evening indicates fine weather; but if the red extends far upwards, especially in the morning, it indicates wind or rain.
Red Morn.
“A red morn: that ever yet betokened
Wreck to the seamen, tempest to the field,
Sorrow to shepherds, woe unto the birds,
Gust and foul flaws to herdsmen and to herds.”
(Shakespeare: Venus and Adonis.)
Red Sky.
A very red sky in the east at sunset indicates stormy winds.
Red skies in the evening precede fine morrows.
In winter if the sun rises with a red sky, expect rain that day; in summer, expect showers and wind.
If the sun set with very red sky in the east, expect wind; in the southeast, expect rain.
Sun Spots.
Wet seasons occur in years when sun spots are frequent.
Red Sun.
A red sun has water in his eye.
Scorching Sun.
When the sun in the morning (to 9 a. m.) is breaking through the clouds and scorching, a thunder-storm follows in the afternoon.
When the sun is scorching (i. e., reflected from roofs and water surfaces), rain follows soon.
79Sea-green Sky.
When the sky during rain is tinged with sea-green, the rain will increase; if with deep blue, the rain will be showery.
Spotted Clouds.
If the sun rises covered with a dark spotted cloud, expect rain on that day.
Spring.
If the sun appears dead, not bright and clear in the early spring, expect poor crops and very little rain. This sign usually comes in April. Dry winds may also be expected. (Apache Indians.)
Sun-dogs.
Sun-dogs indicate cold weather in winter or storm in summer.
A sun-dog at night is the sailor’s delight;
A sun-dog in the morning is the sailor’s warning.
Sunrise.
If de sun git up berry early and go to bed before he git up, it’s a sign it rains before soon. (Negro.)
If the sun rises clear, then shadowed by a cloud, and comes out again clear, it will rain before night.
Sunshining Shower.
Sunshining shower won’t last half an hour;
Sunshine and shower rain again to-morrow.
Ten and Two.
Between the hours of ten and two,
Will show you what the day will do.
Yellow Streaks.
Red or yellow streaks from west to east indicate rain in forty-eight hours.
Yellow Sunset.
A bright yellow sunset indicates wind; a pale yellow, wet; a neutral gray is a favorable sign in the morning, and unfavorable in the evening.
The sun reveals the secrets of the sky,
And who dares give the source of light the lie.
(Virgil.)
PROVERBS RELATING TO THUNDER AND LIGHTNING.
Birds.
If the birds be silent, expect thunder.
Cattle.
If cattle run around and collect together in the meadows, expect thunder.
Christmas Thunder.
Thunder during Christmas week indicates that there will be much snow during the winter. (Kansas.)
80Death—Plunder.
Winter thunder is to old folks death; and to young folks plunder.
Distant Thunder.
The distant thunder speaks of coming rain.
Early Thunder.
Early thunder, early spring.
Early and Late Thunder.
Thunder and lightning early in winter or late in fall indicates warm weather.
East Thunder.
If the first thunder is in the east, aha! the bear has stretched his right arm and comes forth, and the winter is over. (Zuñi Indians.)
East Wind.
If an east wind blows against a dark, heavy sky from the northwest, the wind decreasing in force as the clouds approach, expect thunder and lightning.
Evening Thunder.
If there be thunder in the evening, there will be much rain and showery weather.
Thunder in the evening indicates much rain.
Fall Thunder.
Thunder in the fall indicates a mild, open winter.
February Thunder.
Thunder and lightning in February or March, poor sugar (maple) year.
First Thunder.
The thunder-storms of the season will come from the direction of the first thunder-storm.
First thunder in winter or spring indicates rain and very cold weather. (Dr. John Menual.)
With the first thunder the gods of rain open their petals. (Zuñi.)
Forked Lightning.
Forked lightning at night,
The next day clear and bright.
Frogs and Snakes.
The first thunder of the year awakes the frogs and snakes from their winter sleep.
Heat.
Lightning brings heat.
July Thunder.
Much thunder in July injures wheat and barley.
Lightning without Thunder.
If there be lightning without thunder after a clear day, there will be a continuance of fair weather.
81March Thunder.
Thunder in March betokens a fruitful year. (German.)
May Thunder.
If there is much thunder in May, the months of September and August will be without it.
Morning Thunder.
Morning thunder is followed by a rain the same day.
When it thunders in the morning, it will rain before night.
North Lightning.
Lightning in the North will be followed by rain in twenty-four hours.
Lightning in the North in summer is a sign of heat.
North—south.
Lightning in the North indicates rain in twenty-four hours. Lightning in the South low on the horizon indicates dry weather. (Kansas.)
North Star.
Lightning under North Star will bring rain in three days.
NW. Thunder.
Thunder-storm from NW. is followed by fine, bracing weather; but thunder and lightning from NE. indicates sultry, unsettled weather. (Observer at Santa Fé).
North Thunder.
Thunder in the north indicates cold weather and rain from the west.
If the first thunder is in the north, aha! the bear has stretched his left leg in his winter bed.
North Wind.
With a north wind it seldom thunders.
November Thunder.
Thunder and lightning on the northern lakes in November is an indication that the lakes will remain open until the middle of December or until Christmas. (Said to be reliable).
Red and Pale Lightning.
When the flashes of lightning appear very pale, it argues the air to be full of waterish meteors; and if red and fiery, inclining to winds and tempests.
September Thunder.
Thunder-storms in September mean plenty of snow in February and March, and a large crop of grape wine. (German).
If it thunders much at the beginning of September, much grain will be raised the following year.
Spring Lightning.
Lightning in spring indicates a good fruit year.
Spring Thunder.
If there be showery weather, with sunshine and increase of heat 82in the spring, a thunder-storm may be expected every day, or at least every other day.
First thunder in the spring—if in the south it indicates a wet season, if in the north it indicates a dry season.
South or Southeast Thunder.
Thunder from the south or southeast indicates foul weather, from the north or northwest fair weather.
Sheet Lightning.
If there be sheet lightning with a clear sky on spring, summer, and autumn evenings, expect heavy rains.
South Thunder.
If the first thunder is in the south, aha! the bear has stretched his right leg in his winter bed. (Zuñi Indians.)
Summer Lightning.
Lightning in summer indicates good healthy weather.
West Thunder.
If the first thunder is in the west, aha! the bear has stretched his left arm in his winter bed. (Zuñi Indians.)
Winter Thunder.
A winter’s thunder
Is a summer’s wonder.
When thunder is heard in winter, it indicates cold weather. Thunder in the north indicates dry weather.
Thunder in winter means famine in summer.
Winter’s thunder
Bodes summer hunger.
PROVERBS RELATING TO TREES.
Ash and Oak.
Ash before oak,
There’ll be a smoke;
Oak before ash,
There’ll be a smash.
(Meaning heat and wind.)
Dead Branches.
Dead branches falling in calm weather indicate rain.
Leaves.
Early falling leaves indicate an early fall.
Logs.
An easy-splitting log indicates rain.
Leaves.
Leaves turned up so as to show the underside indicate rain.
Maple.
When the leaves of the sugar-maple tree are turned upside down, expect rain.
83
PROVERBS RELATING TO WIND.
Aches and Pains.
As old sinners have all points
O’ the compass in their joints,
Can by their pangs and aches find
All turns and changes of the wind.
Blast.
The sharper the blast,
The sooner ’tis past.
Barometer.
When the glass is low,
Look out for a blow;
When it rises high,
Let all your kites fly.
Backing Wind.
If the wind backs against the sun,
Trust it not, for back it will run.
Brisk Wind.
A brisk wind generally precedes rain.
Changing Wind.
It is a sign of continued fine weather when the wind changes during the day so as to follow the sun.
Winds changing from foul to fair during the night are not permanent.
Candlemas Day.
When the wind is on Candlemas day
There it will stick till the end of May.
Clear Sunset.
When the sun sets in a clear—
An easterly wind you need not fear.
Chenook Wind.
A Chenook wind is a warm wind which comes from the mouth of the Columbia river or Chenook Point. A Walla Walla wind is a cold wind which blows down the Columbia river. (Indian, North Pacific.)
Drought and Blast.
North and south the sign o’ drouth,
East and west the sign o’ blast.
East Wind.
In summer, if the wind changes to the east, expect cooler weather.
When the east wind toucheth it, it shall wither. (Ezekiel, chap. xvii, 10.)
And, behold, seven thin ears and blasted with the east wind came up. (Genesis, xli, 6.)
84The east wind brought the locust. (Exodus, x, 13.)
God prepared a vehement east wind. (Jonah, chap. iv, 8.)
The east wind hath broken thee in the midst of the seas. (Eziekel, chap. xvii, 26.)
An east wind brings no good to man or beast.
Easter Sunday.
As the wind blows on Easter Sunday from 8 a. m. to 12 m., the wind will be from that direction for the next forty days. (Chippewa Indians.)
Equinox.
The wind being north-northeast and east three days before the sun crosses the line, then southeast by way of east, then calm on the 23d, will bring enough and stormy winds from east and west all the winter.
East and West Wind.
When the wind is in the east,
The fish bite the least.
When the wind is in the west,
The fish bite the best.
Fixed East Wind.
If the wind becomes fixed in the east for the space of forty-eight hours, expect steady and continuous rain, with driving winds in the southwest during summer.
Gale.
A gale moderating at sunset will increase before midnight, but if it moderates after midnight, the weather will improve.
Fog and Mist.
Fog and mist raise higher seas than wind.
Heat.
If the wind be hushed with sudden heat, expect heavy rain.
Indiana Winds.
In Southern Indiana a southwest wind is said to bring rain in thirty-six hours.
Indian Proverbs Relating to Winds.
Wind from the north, cold and snow.
Wind from the western river of the northland, snow (northwest wind).
Wind from the world of waters, clouds (west wind).
Wind from the southern river of the world of waters, rain (southwest wind).
Wind from the land of the beautiful red, lovely odors and rain (south wind).
Wind from the wooded cañons, rain and moist clouds (southeast wind).
Wind from the land of day, it is the breath of health and brings the days of long life.
Winds from the lands of cold, the rain before which flees the harvest (northeast wind).
85Winds from the lands of cold, the fruit of ice (northeast wind).
Wind from the right hand of the west is the breath of the god of sand clouds. (Zuñi Indians.)
Increasing Winds.
If the wind increases during a rain, fair weather may be expected soon.
Milk Cream.
Milk cream makes most freely with a north wind.
Northerly and Southerly Winds.
If the wind is from the northwest or southwest, the storm will be short; if from the northeast, it will be a hard one; if from the northwest, a cold one; and from the southwest a warm one. After it has been raining some time, a blue sky in the southeast indicates that there will be fair weather soon.
North Wind.
If there be within four, five, or six days two or three changes of wind from the north through without much rain and wind, and thence again through the west to the north with rain or wind, expect continued showery weather.
The north wind driveth away rain. (Proverbs, xxv, 23.)
Northeast Rain.
As a rule northeast rains indicate cold and damp soil, poor prospects for small seeds, melons, &c. (Apache Indians.)
North, East, South, and West Winds.
When the wind is in the north,
The skilful fisher goes not forth;
When the wind is in the east,
’Tis good for neither man nor beast;
When the wind is in the south,
It blows the flies in the fish’s mouth;
But when the wind is in the west,
There it is the very best.
(Isaak Walton.)
Northeast Wind.
If the wind changes to the northeast or north, expect cold weather.
If there be northeast or east winds in the spring, after a strong increase of heat, and small clouds appear in the different parts of the sky, or if the wind changes from east to south at the appearance of clouds preceded by heat, expect heavy rains.
Northwest and East Winds.
When the wind is in the northwest
The weather is at its best;
But if the rain comes out of the east
’Twill rain twenty-four hours at least.
Northwest and Northeast Winds.
Northwest wind brings a short storm;
A northeast wind brings a long storm.
86Northwest Winds.
Northwest wind brings only rain showers.
If there be a change of wind from the northwest or west to the southwest or south, or else from the northeast or east to the southeast or south, expect wet weather.
If the northwest or north winds blow with rain or snow during three or four days in the winter and then the wind passes to the south through the west, expect continued rain.
In summer if the wind changes to the northwest, expect cooler weather.
If a northwest wind shifts to northeast, remaining there two or three days without rain, and then shifts to the south, and then back to the northeast, with very little rain, fair weather may be expected during the following month. (Observer at Cape Mendocino.)
New Year’s Eve.
If New Year’s Eve night wind blow from south,
It betokeneth warmth and drouth;
If west, much milk, and fish in sea;
If north, much cold and storm there’ll be;
If east, the trees will bear much fruit;
If north, flee it man and beast.
November-December.
As the wind is in the month of November, so will it be in the month of December.
No Wind.
No weather is ill
If the wind is still.
Night Winds.
Winds at night are always bright,
But winds in the morning, sailors take warning.
Pigs.
When pigs carry straws to their sty, a wind-storm may be expected.
Rising Wind.
First rise after very low
Indicates a strong blow.
Fast rise after a low
Precedes a stormy blow.
Rain-Wind.
Wind before a rain, set your topsails fair again.
Rain before the wind, keep your topsails snug as.
South Wind.
When ye see the south wind blow, ye say there will be heat; and it cometh to pass. (Saint Luke, xii, 55.)
A wind in the south
Is in the rain’s mouth.
The rain comes south
When the wind is in the south.
(Scotch.)
87Brisk winds from the south for several days in Texas are generally followed by a “norther.”
If there be dry weather with a light south wind for five or six days, it having previously blown strongly from the same direction, expect fine weather. (Texas.)
The southern wind doth blow a trumpet to his purpose, and by his hollow whistling in the leaves foretells a tempest and a blustering day. (Shakespeare.)
Southwest Wind.
In fall and winter if the wind holds a day or more in the southwest, a severe storm is coming; in summer, same of northeast wind.
A southwest blow on ye
And blister ye all over.
(Shakespeare.)
Three southwesters, then one heavy rain.
The third day of southwest wind will be a gale, and wind will veer to northwest between 1 and 2 a. m. (in winter) with increasing force. (From fisherman on North Carolina coast.)
If the wind shifts around to the south and southwest, expect warm weather.
Southeast Wind.
If the wind blows from the southeast during September 20th and 21st, the weather from the middle of February to the middle of March will be warm.
Shifting During Drought.
In Texas and the southwest when the wind shifts during a drought, expect rain.
September Winds.
If the wind blows from the south on the 21st of September, it indicates a warm autumn.
Sun.
Winds that change against the sun
Are always sure to backward run.
Storm.
When a heavy cloud comes up in the southwest and seems to settle back again, look out for a storm.
Wind-storms usually subside about sunset, but if they do not the storm will probably continue during the following day.
Always a calm before a storm.
Squalls.
Squalls making up on the flood-tide will culminate about high water; those making on ebb-tide will culminate about low-water. (South Atlantic coast.)
West Wind.
Wind in the west, weather at the best.
Wind in the east, neither good for man or beast.
88West Wind.
A west wind north about
Never hangs lang out.
(Scotch.)
West, East, South, and North Wind.
The west wind always brings wet weather,
The east wind cold and wet together,
The south wind surely brings us rain,
The north wind blows it back again.
(English.)
Veering Wind.
A veering wind indicates fair weather, a backing wind foul weather.
Unsteady Winds.
The whispering grove betrays the gathering elemental strife. Unsteadiness of the wind is an indication of changeable weather.
Whirlwinds.
When numerous whirlwinds are observed, the rotation being opposite to that of the sun, look for wind and rain.
Weather.
Every wind has its weather.
White Clouds.
Heavy, white, rolling clouds in front of a storm denote high wind.
PROVERBS RELATING TO YEARS AND SEASONS.
Almond Blooms.
Mark well the flowering almonds in the wood;
If odorous blooms the bearing branches load,
The glebe will answer to the sylvan reign,
Great heats will follow and large crops of grain;
But if a wood of leaves o’ershades the tree
Such and so barren will the harvest be.
(Virgil.)
Autumn.
A pleasant autumn and a mild winter will cause the leaves to fall next September.
A moist autumn, with a mild winter, is followed by a cold and dry spring, retarding vegetation. If the summer be rainy the following winter will be severe.
Cherry Year.
A cherry year
A merry year.
Coat.
Who doffs his coat on winter’s day
Will gladly put it on in May.
(Scotch.)
89Cold Spring.
A cold spring kills the roses. (Arabia.)
Equinox.
As the wind and weather is at the time of the equinox, so will be the wind and weather generally during the following three months.
As clear off the line, or equinoctial storm, so will all storms clear for six months.
Fair.
One fair day in the winter does not make the birds merry.
Fall.
A wet fall indicates a cold and early winter.
Famine.
After a famine in the stall
Comes a famine in the hall.
Frosty Nights.
Frosty nights and hot summer days
Set the cornfields all in a blaze.
Harvest.
The harvest depends more on the year than on the field. (Denmark.)
Haw Year.
A haw year
A braw year.
(Ireland.)
A haw year
A snaw year.
(Scotland.)
Indian Summer.
If we don’t get our Indian summer in October or November we will get it in winter.
Late Spring.
A late spring is a great blessing.
A late spring never deceives.
Long Harvest.
A long harvest, a little corn.
Leap Year.
In leap year the weather always changes on Friday.
Late Spring.
A late spring is bad for cattle, and an early spring for corn.
Nut—Corn.
A good nut year, a good corn year.
Oak Tree—Barley.
When the oak puts on his goslin grey
’Tis time to sow barley, night or day.
90Old Year.
If the old year goes out like a lion the new year will come in like a lamb.
Pear—Dear.
A pear year
A dear year.
Plum.
In the year when plums flourish all else fails. (Devon.)
A plum year
A dumb year.
(Kent.)
Rainy Winter.
After a rainy winter follows a fruitful spring.
Seasons.
Extreme seasons occur from the 6th to the 10th year of each decade (especially in alternate decades).
A severe autumn denotes a windy summer;
A windy winter a rainy spring;
A rainy spring a severe summer;
A severe summer a windy autumn;
So that the air in balance is
Seldom debtor unto itself.
(Lord Bacon.)
Short Harvest.
Short harvests make short earnings. (Yorkshire.)
Sloe Tree.
When the sloe tree is as white as a sheet
Sow your barley, whether it be dry or wet.
Snow.
A snow year a rich year.
Sow Beans.
Sow beans in the mud,
And they’ll grow like a wood.
Sow.
Sow thin, shear thin.
Spring Rain.
In spring a tub of rain makes a spoonful of mud;
In autumn a spoonful of rain makes a tub of mud.
Spring is both father and mother to us, and he who does not sow will not reap. (Gallicia.)
If the spring is cold and wet, the autumn will be hot and dry.
Fog in January makes a wet spring.
If it storms on February 2d, then the spring is not very far; but when bright and clear, then the spring will be late.
If it snows on February 2d, only as much as to be seen on a black ox, then summer will come soon.
91When in February it is mild,
Brings the spring the frost by night.
If it does not rain on St. Michael’s (29th of September) and Gallus (October 16th), the farmer will promise a dry spring.
Christmas in mud, Easter in snow.
If at Christmas ice hangs on the willow, clover may be cut at Easter.
Spring and Autumn Rain.
Spring rain damps; Autumn rain soaks. (Russia.)
Summer.
As much fog as plagues you in March, so many thunder-storms after one hundred days.
As much fog in March, so much rain in summer.
If it rains on June 27th, it will rain seven weeks.
As the weather on July 10th, so it will be for seven weeks.
When the sun enters “Leo” the greatest heat will then arise.
As the dog days commence so they end.
Midsummer rain
Spoils wine, stock, and grain.
Happy are the fields that receive summer rain.
Summer comes with a bound; winter comes yawning. (Finland.)
Summer in winter and summer’s flood
Never boded an Englishman good.
The Year.
Do not abuse the year till it has passed. (Spain.)
Thunder.
Thunder in spring
Cold will bring.
Wet Spring.
A wet spring—a dry harvest.
Winter.
In winter expect not fair weather from one night’s ice.
An early winter is surely winter.
Winter’s back breaks about the middle of February.
He that drops a coat on a winter day
Will gladly put it on in May.
Winter will not come till the swamps are full. (South.)
When the days get longer, comes the winter.
If cold at St. Peter’s day (February 22d), it will last longer.
The night of St. Peter’s shows what weather we will have for the next forty days.
92St. Matthew breaks the ice; if he finds none he’ll make some.
After Matthew’s no fox will run over the ice.
If on St. Michael’s day the winds blow from the north and east, a cold winter may be expected.
Light rain on St. Michael’s day is followed by a mild winter.
After a warm autumn a long winter.
When beech acorns thrive well and oak trees hang full, a hard winter will follow with much snow.
Much fog in autumn, much snow in winter.
If October brings much frost and wind, then are January and February mild.
Clear autumn, windy winter.
As many days from the first snow to the next new moon, so many times will it thaw during winter.
When birds and badgers are fat in October, a cold winter is expected.
If on All Saints’ day the beech acorn is dry we will stick behind the stove in winter, but if it is wet and not light the winter will not be dry, but wet.
If it is at Martin (November 11th) fair, dry, and cold, the cold in winter will not last long.
If the geese at Martin’s day stand on ice, they will walk in mud on Christmas.
If the leaves of the trees and grape-vines do not fall before Martin’s day, a cold winter may be expected.
As November 21st, so the winter.
When in November the water rises, it will show itself the whole winter.
When the winter is not early it will not be late.
December changeable and mild,
The whole winter will remain a child.
Lengthened winter and tardy spring are both good for hay and grain, but bad for corn and garden.
Winter thunder and summer’s flood
Never boded any good.
Winter finds what summer lays up.
Winter Thunder.
Poor man’s death, rich man’s hunger.
Winter Fire.
In winter a fire is better than a Muscat rose. (Persia.)
Year.
Wet and dry years come in triads.
A dry year never starves itself.
93
PROVERBS RELATING TO MONTHS, WEEKS, AND DAYS.
Month.
The month that comes in good will go out bad.
January.
If grass grows in January, it will grow badly the whole year.
In January if the sun appear,
March and April pay full dear.
(English.)
A January thaw is a sign for a July freshet.
If the grass grows green in January, it will grow the worse for it all the year.
In the Shepherd’s Almanac for 1676, among the observations on the month of January we find the following: “Some say that if on the 12th of January the sun shines it foreshows much wind. Others predict by Saint Paul’s day, saying if the sun shine it betokens a good year; if it rain or snow, indifferent; if misty it predicts great dearth; if it thunder, great winds and death of people that year.”
A favorable January brings us a good year.
Fair on Saint Paul’s conversion day (25th) is favorable to all fruits.
In January much rain and little snow is bad for mountains, valleys, and trees.
Saint Paul fair with sunshine,
Brings fertility to rye and wine.
Have rivers much water in January, then the autumn will forsake them. But are they small in January, then brings the autumn surely much wine.
Is January wet, remains empty the barrel.
If Saint Vincent’s (22d) has sunshine,
One hopes much rye and wine.
If Saint Paul’s (25th) is bright and clear,
One does hope a good year.
If on Saint Paul’s it rains and snows, the grain will be costly.
Much rain in January, no blessing to the fruit.
Fruit that grows in January will generally be costly or dear.
January warm, the Lord have mercy.
January wet no wine you get.
Fog in January brings a wet spring.
Hoar frost and no snow is hurtful to fields, trees, and grain. If grain grows in January there will be a year of great need.
Dry January, plenty of wine. January 1st.—Morning red, foul weather, and great need. January 2d.—As the weather is this day so will it be in September.
If the grass grows green in January, it will grow the worse for it all the year.
January fill dyke,
February black and white.
94A summerish January indicates a winterish spring.
Always expect a thaw in January.
A January spring is worth nothing.
A wet January, a wet spring.
February.
Double faced February.
Violent north winds in February herald a fertile year.
February 2d bright and clear
Gives a good flax year.
On Romanus (28th) bright and clear
Indicates a good year.
If the ground-hog is sunning himself on the 2d he will return for four weeks to his winter quarters again. St. Dorothea (the 6th) gives the most snow. When the cat in February lies in the sun, she will again creep behind the stove in March. When the north wind does not blow in February, it will surely come in March.
If February gives much snow
A fine summer it doth foreshow.
There is always one fine week in February.
Of all the months of the year, curse a fair February.
Heavy north winds in February forebode a fruitful year. (German.)
If on the 2d of February the goose finds it wet, then the sheep will have grass on March 25th.
When drops hang on the fence on the 2d of February, icicles will hang there on the 25th of March.
For every thunder with rain in February there will be a cold spell in May.
February rain is only good to fill ditches. (French.)
The nights of the 20th and 28th are called in Sweden “steel nights,” on account of their cutting severity.
February makes a bridge and March breaks it.
February doth cut and shear,
February fill dike.
Be it black or be it white;
But if it be white
It’s the better to like.
March.
Winds in March and rains in April promise great blessings in May. As much dew as shown in March so much fog rises in August.
In beginning or in end
March its gifts will send.
As it rains in March, so it rains in June.
Is’t on Joseph’s day (19th) clear,
So follows a fertile year;
Is’t on Mary’s (25th) bright and clear,
Fertile is said to be the year.
95A damp, rotten March gives pain to farmers.
A dry March, wet April, and cool May
Fill barn, cellar, and bring much hay.
Rain in March, poor harvest.
Dust in March brings grass and foliage.
If it does not freeze on the 10th, a fertile year may be expected.
Snow in March is bad for fruit and grape-vine.
March will search, April will try;
May will tell you whether you live or die.
March wet and windy,
Makes the barn full and findy.
March damp and warm,
Will do the farmer much harm.
March dust and March wind bleaches like a summer’s sun. (Scotch.)
A peck of March dust and showers in May,
Make corn green and fields gray.
When March is like April, April will be like March.
If March comes in with adder’s head,
It goes out with peacock tail.
A dusty March, a snowy February, a moist April, and a dry May, presage a good year. (French.)
A bushel of March dust is worth a king’s ransom.
A windy March and a rainy April make a beautiful May.
A dry March never brings its bread.
March comes in like a lamb and goes out like a lion.
So many frosts in March, so many in May.
March wind and May sun
Make clothes white and maidens dun.
A March wisher
Is not a good fisher.
A windy March and a rainy April make a fine May.
March grass never did good.
March in January, January in March, I fear.
April.
Is’t in April fair and mild,
The nill may be so much more wild.
Thunder-storm in April is the end of hoar frost. After a wet April follows a dry June. Whatever March does not want April brings along.
April and May are the keys of the year.
A cold April the barn will fill.
A dry April not the farmer’s will; rain in April is what he wills.
Snow in April is manure; snow in March devours.
96April cold and wet fills barn and barrel.
At St. Gorgen (24th) the meadow turns into hay.
April snow breeds grass.
Moist April clear June.
Wet May, dry July. (German.)
When on St. George (24th) rye has grown so high as to hide a crow therein, a good harvest may be expected.
When April makes much noise
We will have plenty of rye and hay;
When April blows its horn
Then it stands good with hay, rye, and corn.
A cold and moist April fills the cellar and fattens the cow.
When April blows his horn
’Tis good for both hay and corn.
April showers
Bring May flowers.
April borrows three days from March, and they are ill.
May.
A dry May is followed by a wet June. A normal wet and cool May brings a wet June. An abnormal warm May brings a wet June.
Dry May brings nothing.
Many thunder-storms in May,
And the farmer sings hey! hey!
Rain in the beginning of May is said to be injurious to wine.
Cool and evening dew in May
Brings wine and much hay.
Hoar frost on the 1st of May indicates a good harvest.
The later the black thorn in bloom after May 1, the better the rye and hay harvest.
If May will be a gardener, he will not fill the granaries.
Look at your corn in May,
And you’ll come sorrowing away;
Look at it again in June,
And you’ll come singing another tune.
A windy May makes a fair year. (Portuguese proverb.)
Water in May is bread all the year. (Spanish proverb.)
A hot May makes a fat churchyard.
A cold May enriches no one.
A May flood
Never did good.
A cold and windy May will fill the barn.
A dry May and a leaking June
Make the farmer whistle a merry tune.
May damp and cool fills the barns and wine-vats.
97Mist in May and heat in June
Makes the harvest right soon.
(Scotch.)
Cast not a clout
Till May be out.
Be it early or be it late,
May will bring the corn quake.
A swarm of bees in May is worth a load of hay;
But a swarm in July ain’t worth a fly.
If it rains on Philip’s and Jacob’s day (1st), a fertile year may be expected to follow.
Cold May brings many things.
A cold May and wind
Makes full barns and a findy.
(Scotch.)
June.
Rain on St. John’s day (24th), and we may expect a wet harvest.
Previous to St. John’s day we dare not praise barley.
If it rains on St. Peter’s day (29th) the bakers will have to carry double flour and single water; if dry, they will carry single flour and double water.
Peter and Paul will rotten the roots of the rye.
O! St. Vitus (15th), O do not rain, so that we may not want barley.
A cold and wet June spoils mostly the whole year.
June, damp and warm, does not make the farmer poor.
Rain on St. Barnabas day is a good harvest in grapes.
Rain on St. John’s (24th) will damage the nuts.
If north wind blows in June, rye will be splendid at harvest time.
When it is the hottest in June, it will be the coldest in the next February at corresponding days.
If St. Vitus day (15th of June) be rainy weather,
It will rain for thirty days together.
(Robin’s Almanac, 1697.)
Calm weather in June
Sets corn in tune.
A dripping June
Brings all things in tune.
If on the 8th of June it rain,
It foretells wet harvests, men hath sain.
July.
If it rains on the 2d (St. Mary’s), then it will rain the next four weeks.
98As July, so the next January.
July, God send thee calm and fair,
That happy harvests we may see;
With quiet time and healthsome air,
And man to God may thankful be.
What July and August left undone in cooking, September will have undone in roasting. (German.)
If it rains on July 10th, it will rain for seven weeks.
Dog days bright and clear
Indicate a good year;
But when accompanied by rain,
We hope for better times in vain.
Whatever July and August do not boil, September cannot fry.
Clear on St. Jacob’s day (20th) promises plenty fruit.
If three days previous to St. Jacob’s are clear, then the rye will be good.
If the 1st of July be rainy weather,
’Twill rain more or less for three weeks together.
August.
Thunder-storms after Bartholomew’s day are mostly violent.
When the dew is heavy in August the weather generally remains fair. When in beginning of August thunder-storms are passing, they will generally last to end of month.
As August, so the next February.
As Bartholomew day, so the whole autumn.
If the first week in August is unusually warm,
The winter will be white and long.
When the months of July, August, and September are unusually hot, January will be the coldest month.
On St. Mary’s day (15th) sunshine
Brings much and good wine.
When in August the sun shines warm, moon and stars are bright; it is good for grapes, because they then ripen well.
Matthew’s day (24th) bright and clear,
Brings good wine in next year.
A wet August never brings dearth. (Italian.)
When it rains in August it rains honey and wine.
If the 24th of August be fair or clear,
Then hope for a prosperous autumn that year.
Dry August, arid, warm,
Doth harvest no harm.
September.
As September, so the coming March.
September rain is much liked by the farmer.
Is the autumn warm, bright, and clear,
We may expect a fertile year.
99When a cold spell occurs in September and passes without a frost, a frost will not occur until the same time in October.
Fair on the first of September, fair the entire month.
As the deer goes into the heat, so he will again step out.
As the weather on the 8th, so it will be for the next four weeks.
A wet September; next summer drouth, no crops and famine. (California.)
If Michael brings many acorns, Christmas will cover the fields with snow.
September rain is good for crops and vines.
Thunder in September indicates a good crop of grain and fruit for next year.
If the storms in September clear off warm, all the storms of the following winter will be warm.
October.
Much rain in October, much wind in December.
If October brings heavy frosts and winds, then will January and February be mild.
When it freezes and snows in October, January will bring mild weather; but if it is thundering and heat-lightning, the winter will resemble April in temper.
Warm October, cold February.
As the weather in October, so will it be in the next March.
If the first snow falls on moist, soft earth, it indicates a small harvest; but if upon hard, frozen soil, a good harvest.
A good October and a good blast,
So blow the hog-acorn and the mast.
November.
As at Catharine (25th) foul or fair, so will be the next February.
As November, so the following March.
Thunder in November indicates a fertile year to come.
Flowers in bloom late in autumn indicate a bad winter.
November, take flail;
Let ships no more sail.
If there be ice in November that will bear a duck,
There will be nothing thereafter but sleet and muck.
December.
If it rains on Sunday before mass it will rain the whole week.
If Christmas finds a bridge, he’ll break it; if he finds none, he’ll make one.
As Ash Wednesday, so the fasting time.
A warm Christmas, a cold Easter.
A green Christmas, a white Easter.
If windy on Xmas day, trees will bring much fruit.
100If the wind blows much on Stephen’s day (26th), the grape will be bad in next year.
If it snows on Xmas night, we expect a good hop crop next year.
Christmas wet gives empty granary and barrel.
At Christmas meadows green, at Easter covered with frost.
Wet causes more damage than frost before, than after Christmas.
December cold, with snow, brings rye everywhere.
Days.
The first three days of any season rule the weather of that season.
The general character of the weather during the last twenty days of March, June, September, and December will rule the following season.
A bad day has a good night.
As the days lengthen,
So the cold strengthens.
The three days of September (20th, 21st, and 22d) rule the weather for October, November, and December.
The first three days of January rule the coming three months.
The last twelve days of January rule the weather of the whole year.
When there are three days cold, expect three days colder.
The twelve days commencing December 25th and ending January 5th are said to be the keys of the weather of the year.
Wednesday.
Wednesday clearing, clear till Sunday.
When the sun sets clear on Wednesday, expect clear weather the rest of the week.
Thursday.
The first Thursday in March, the first Thursday in June, the first Thursday in September, and the first Thursday in December are the governing days for each season. Whatever point of the compass the wind is on these days, that will be the prevailing direction of the wind for that season.
If it storms on the first Thursday, or any subsequent, of a month, count the remaining days of the month, add to this the number of days remaining of the moon, and they will give the number of storms for that season. (Wm. R. Ryan.)
Friday.
If the sun sets clear on Friday, it will blow before Sunday night.
If on Friday it rain,
’Twill on Sunday again;
If Friday be clear,
Have a Sunday no fear.
101Rain on Good Friday forebodes a fruitful year.
Friday is the best or worst day of the week.
If the sun sets clear on Friday, generally expect rain before Monday.
A wet Good Friday and a wet Easter day,
Makes plenty of grass but very little hay.
As the Friday, so the Sunday.
Saturday.
There is never a Saturday without some sunshine.
Sunday.
If it rains on Sunday before mass it will rain all the week.
When it storms on the first Sunday of the month it will storm every Sunday.
First Sunday in month rain, it will rain every Sunday of the month.
Sunday clearing, clear till Wednesday.
The last Sunday of the month indicates the weather of the next month.
If sunset on Sunday is cloudy, it will rain before Wednesday.
Christmas.
A light Christmas, a heavy sheaf.
If the sun shines through the apple tree on Christmas day, there will be an abundant crop the following year.
If on Christmas night the wine ferments heavily in the barrels, a good wine year is to follow. (German.)
The shepherd would rather see his wife enter the stable on Christmas day than the sun. (German.)
If ice will bear a man before Christmas, it will not bear a mouse afterward. (English proverb.)
If Christmas day on Thursday be,
A windy winter you shall see.
Windy weather in each week,
And hard tempests strong and thick.
The summer shall be good and dry,
Corn and beast shall multiply.
(Copied from old MS.)
A green Christmas makes a full graveyard.
A green Christmas indicates a white Easter.
Candlemas Day.
If Candlemas day be fair and clear,
There’ll be two winters in that one year.
On Candlemas day the bear, badger, or woodchuck comes out to see his shadow at noon; if he does not see it he remains out; but if he does see it he goes back to his hole for six weeks, and cold weather continues six weeks longer.
102Have on Candlemas day
One-half your straw and one-half your hay.
Candlemas day if it be fair
The half of the winter’s to come and mair.
Candlemas day, if it be foul,
The half of winter’s past at yule.
On Candlemas day