Today we open an app to discover what the weather will be. The wise ones of the older generation, however, watched and listened to the messages from nature. They were keen observers of the animals and plants around them. To survive and flourish, they had to pay attention. Farming families, especially, depended on clement weather and good timing to bring in an abundant harvest. The old folks often used proverbs such as “ring around the moon, rain will come soon.” My grandmother was one who lived by the signs. As you’ve undoubtedly heard older folks say, she could foretell rain by the ache in her bones. With winter solstice just behind us, you may be wondering how bad the season is going to be. Here are some of the signs that can foretell a harsh winter.
The holly is jam packed with juicy red berries.
Acorns drop in abundance and with great thudding sounds.
Squirrels gather more nuts than usual and earlier than usual.
Cows grow tufts of thick hair on the napes of their necks.
Spiders spin huge webs.
I noticed two of these this year. One was the acorns. They sounded like branches dropping instead of little nuts. Secondly, I saw gigantic elaborate spider webs outside. Have you noticed any of these signs in your area? What others have you seen?
Cheers & Happy Reading!
Flossie Benton Rogers, Conjuring the Magic with Paranormal Fantasy Romance
I love weather folkore, and even have a daily app for it! Today’s lore: “Snow coming two or three days after the new moon will remain on the ground for some time. That falling just after the full moon will soon go off.”
I’m not the best at noting signs for winter, but I do pay attention to animals, plants and trees when a storm is brewing or seems like it might be near.
My father was fond of saying “Red sky at night, sailor’s delight. Red sky in morning, sailor’s warning.” I still think of that when I observe the skies these days!
Ooh, I’ll look for that app, Mae. Speaking of animals, I notice Marigold gets very frisky in cold weather and also in stormy weather. My family had that red sky saying too. In the old days it undoubtedly saved lives.
No acorns at all…probably since I have maples. However, I did notice either snow or meteorites on your website….
Yes, Liza, living down here that’s the snow I get to enjoy!
Yes all of them though its not unusully cold yet though winter has just begun.
The signs are so interesting. Thanks for stopping by, Cathy!
Like your grandmother, my bones warn me in advance about weather changes. And I’ve had a lot lately.
The red sky is also a sign of coming storm here too.
But something I’ve known and got it verified is that when large flocks of crows fly in circles above the sky the weather will change to the worse. They usually predict snowstorms. I saw them two days ago circling above a tree we have in the backyard, and we really had a snowstorm last night and today. So it’s true. I regret I can’t send you some snowballs from the snow in my yard!
There’s also a saying here that when a cat keeps licking the ears it will rain.
Thank you again for an interesting topic! Happy Writing and Reading in 2015!
Carmen
I’ll be on the watch for crows flying in circles, Carmen. That sounds intriguing. I’m so glad your storm is over and you and your family are okay. I’ve heard that about a cat just recently. I also saw where some children get burning ears just before a rain. I’ll have to ask the Snickerdoodles about that one. The happiest of new years to you!