Ancient Folk Lore

Ancient Folk Lore

Birth Marriage Death Moon Days Months

Months - stories from ancient folklore

February - weather lore and rhymes

Our ancestors generally regarded a wet February as the forerunner of a fine summer, and rain therefore during this month was looked upon as desirable ...

If February give much snow, A fine summer it doth foreshow.

in a more obscure saying that references a warm february, it is again thought bad for february to be warm.

When gnats dance in February the husbandman becomes a beggar.

infact this month does not seem too popular anywhere, Chambers notes that

there is a prejudice against February in the Scottish mind.

which i found absolutely charming, the Welsh do not escape and it has been said ...

The Welshman would rather see his dam on her bier, Than see a fair Februeer.

Candlemas Day - feb 2nd

candlemas day is rich in weather related folk lore, generally following the general february theme, it is very bad for it to be fine, hence

If Candlemas Day be fair and clear, There'll be twa winters in the year.

as well as various Scottish references such as these rhymes...

After Candlemas Day the frost will be more keen, If the sun then shines bright, than before it has been.
If Candlemas Day be dry and fair, The half o' winter's to come and mair; If Candlemas Day be wet and foul, The half o' winter gane at Yule

Shrove Tuesday and Ash wednesday - variable date depending on Easter

it is said that if it thunders

it foretelleth wind, store of fruit, and plenty.

but that if it is windy ..

a death amongst them that are learned, and much fish shall die in following summer.

It was commonly said that ...

Wherever the wind lies on Ash Wednesday, it will continue in that quarter during all Lent.

This website has been put together from a series of old texts that i came across,
while researching fairies and the world of fae in folklore,
I thought there was enough here to share with other people on these other topics.
these pages are meant as an introduction or a bit of fun reading,
for those interested in delving deeper ...
find the source material on the reference page

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