Weather Lore

Weather Lore

"Everything in time becomes.... a sort of weather-gauge. The
sun, the moon, the stars, the clouds, the winds, the mists, the
trees, the flowers, the herbs and almost every animal. All these
become instruments of real knowledge."
   ____ The Shepherd of Banbury's Rules


    Before long-range weather forecasts and satellite information became available, people relied upon their own observation of nature to discover weather trends. These often infinitesimal signs provided good guides to planting, growth and reaping. People who rely upon the land for their living still have knowledge of these signs and watch animal movements, cloud shapes and rain patterns with an eye that is more receptive than most. For our ancestors, good weather observation was often all that stood between plenty and dearth.
     What we once took for granted as ready information has become increasingly mysterious or magical to those who do not order their lives by such observation. The wisdom and rhythm of the sun and moon are seldom noted by us now, except to the extent that we are timekeepers of the celestial continuum; yet solar and lunar weather lore - whether the flaming dawn or sunset that portends foul or fair weather, or the ring round the moon that speaks of frost - contributes to our most significant understanding oh patterns. Such close observations may be needed by us again as weather patterns change, bringing rains, winds, and droughts at times and in places we do not expect them. We are going to have to find new - and possibly old - ways of realigning ourselves with the elements of weather wisdom.

"Learn more about the weather patterns and lore of your district. Take the gauge of the weather throughout the day and learn its patterns for yourself."
[From The Celtic Spirit by Caitlin Matthews]