Folklore ?

Discussion in 'General Gardening Discussion' started by Shea Pendragon, Sep 19, 2011.

  1. Shea Pendragon

    Shea Pendragon Apprentice Gardener

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    Is there anyone interested in plant/flower/tree folklore ?

    How to predict the weather by the thickness of an onion skin,how to ward off evil with a herb,what does it mean when the Ivy falls from the house and what to put under your pillow before your wedding,are all fascinating stories,and there are hundreds of them.

    I was just wondering if it would be worth opening a section on it.
    I know a fair few folk tales,but by no means all,and am always open to learning and chatting about new ones.

    If your interested,then leave a comment here,maybe the mods will let us do something.

    Shea Pendragon
     
  2. Madahhlia

    Madahhlia Total Gardener

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    • Marley Farley

      Marley Farley Affable Admin! Staff Member

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      OK do you mean things like..
      The Oak before the Ash & you're in for a splash....
      The Ash before the Oak & you're in for a soak....

      Meaning whichever tree comes into leaf first it is telling you what sort of summer to expect....
       
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      • Bilbo675

        Bilbo675 Total Gardener

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        Pines Cones kept on a windowsill; if they're open it's going to be nice, if they're closed then rain is on its way!!!???............sort of like a natural barometer :thumb:
         
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        • Shea Pendragon

          Shea Pendragon Apprentice Gardener

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          Exactly what I mean,all 3 of 'em.:D

          Madahhlia-did you know that Witches often sit under the Elder,so dont prune it too often.:WINK1:
           
        • Marley Farley

          Marley Farley Affable Admin! Staff Member

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          Red sky at night, a sailors delight..
          Red sky in the morning, a sailors warning..
           
        • Marley Farley

          Marley Farley Affable Admin! Staff Member

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          When Trout jump high
          rain is nigh...

          A dark Michaelmas, a bright Christmas...
           
        • HYDROGEN86

          HYDROGEN86 Head Gardener

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          Fairies can often be seen dancing around mushroom rings (fairy rings)
          That's got to be my fav. :D
           
        • clueless1

          clueless1 member... yep, that's what I am:)

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          I'm into all that stuff. Some of it is just entertaining, but some is, in my opinion, practically law.

          If the Blackthorn blooms early, delay the new planting, a very cold blast is on its way. Sometimes referred to as a 'Blackthorn winter' (ie the Blackthorn tricks is into losing our crops, by letting us believe spring is here when another spell of winter is still to come).

          If you have to cut an elderberry tree, touch it with your hand first and thank it afterwards, otherwise bad luck will follow.

          Don't kill a Hawthorn tree is its alone in the middle of a field. Folklore has it that all your cattle will die if you do. Probably not a problem if you don't have cattle.

          Grow Sage. It brings wealth. I firmly believe this one. Whenever I or friends and family have hit major financial difficulties, I always get us/them a Sage plant. Every time (touch wood), shortly after, things have sorted themselves out. Not made us rich, but a job offer has came from nowhere, or it turns out a massive bill was wrong, or (in my case once) it turned out that my energy supplier had miscalculated my monthly fixed payments, and over the course of two years I'd clocked up nearly £600 credit, which they promptly returned.

          And of course, we can't have an article like this without mentioning the humble apple tree. The tree that seems to bring light to the gloom, and seems to push the rest of the world to one side and create a haven of peace (except when the wasps come for the windfalls).

          Oh, and make sure you never fall asleep under a Rowan. The fairies'll nab you if you do:)
           
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          • Flowerpot

            Flowerpot Gardener

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            Yes i love this....Rain before seven, clear by eleven. If clouds move against the wind rain will follow. :)
             
          • Trunky

            Trunky ...who nose about gardening

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            One old piece of country folklore which my Father used to swear by refers to the ring or halo sometimes visible around the moon at night.
            This was known locally as the 'burr' or 'burra' around the moon and the expression was "Far burra near rain, near burra far rain."
            If the halo is seen to be some distance away from the moon, then rain will soon follow, while a halo close to the moon means dry weather.
            Based on my own observations over the years, I'd say this particular piece of folklore is very reliable.
             
          • roders

            roders Total Gardener

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            :)"Grow Sage. It brings wealth. I firmly believe this one. Whenever I or friends and family have hit major financial difficulties, I always get us/them a Sage plant. Every time (touch wood), shortly after, things have sorted themselves out. Not made us rich, but a job offer has came from nowhere, or it turns out a massive bill was wrong, or (in my case once) it turned out that my energy supplier had miscalculated my monthly fixed payments, and over the course of two years I'd clocked up nearly £600 credit, which they promptly returned".

            Many thanks Clueless I will be buying Sage on my next visit to the Garden Centre,in fact I may surround myself with it lol. :dbgrtmb:

            Great thread Shea.....:dbgrtmb:
             
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            • Phil A

              Phil A Guest

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              Seen a Pixie, never a Fairy.
               
            • Phil A

              Phil A Guest

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              Don't eat Blackberries after Michaelmas, as the devil will have pee'd on them.
               
            • Marley Farley

              Marley Farley Affable Admin! Staff Member

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              If autumn leaves are slow to fall, prepare for a cold winter..

              If soot should fall, then rain will fall ...

              These are from my fisherman friend..

              Fish bite best before a rain.

              When fish break water and bite eagerly, expect rain.
               

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