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
Oh yes, I love all of that stuff. Like this.... Elderflowers, Elderberries (Sambucus nigra) - History and Uses - Sacred Earth Ethnobotany Resources
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....
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:
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:
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
Yes i love this....Rain before seven, clear by eleven. If clouds move against the wind rain will follow.
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.
"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. Great thread Shea.....
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.