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3cats

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    SE, London and East Anglia Weather Discussion - Dec 2023 on

    in SE, London and East Anglia Weather Discussion

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    Just seen this posted else where, certainly interesting how weather was predicted way back when! 

     

    In old English folklore Feb 2 (the Celtic festival of Imbolc or the Christian festival of Candlemas) was regarded as a significant day in forecasting the weather for the remainder of winter.  It was believed that if the weather was fine and clear, then cold and stormy weather would reign for the remaining weeks of winter, whilst grey and wet weather was said to foretell of a milder end to winter and an early thaw. 

    If Candlemas be fair and bright,
    winter has another flight.
    When Candlemas brings cloud and rain,
    winter shall not come again.

    In the days before the first weather forecasts signs and omens were taken very seriously, especially in a rural environment where the local economy was greatly impacted by the weather ahead.

    The Celtic fire festival of Imbolc (pronounced im-olk) marks the middle of Winter (occurring roughly midway between the Winter Solstice and the Spring Equinox).  The festival commemorates the rebirth of the sun, signalling the successful passing of winter and the beginning of the agricultural year.  As winter stores of food were getting low Imbolc rituals were performed to harness the energy that would ensure a steady supply of food until the harvest six months later.  It is also a festival of light and of fertility, once marked in Europe with huge blazes, torches and fire in every form (from where the much more sedate Christian celebration of Candlemas evolved).  The lighting of fires celebrated the increasing power of the Sun over the coming months.

    Feb 2 was traditionally also the day when livestock was removed from the meadows that were destined to be cut for hay later in the summer. 

    Over the past few years, looking outside to predict the remainder of winter has been somewhat confusing, as sunshine at one moment has rapidly given way to grey skies, as if nature is playing a secretive game and is keeping its hand very close to its body. 

     

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