Red Sky at night.... 25/02/2016

Red sky at night, 

Shepherds delight, 

Red sky at morning, 

Shepherd's warning 

Red sky at night, 

Sailors delight, 

Red sky at morning, 

Sailors take warning

It doesn't matter which form of the rhyme you use it still has the same meaning. For thousands of years it has been believed that the sky at morning or night can predict the weather of the next day. The belief is also mentioned in the bible and in Shakespeare showing an interesting longevity of superstition. There are also versions from all across the world, including North America, Italy and Scandinavia. 

The actual science behind this is a result of trapped dust and soot particiles. Air particles react with the blue rays and the dust and soot react with the red rays. This is enhanced at night with the lower sun. When a weather system is moving from West to East the red sky at night means that the weather in the west is predominantly good. In the morning it indicated the nice weather has passed and instead an area of low pressure and less pleasant weather is on the way. 

The photograph at the top of the picture was taken yesterday at Portland in Dorset and looking out of my window at the beautiful weather outside this morning lends creedance to the rhyme. 

One for Sorrow, Two for Joy - 23/02/16

This blog starts out with the intention of mentioning, exploring or telling at least one folk story, tale, piece of lore or song per day. As such I could see no better way of starting than with one of my personal favourites.

One for sorrow,
Two for Joy,
Three for a girl,
Four for a boy,
Five for Silver,
Six for Gold,
Seven for a Secret Never to be Told,
Eight for a Wish,
Nine for a kiss,
Ten for a Bird you must not Miss.

When growing up I was taught this song, and it has stuck with me since. It interests me that such a common bird might be so linked with superstition and bad luck. For instance when you see one Magpie out on its own (One for Sorrow) you would say 'Good morning/afternoon/evening Mr Magpie, how's your wife'. It is likely that despite no longer being seen as an ill omen in this country that it was seen as such up until the Early Modern Period with the song having Georgian roots. In the 19th century book, A Guide to the Scientific Knowledge of Things Familiar, a proverb concerning magpies is recited: "A single magpie in spring, foul weather will bring". In Scotland a single magpie near the window of a home foretells death. In Norway they are seen as the birds of the Hulder; who depending on place and sometimes profession can be seen bearers of good or ill will.

The Magpie (The Eurasian Magpie in this case) is a highly intelligent member of the crow family. Many members of this family group have been cast as harbingers of ill luck, most notably the Raven. Not helped perhaps by their nature as carrion birds or by their black colouring. This extreme intelligence has been shown by the species in their surprisingly extravagant grieving rituals. One for sorrow might, in my opinion, be a mention of this aspect of their behaviour.

Whatever this reason for this interesting rhyme it is a tradition I intend to treasure for years to come.