To find a horse shoe on the road or in a field is considered extremely lucky.

To see a lamb for the first time during the season with its head facing you is also lucky.

When you see a newly-wedded couple throw an old pair of shoes at them, for it means “good luck to them.”

This was done now at Llanilar, October, 1910, at the wedding of Miss Jones, Bryntirion, by Mrs. Richards, Derwen-Deg.

To drop your stick or umbrella on your journey is unlucky.

When you have started on a journey, to turn back to the house for something you have forgotten, means bad luck.

To bring heather into the house is a sign of death: white heather, however, is considered extremely lucky.

It is unlucky to meet a white horse when on a journey, to change it into luck spit over your little finger.

If a young lady looks through a silk-handkerchief at the first new moon after New Year’s Day, she will be able to see her future husband.

It is unlucky to find a coin on the road, but if the head and not the tail happens to be up it is a lucky omen.

To carry in one’s purse a crooked sixpence, or a coin with a hole in it is lucky.

Spit on the first coin you get in the day, and you’ll have luck for 24 hours.

Never begin any new work on a Friday or Saturday.

It is considered unlucky for a servant to go to service on a Thursday or a Saturday. In Cardiganshire servants go to service either on a Monday or Wednesday, which are considered lucky days.

A woman near Narberth in Pembrokeshire told me that Tuesdays and Thursdays are lucky days in that part.

In some parts of Carmarthenshire, the most lucky days are Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.

But the fact of it is, I have discovered that the days which are considered lucky in one part of the country are considered unlucky in another part. [216]

Odd numbers, especially three, and seven, are said to be lucky numbers.

Thirteen, however, is considered very unlucky, and it is thought that if thirteen persons sit down to table, the last person who sits down and the first to rise up, are those to whom the ill-luck will fall.

It is considered unlucky by many to shake hands across a table; and when two people are shaking hands, if two others of the company attempt to shake hands across their hands it is a very unlucky sign.

It is considered unlucky by some to baptise more than one child in the same water. There is also the same superstition respecting one man washing after another in the same water.

In Cardiganshire, it is believed that he who dies on Sunday is a godly man.

Mr. Eyre Evans, Aberystwyth, informed me that he has just come across some people in Montgomeryshire who consider it unlucky to pick up or carry white stones in their pockets; and it seems from Sir John Rhys, that Manx Fishermen do not like to have a white stone in a boat.

Curious Belief about Salt.—When people remove into a new house it is customary to take a bar of salt into the building before taking in any of the furniture. This is supposed to secure good luck.

When this salt ceremony is forgotten or neglected, some people, especially women, are very much perturbed.

I have discovered that this curious old belief about salt is very common at present in the towns of Aberystwyth, Carmarthen, and Tenby, and other parts of West Wales.

To spill salt denotes quarrels. To serve another person with salt, is to serve him with sorrow.

When a white spot appeals on the nail of one of our fingers it means a present.

Never stir the fire in anybody’s house unless you are a friend of seven years’ standing.

To break a looking-glass signifies ill-luck for seven years.

To put the bellows on a table is considered unlucky. There is also the same superstition about boots all over Wales.

Never mend your clothes while you are wearing them.

If you see a pin pick it up to insure good luck.

There is a saying in Welsh “Gwell plygu at bin, na phlygu at ddim,” (It is better to bend down for a pin, than to bend down for nothing.) It seems that a needle, however, is not considered [217]so lucky; for I once overheard a woman who had quarrelled with her neighbour telling her husband that her neighbour and herself were friends before she had given her a needle.

If a bramble clings to the skirts of a young lady some one has fallen in love with her; and the same is said of a young man when his hat goes against the branches of a tree.

Welshpeople believe that those who have cold hands are very warm-hearted; hence the saying “Llaw oer a chalon gynes,” (A cold hand and a warm heart).

Two spoons in a saucer denote a wedding, or according to some that you are to be married twice dining your lifetime.

In West Wales it is considered unlucky to eat herring or any kind of fish, from the head downwards; and in order to ensure good luck the proper way is to eat the fish from the tail towards the head. This superstition is also known in Cornwall.

If in making tea you forget to replace the lid on the teapot, it is the sure sign of the arrival of a stranger.

David Evans, a millwright, of Llandilo, informed me a short time ago, that one evening when he was staying in Lampeter, the woman of the house who was preparing tea for supper at a late hour, forgot to replace the lid on the pot. When she found it out, she exclaimed: “A stranger is sure to come here to-night.” The husband and wife, and the millwright sat down by the fire till a late hour, but there was no sign of a stranger; just as they were going to bed, however, there was a knock at the door, and a stranger came in!

Superstitions about Knives.—To cross your knife and fork is considered unlucky; and crossed knives foretell some approaching disaster.

To find a knife on the road or in a field is also supposed to be a very bad omen. This superstition is very general in all parts of Wales, and even in far off parts of the world as well. Many years ago in Patagonia, South America, two friends of mine and myself met in a field one morning by appointment, in connection with some particular business. Each of us three had come from different directions, and each of us had arrived at the spot the same time, and when we came together, strange to say, we discovered that each of us had found a knife on the way! The names of my two friends were Edwin Roberts, and William James, one was a native of Flintshire, and the other a native of Cardiganshire, both of them were no means superstitious; but I well remember that they were very much perturbed on account of the knives, and feared that some serious misfortune was going to [218]happen. As soon as we went home we heard the sad news that a young man named Isaac Howells, was accidentally drowned in the river!

It is also very generally believed at present, that it is unlucky to receive a knife as a present. In such cases it is customary to pay a penny for the knife.

Wish whenever you get the first taste of the season of any kind of food. It is also considered very lucky to taste as many Christmas puddings as you can.

It is considered unlucky to pass under a ladder.

When walking a long journey if your feet are sore rub the feet of your stockings with soap.

A ringing in the right ear is a sign of good news; but a ringing in the left one, unpleasant news.

When the palm of your left hand itches, you are about to give away some money, or some one is blaming you; but when the palm of you right hand itches, it is a sign that you are about to receive money, or that someone is praising you or writing a kind letter to you.

When going on a journey, if the sole of your right foot itches, the journey will be a pleasant one; but the contrary if the left foot itches.

A child born with a caul is supposed to be very lucky, and he will always be safe from drowning. A caul is much appreciated among sailors in West Wales, as it is believed that to keep one on board the ship secures a safe voyage.

In all parts of Cardiganshire and Carmarthenshire, it is generally believed among women that it is unlucky to cut the nails of an infant under six months old. The mother bites them off as they grow.

Superstition about Whistling.—It is considered unlucky for a young woman to whistle. Whistling is also, or at least was regarded, as “Talking with the Devil.” Mr. Ferrar Fenton in “Pembrokeshire Antiquities,” page 59, says, that many years ago he happened to whistle one day whilst walking on the pier at Fishguard with a young sea captain. The Captain seemed very much perturbed at the whistling, and at last said to Mr. Fenton:—“I wish you would not whistle here!” “Why? What harm does it do?” “Well, you know,” he said slowly, as if shy at his words, “We Welshmen and sailors are superstitious over some things, and whistling as you now do, is one of them.” “Superstitious! Not you! But tell me about it: I love all those old tales.” “You see,” he replied, “my mother and all the old [219]people told me when a boy that such kind of whistling was the way Croignorian (Magicians) talk with the Devil, and sailors believe something like it, and it always makes my heart start to hear it, especially on the seashore.” Then he added, “Look! how muggy it is behind Pencaer. You’ll bring a gale, and I always feel pity for the sailors afloat when a sou’-wester rages in the channel behind it.” When the great Divine and Martyr, Bishop Ferrar, of St. David’s, was burnt alive at Carmarthen in 1555, amongst other pretences for his destruction he was accused of being a Magician, and “teaching his infant son to talk with the Devil by means of whistling.”

In the old days of sailing ships, wind was an agent of great value; and sometimes sailors whistled for a wind, and this whistling was considered a direct invocation to “the prince of the power of the air” to exert himself on their behalf. I have heard of an old man who is still alive who believes that the devil has some control over wind and rain.
[Contents]
THE MOON.

There are still lingering in Wales many beliefs and practices with respect to the moon. It is considered unlucky to see the new moon the first time through the window, and many persons go out of doors to see her and show her a piece of money to insure good luck while that moon lasts. I was told by an old gentleman in Cardiganshire that he had seen many taking off their hats and bowing to the new moon; some ladies also make a curtsey to her, and it is considered very lucky to see her over the right shoulder. If a person wishes anything when he sees the new moon after New Year’s Day, his wish will be granted to him.

Putting a Hen to Sit.—A hen is put to sit so as to get the chick out of the egg at the waxing, and not at the waning of the moon, as it is believed that the young birds are strong or weak according to the age of the moon when they are hatched.

Sowing.—There are still many people who are very particular to sow their seeds in their gardens and their fields during the first quarter of the moon, owing to the idea that the seed will then germinate quicker, and grow stronger than when the moon is on the wane. I knew a farmer—a native of Llanfynydd, in Carmarthenshire—who was always very careful to sow his wheat during the first quarter or the waxing of the moon, and it is a well-known fact that he had always a good crop at harvest time.

There are also people who are very particular about having their hair cut just before or about full moon so that it might grow better afterwards. [220]

When a child, I was told that the dark object which is to be seen in the moon is a man who was taken up there as a punishment for gathering firewood on the Sabbath Day.
[Contents]
WEATHER SIGNS, SEASONS.

The cat sitting with her back to the fire is considered to be a sign of snow.

The cock crowing on rainy weather is a sign of fair weather for the rest of the day.

Sea-gulls flying seaward betoken fair weather; when they fly landward, a storm is coming.

When the crane flies against the stream, that is, up the river towards its source, it is considered a sign of rain; but the same bird going down the river, is a sign of fair weather. The same is said of the heron.

To see ducks and geese flap their wings and dive wildly about is a sign of rain.

Crows flying low portend rain; but if they fly high in the air it is a sign of fair weather. The same is said of swallows.

Other rain signs are the woodpecker’s screech; and the cows running wildly about.

If the mountain ponies leave the low and sheltered valleys and return to the mountains during hard weather, it is a sign of a change in the weather.

The sheep flocking together is a sign of rough weather.

According to the old Welsh saying the rainbow appearing in the sky in the morning portends rain; and in the afternoon fair weather:—

“Bwa’r arch y bore,

Aml a hir gawode;

Bwa’r arch prydnawn,

Tywydd teg a gawn.”

Rainbow in the morning,

Frequent and long showers;

Rainbow in the afternoon,

Fair weather we shall have.

Ceredigion, in “Bye-Gones,” August 2nd, 1905, says: “All along the Merioneth and Cardiganshire Coasts farmers watch the sea carefully in harvest time. If there be not a cloud in the sky; if the wind be in a dry quarter; and if the sea be of cerulean blue, if the margin be discoloured and muddy, the farmers know that rain is approaching and will probably be on them before nightfall.”

If distant mountains are clearly seen, rain may be expected; but if the mountains appear as if they were far off, it is a sign of fine weather. [221]

When the smoke from the chimney falls down toward the ground, instead of rising upward, it is a sign that rainy weather will soon follow; but if the smoke goes upward straight, it is a sign of fair weather.

In the evening, when the horizon in the west is tinged with a ruddy glow it is a sign that fair and dry weather will come.

In the summer, when the atmosphere is dense and heavy it is a sign of a thunder-storm.

Rough weather may be expected when the wind blows the dust about, and throws down people’s hats.

When the stone floors are damp and are long in drying after having been washed is a sign of fair weather.

It is also considered a good sign to see large numbers of white butterflies.

Another good sign of fine weather is the sun setting red and clear.

Bread and butter falling on the floor upside down signifies “rain is near,” according to some folks.

When the moon’s horns are turned up, it is a sign of fine weather; if they are turned down rain is coming. When the face of the moon is partially obscured by a light thin vapour rain is coming.

Welsh people in country places generally expect a change of weather when the moon changes; and I have just been informed at Llanilar, that a new moon on a wet Saturday, brings wet weather, but that, on the other hand, a new moon on a fine Saturday, brings fine weather.

By Christmas, the days are said to have lengthened “a cock’s stride.”

The following Welsh weather sayings I often heard when a boy:—

“Chwefrol chwyth,

Chwytha’r deryn oddiar ei nyth.”

(February’s blast

Blows the bird from its nest.)

 

“Mawrth a ladd,

Ebrill a fling.”

(March kills,

April flays.)

If the hazel (collen) blooms well it is a sign of a fruitful year.
[Contents]
“A NUTTY YEAR.”

In Cardiganshire and Carmarthenshire, it is believed that if nuts will be numerous, many children will be born that year. [222]
[Contents]
A MILD WINTER.

I have met many people all over Wales who think that a very mild winter is not good, and they repeat the old saying:—

“Gaeaf glas, mynwent fras.”

which means that

“When the winter is green, many funerals will be seen.”
[Contents]
BIRDS AND BEASTS LORE.
THE CUCKOO.

It is believed in Cardiganshire and Carmarthenshire by many, especially old people, that the cuckoo does not go away from this country in winter, but sleeps in some sheltered place. When a boy, I often heard the following ditty:—

“Amser y gwcw yw Ebrill a Mai,

A hanner Mehefin, chwi wyddoch bob rhai.”

(The Cuckoo’s time is April and May,

And half of June, as all know, I daresay).

The cuckoo making its appearance before the leaves are on the hawthorn bush is a sign of a bad year; and for the bird not to appear at its usual time is also a bad sign; hence:

“Gwcw Glamme,

Cosyn dime.”

When you hear the cuckoo for the f............