Yesterday I saw a lovely lady about to purchase an umbrella. To my horror ... and before I could get to her - she opened it inside! I quickly informed her of the bad luck of her actions and she closed it rather confusedly. It was a funny moment when I realized that we didn't speak the same language ... in more than one way! But the message got across and we laughed. She had never heard of the superstition and I told her not to worry, that she would of course be okay. (I felt sure the gods would smile on her since she hadn't been aware of her transgression!) But it got me to thinking...where did this superstition come from? While I found some reference to parasols being used in ancient Egypt for protection from the sun, and the anger Ra would feel if they were opened indoors (being a Sun God and all) - I think it is more likely to have stemmed from Merrie Old England. In London (an indisputably wet town), in the 18th century, the umbrellas were very large, of heavy construction and with seriously serious metal spokes. When these unwieldy beauties opened ... WATCH OUT!! They could cause injuries to anyone standing too close ... not to mention knocking over items in small hallways before they could be safely closed. The fairies in Meadow Sweet Grove inform me that they have witnessed the damage opening an umbrella in their small abodes can cause. They tend to avoid the practice. Meadow Sweet Grove © V. Buchanan 2017
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This bit of magic comes from Derbyshire, England. On St. Valentine's Day eve, walk in a clockwise circle around your local church, scattering a handful of hempseed behind you. Whilst scattering, make sure you chant: "I sow a hempseed, Hempseed I sow. He who loves me best, Come after and mow." Run home quickly now and look over your shoulder. If a man begins to follow the path you made ... you will be married within the year. Meadow Sweet Grove © V. Buchanan 2017 / edited 2022 Well, apparently our Groundhog in the Grove must have seen his shadow on February 2nd and scurried back for six more weeks of sleep ... judging by all the snow we got that day ... and still have! But other Groundhogs are reporting that they didn't see their shadows and are declaring an early Spring. I guess the next few weeks ... maybe days will tell. Meadow Sweet Grove © V. Buchanan 2017
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