The Halifax Daily News (Nova Scotia)
August 24, 2004 Tuesday
St. Bart had bad luck, but better weather
by Day, Cindy
Growing up with a weather-savvy Grandma was very cool. There was
never a dull moment. She loved to share her incredible knowledge of
weather folklore.
I wake up thinking about Grandma every Aug. 24. Grandma wouldn’t let
this day go by without telling us (for the umpteenth time) about St.
Bartholomew.
According to Grandma, he was an ordinary saint, yet an extraordinary
apostle, who converted the King of Armenia. The king’s brother had
the apostle flayed and beheaded on Aug. 24, she said.
For days leading up to the 24th, Grandma prayed each night for good
weather on St Bart’s Day. If anyone asked why, she was quick to
recite: “If the 24th of August be fair and clear, then hope for a
prosperous autumn that year.”
My neighbour, not to be outdone by Grandma, believed that this day
ended the 40 days of rain presaged by a wet St. Swithin’s Day (July
15th): “All the tears St. Swithin can cry, St. Bartholomew’s mantle
can wipe dry.”
And finally – I hesitate to share this one – there are many people
who believe St. Bart’s Day brings in the cooler autumn weather: “At
St. Bartholomew, there comes a cold dew.”
According to the old pagan calendar, autumn started Aug. 24 and ended
Nov. 22. Not this year!