I'm so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers
L.M. Montgomery
October was originally the eighth month of the Roman calendar. The Anglo Saxons called it Wynmonath - the wine making month or Winterfylleth meaning the full moon heralding winter.
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| Illustration by Eugene Grasset from the Kate Greenaway Illustrated Book of Days |
There is often a short period of stormy weather in the first half of the month, followed by St Luke's little summer - dry days around the 18th and heavy rain at the end of the month around St Simon's and St Jude's day on the 28th .
In the past villagers relied on pannage - the law allowing them access to the woods for their pig - to enable it to fatten on acorns and beech mast before it was killed at the end of the month.
A good October and a good blast
Will blow the hog his acorn and mast.
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| Beech Mast |
I found pannage carries on ...........this on the National Trust website........
Pannage is an ancient practice that is still used today by commoners and verderers who turn out their pigs into the Forest during the season. The pannage season, usually between September to December, lasts around 60 days. This year's season will run between 13 September to 14 November. Pigs do a vital job of eating many of the acorns that fall at this time of year. Green acorns are tasty for them, but poisonous for the ponies and cattle that roam the area freely.
Weather lore this month is mostly predictions for the coming winter.
Hard frosts in October means we'll have a mild January
For every fog in October there will be snow in winter
Full moon in October without frost, no frost until full moon in November
Much rain in October, much wind in December
Warm October, cold February.
Warm October, cold February.
Most of these weather sayings have been on previous October posts but hopefully they are good for a repeat.
Back Soon
Sue