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
Gosh yes, still pannage rights in the New Forest. Acorns cause Vitamin B deficiency which is what kills the ponies (assume it's the same for cattle). When riding in the New Forest in autumn, you had to be alert as horses HATE pigs and if you suddenly came across some on your ride, you would have to hold tight as your mount hurled itself in the opposite direction or grew to 18 hh in horror!!
ReplyDeleteWatching the pigs during pannage time was an unforgettable sight, which we witnessed annually whilst living in Dorset on the edge of the New Forest. October has begun here in Norfolk wirh a wet and windy morning
ReplyDeleteIt would be interesting to record the veracity of these sayings - I'm sure someone, somewhere, does just that.
ReplyDeleteHow interesting! I've never heard of pigs during pannage times before. There are a lot of acorns on the ground around here. Mostly they are taken by the squirrels and chipmunks to help them through the long winter months!
ReplyDeleteI always enjoy reading about the old traditions.
ReplyDeleteIn October I feel that there's no pretending anymore that it's summer - at least we know where we are with this weather, it's wet and windy with some sunny spells. 😀
Alison in Wales x
I took some photographs of beautifully coloured leaves lying on the pavement today. I’m sure people thought I was strange but the colours brought me such joy! Catriona
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing time frame of October. I enjoy seeing the tree leaves changing colors. It's been in the mid 40s since Saturday night. Interesting story about the pigs that you shared. Have a good day!! **Becky
ReplyDeleteI love October, we are at last properly into Autumn. Mind you I'm not keen on Halloween right at the end, but the nature side of it, the dark nights and the cooler weather are all wonderful.
ReplyDeleteI love these old weather rhymes. Sadly, they often seem to be Britain-specific, so I have not been able to fit them into our weather here.
ReplyDeleteI bet the pigs just love those acorns. Thanks for sharing October Days with all of us.
ReplyDeleteGod bless.
i love the cool weather that October brings.
ReplyDeleteOur squirrels are very busy eating and gathering acorns. There are no pigs nearby and I did not know pigs also ate acorns.
I love those sayings. xx
ReplyDeleteI had never heard of this. Yet
ReplyDeleteAnother thing I learned from blogs!