On the Popular Weather Prognostics of Scotland. 223 
IV. Moon and Sun, Rainbow, Aurora Borealis, Falling Stars, 
and Thunder. 
(1.) A few days after full or new moon, changes of weather 
from good to bad or bad to good, are thought more probable than 
at other times. | 
(2.) In winter, when the moon’s horns are sharp and well 
defined, frost is expected. 
(3.) When the moon has a white look, and when her outline 
is not very clear, rain or snow is looked for. 
(4.) ‘Clear moon, 
Frost soon.” 
(5.) If the old moon embraces the new moon, stormy weather 
is foreboded. Great confidence is placed in this old prognostic : 
‘I saw the new moon late yestreen 
Wi the auld moon in her arm, 
And if we gang to sea, master, 
I fear we’ll come to harm.”—Sitr Patrick Spens. 
(6.) Haloes predict a storm (rain and wind, or snow and wind) 
at no great distance, and the open side of the halo tells the quarter 
from which it may be expected. 
(7.) Mock-suns predict a more remote and less certain change 
of weather. 
(8.) “A rainbow in the morning— 
Sailors take warning ; 
A rainbow at night 
Is the sailor’s delight.” 
Norr.—In the former case the rainbow will appear in the 
west, and in the latter in the east. In studying the 
prognostic this should be borne in mind. 
(9.) The aurora borealis indicates change, especially if lurid and 
fiery. Itis thought by many that a south-west wind often follows. 
Others, however, look for cold and storm when the aurora is very 
vivid. By some it is less, and by others more dreaded when seen 
low in the horizon. Many speak of it simply as indicating change 
—good to bad, or bad to good. 
(10.) Numerous falling stars presage wind next day. 
(11.) Sheet lightning, without thunder, during night, having 
a whitish colour, announces unsettled weather. In the west of 
Scotland, vivid flashes of lightning early in the morning are re- 
garded as an unfavourable sign of the weather for that day. 
(12.) A thunderstorm from the south is said to be foilowed by 
warmth, and from the north, by cold. When the storm disappears 
in the east, it is a sign of fine weather. 
