The Sun

If the sun shone on the hillside and cast a shining reflection on the granite rocks and flags on the hillsides, that was regarded as a sign of approaching rain.

The sun, sunken in the clouds meant rain on the morrow. At sunset the rays of the sun slanting in broad bands meant heavy rain.

A red sunset bodes good weather, a red sun at night is the farmer's delight. Again if the sun was enveloped by deep clouds but trying to shine forth meant a heavy rainfall to follow. The rainbow was never very welcome while harvesting turf or hay as the downpour was pending. Wind, rain or frost could be forecasted from the dying rays of the sun as it sank in the west. A shimmering red skyline at sunset in Summer is a sure sign of an approaching heatwave.

The Moon

The moon in all it's phases was a great weather guide for the past generations. A far ring on the moon meant a storm near hand while a ring near the moon meant a far away storm. If the weather does not change at the beginning of any phase of the moon it means it will not change for the duration of that quarter. Also the first quarter of the New Moon follows the same pattern of weather as the last quarter of the old moon.

In winter and early Spring if the New Moon makes her appearance on the second or third day and appears like a small silvery crescent with upturned ends, it foretells frost and snow for the duration of the moon. If the moon appears to be racing behind the clouds, that presages wind and storm.

Again if the new moon appeared as an upturned crescent on the first days of its cycle in early summer, it meant that fair weather was on the way.

"Ceapadh na Deoire" that was called in Irish and it was time for able-bodied men to head for the bog with their turf-spades on their shoulders!

The Stars

The stars, shining like diamonds in a clear sky in late Autumn, Winter or Spring meant a hard night's frost. If the horizon looks red at sunset more frost and snow are forthcoming. A shooting star means plenty of harsh weather. 'A soul was on its flight to heaven', the old people said, and mortals could make a wish, but it would be pointless, it appears, to wish for mild weather.