Conversion of St. Paul / Pálsmessa

The feast of Conversion of St. Paul / Pálsmessa falls on Sunday January 25.th.  This day has during centuries been connected with weather predictions! 

In Iceland, ravens were said to settle down on farms for the winter where they were often fed.  The raven has a strong reputation of being a wise bird, and there are many stories of ravens saving the farm people from landslides and other disasters. 

The following old verses refers more to the continental weather in January than icelandic:

If St. Pauls be fine and clear

it betides a happy year.

But if it changes to snow or rain,

dear will be all sorts of grain.

and this one:

If Pauls day is fine and clear,

For the farmers it bodes a peaceful year.

But should a fog be on the land,

Death it brings for beast and man

.