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
.
My name is Sigrun Guttormsdóttir Þormar. I live inBorgarfjord west Iceland, where I work as a project leader at the cultural medieval center Snorrastofa in Reykholt. For those that don't know, Reykholt was the home of Snorri Sturluson, medieval writer and poet whom lived in Reykholt from 1206 to 1241. He was the author of the Edda, Heimskringla (History of the kings of Norway) and Egils Saga Skallagrimsson. For me Snorri is the most amazing employer whom I proudly serve and constantly present in my every day life! He is absolutely still going strong at 835 years of age. Please come and visit us at www.snorrastofa.is. We are open all weekdays during the winter and all days during summer. We have an exhibition about Snorri Sturluson and offer lectures for groups. Hope to see you soon :)
