Wondering about what this winter will be like? Many people believe that certain natural events are an indicator of whether the winter will be short and mild, or harsh and long. The behavior of animals and plants has been observed in the past, and it has been found that some of these natural events have indeed predicted what the coming winter will be like.
Although weather forecasts can be monitored with the latest technology, there is no meteorologist who can tell you a few weeks or months in advance what winter to expect. That is why it is suggested to watch the inconspicuous signals of nature that speak to us.
In this article, we will look at several indicators from the realm of plants and animals that predict a harsh winter.
#1 Mushroom harvest
Did you notice an unusually large harvest of mushrooms in August? According to old superstitions, this foreshadows a very harsh winter. And even though you are not a fan of mushroom picking, unusually large mushroom harvests are often the main subject in newspapers, television, or you can find out about it from acquaintances.
#2 Falling leaves
Another way to estimate whether the winter will be harsh is to look at the leaves of the tree. The later the leaves fall from the tree (i.e. the longer they stay on the tree), the harsher the winter. It is not known why the tree tries to keep its leaves as long as possible, but it is one of the best-known indicators that our ancestors have followed.
#3 Increased appetite of cats and rabbits
If cats or rabbits overeat (i.e. they eat much more than usual), especially during the month of November, it means that it will be a harsh winter. It is believed that animals eat more in order to have a larger fat supply, however, the unanswered question remains why only cats and rabbits are taken into account when it comes to predicting winter.
See also: Famous superstitions about black cats
#4 Onion peel
This superstition is very old and is known in many European countries, including England, where it is said to come from. It is believed that the more peel the onion, the harsher the winter will be. Like animals that protect themselves against winter with more fat and fur, onions are protected by more layers of the peel.
Some legends even claim that the number of layers of skin on the onion can be used to estimate the length of the cold months. If the onion has, for example, three layers of peel, the harsh winter could last three months.
#5 Anthill
Do you like insects or ants in particular? Then pay attention to the anthills during the summer. The higher the anthill, the harsher the winter. The reason for this superstition is not known, but moles, who start digging high molehills before the harsh winter, do something similar. Even in this case, the higher the molehill, the harsher the winter.
#6 August storms and fogs
This superstition is rather well known in countries where storms do not occur very often. It is believed that if the storm occurs at least five times during August, the winter will be very harsh. In other countries, it is believed that the fog in August predicts a harsh and long winter. In a warm summer month, such as August, it is relatively easy to notice the fog because it is something very unusual, so you certainly won’t miss this sign!
#7 Spiderwebs
If a spider weaves unusually large spiderwebs or even two spiderbwebs on top of each other in your house, you can expect a harsh winter. In folklore, this is one of the most famous things that predicts a harsh winter.
#8 Abundance of acorns
Have you seen unusually many acorns on a walk in nature? This predicts a long and harsh winter. And so it is with beech fruits. A large number of acorns rather predicts how harsh the winter will be, while the beech fruits tend to predict how long the winter will last.
#9 Snowy owl
The snowy owl is difficult to see in winter because it blends in with the snow due to its color. However, the early arrival of this beautiful bird means only one thing: it will be a harsh winter.
#10 Ducks and geese
While the snowy owl brings the news of the harsh winter with its early arrival, the geese and ducks bring this message with their early departure.
#11 Aggressive mice
Even this little creature can indicate the arrival of a harsh winter. Most often, it manifests itself by trying to get into your house aggressively before the harsh winter. They may try to bite a hole in a wooden door or window, or, for example, enlarge a hole in the attic through which your television or Internet cables pass. It seems as if the mice sensed the coming of the harsh winter and tried to find their warm nest as quickly as possible.
Nature speaks to us
Mother Nature often speaks to us, gives us information or warnings. While some signs are subtle and not that significant, some should not be overlooked. Nature is speaking..are you listening?
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