December: Embracing Advent, Thomas Winter, and the Christmas Thaw

Old Sayings and Weather Forecasts from Folklore

Here at Which Way From Boredom, we have a special fondness for December: it marks the start of Advent and Christmas, the conclusion of the year, New Year’s Eve, and the time to make resolutions for the New Year. While you might have to wait until January to experience the colder, frostier winter adventures, December certainly gives us some chilly moments. It’s approaching quickly. On December 1st, during the Feast of Ivy (which used to be called the Feast of Sts. Eligius and Edmund Campion), we find prophecies that speak of frost and biting winds:

• • If frost falls on December 1st, many wells will run dry.

• • On St. Eligius, winter is expected to last four Sundays.

• • When it comes to St. Edmund Campion, icy winds descend from the hills.

• • If St. Eligius experiences a tough winter, expect it to last for four Sundays.

St. Barbara and St. Nicholas

The Feast of St. Barbara occurs on December 4th and is linked to various folk traditions, as well as prophecies and sayings. We previously learned about her, the protector of miners, farmers, architects, cooks, butchers, gunners, captives, and those nearing death, during the November prophecies alongside Catherine. For instance, there is a saying: If it freezes on Catherine, it rains on Barbara, or St. Catherine washes the clothes while Barbara stiffens them. Additionally, St. Barbara, known as a shield against storms, fevers, and plagues, brings a wealth of her own prophecies:

• • Barbara brings ice, leading to a muddy Christmas.

• • The weather seen on St. Barbara’s Day remains until Christmas.

• • On St. Barbara’s Day, if there is much rhizome on the trees, there will be an abundance of fruit next year.

• • If snow covers the borders on St. Barbara’s Day, there will be plenty of grass.

• • When Barbara is angry, St. Stephen walks on ice.

• • St. Barbara is getting the sleigh ready for the yard.

Additionally, the famous St. Nicholas is connected to many forecasts:

• • If it rains on St. Nicholas Day, the cold makes people quite irritable.

• • On St. Nicholas’ Day, often the snowman powder is spread.

• • If rain or snow falls on St. Nicholas Day, plenty of peas will grow the following year.

• • A green Nicholas means a white January.

Saint Lucia and the Winter Solstice

Everyone knows the saying about St. Luciawho absorbs the night yet does not add to the day. This saying originates from the Middle Ages when people followed the Julian calendar, placing the winter solstice on December 13. However, in the 16th century, the more precise Gregorian calendar was adopted, moving the solstice to around December 21. The period of longest nights in prophecies is referred to as Thomas Winter. This season lasts roughly from December 8 to December 21 (previously St. Thomas’s Day) and showcases true winter weather with snow and frequent frosts.

• • On St. Thomas, we experience our longest night.

• • On St. Thomas, winter will burst forth.

• • Around St. Thomas, the Melusine specter is said to wander.

Dreaming of a White Christmas and the Thaw After

We often picture a perfect Christmas reminiscent of the artwork by Josef Lada. However, most of the time, we end up awaiting a White Christmas in vain; the chances of having snow on Christmas are low, reported to be around 20%. Why do Christmases in Central Europe often end up muddy? This is due to the so-called Christmas or pre-Christmas thaw, a warm ocean current from the southwest that’s common in this region, typically occurring from December 23 to January 1. This event has a high likelihood of about 70%, which is significant enough to be found in old prophecies. For example, the saying Expect a thunderstorm for Adam and Eve traces back to the 17th century, showing that even in ancient times, our ancestors found snow at Christmas to be quite rare.
What observations did our ancestors make on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and St. Stephen’s Day?

• • The twelve nights and days from Christmas Eve to Three Kings Day supposedly forecast the weather for the next twelve months.

• • A clear night on Christmas Eve is said to bring creeping frosts.

• • On Christmas Eve, when the stars shine bright, the hens will lay eggs.

• • If someone uses a sleigh during Christmas, it suggests a good grain harvest ahead.

• • If the willows are covered in icicles by Christmas, they will be full of cats by Easter.

• • A shaky Christmas is better than a dreary one.

• • When Barbara is displeased, St. Stephen will walk across the ice.

Naturally, they didn’t overlook the last day of the year, New Year’s Eve. It is often said that if the whole year has been full of water and mud, thinking about gold on New Year’s Eve is not advisable.