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With
Fall in full swing and Winter approaching people are curious about
what Mother nature has in store. If the Doppler radar bores you or
if you enjoy a bit of folklore, there are other ways to predict the
weather.
Persimmon trees grow throughout Texas
and the U.S. Persimmons are small fruit trees that rarely grow as
high as 40 feet. The dark wood of the tree and edible fruit have been
used for centuries. The trees are very hardy and will grow in almost
any climate, from sub-tropical to very cold.
Folklore reveals that superstitions about cutting persimmon trees
may help cure warts, cancer and even predict weather, even Texas weather.
According to old-timers, persimmon seeds can be used to predict the
severity of upcoming winter weather. A persimmon seed when cut in
two pieces, split along its natural seam, will display one of three
symbols; a knife, a spoon, or a fork. |
Psychic Persimmon
Photo courtesy Dana Goolsby, November 2010 |
If a knife shape
is revealed within the seed the approaching winter is believed to
be cold and icy. The anticipated cold wintry weather is believed to
“cut through you like a knife,” as some might say. If a split persimmon
seed reveals a spoon the area is believed to be expecting wet conditions,
snow, and lots of it. The spoon is suggestive of a shovel that can
be used to dig out of the snow. If a persimmon seed reveals a fork
the legend indicates the approaching Winter will be mild, and could
perhaps be accompanied by a light feathery snow.
The 2010 Farmer’s Almanac gave its persimmon report from N.C. in late
September. The N.C. seed reveled a spoon. |
Persimmons
Photo courtesy Dana Goolsby, November 2010 |
Elana Goolsby
has a large persimmon tree in her pasture. She does not harvest the
fruit, nor does she pay it much mind. She commonly forget the tree
is there until someone who passes by about sunrise in the late fall
calls to inform her that a large buck is feeding on the persimmons.
The Messenger harvested multiple persimmons from Goolsby’s tree in
order to take a peak at what winter weather may be in store. It is
said that the seed outcome varies depending on the region from which
the fruit is harvested.
Five seeds were split and observed. Each seed revealed a spoon. According
to legendary folklore and Goolsby’s persimmon seeds East
Texas can anticipate more of the flaky white stuff, and we aren’t
talking about dandruff. |
Persimmons
Photo courtesy Dana Goolsby, November 2010 |
Persimmon fruit
was once a much sought after delicacy used for breads and puddings
by our nation’s forefathers and Native American Indians. Now persimmons
are more of a curiosity and a nuisance.
The ability of this seed to predict winter weather is one way to for
us to reconnect to the foods of our past. “Weatherlore,” like that
of folklore, has been handed down from one generation to another.
“Lore” predictions for winter weather seem as popular today as they
were years ago.
Other
“Weatherlore” suggest winter will be colder if heavy crops of berries
are found on holly and dogwood trees, rolling thunder is heard echoing
in the late fall, trees shed their leaves before their color change
is complete, and if chimney smoke flows toward the ground.
Still others derive their prediction from the forest animals of East
Texas. It is said that if squirrels build their nests low and
gather food early, ants build their mounds abnormally high, or if
birds are seen migrating early or huddling on the ground one should
anticipate a harsh winter. Some also believe that if a turkey breast
bone, cooked in the fall, turns purple or dark blue the winter will
be more severe than usual.
Wintry folklore weather predictions vary, but it appears the most
popular, regardless of where people live in the U.S., revolves around
the Banded Woolly Worm. Often called a woolly bear or fuzzy bear,
the woolly bear caterpillar, which is the larval stage of an Isabella
Tiger Moth, is supposed to forecast a mild winter if its middle band
of reddish brown is wider than the two end bands of black, and a hard
winter if it is narrower.
Weather information is provided by the National Weather Service, Regional
Weather Centers, and Local News Stations. Citizens are fortunate to
have these sources for weather information, and should rely on the
accurate and timely information these sources provide.
Nevertheless, folks have been making weather predictions long before
weather specialists and the sophisticated equipment they utilize came
into play. Years ago, and for many years, people relied on signs from
nature to guide them and predict upcoming weather.
© Dana Goolsby
"They
shoe horses, don't they?" Guest
Column, November 19, 2010
Published in The Grapeland Messenger |
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