Saint Swithun's Day

July 15.  Saint Swithun’s Day.  He’s not as well known as Saint Patrick or Saint Nicholas – but he is the patron saint of Winchester Cathedral.  He’s supposed to be a guy that you pray to in the event of a drought.  Legend has it that if it rains on Saint Swithun’s Day, it will rain for 40 days more.  There is even a poem about it:

St Swithun's day if thou dost rain

For forty days it will remain

St Swithun's day if thou be fair

For forty days 'twill rain nae mare

I’m not one to be terribly superstitious and I also don’t really bank on the weather people to get the forecast right either.  I still say the best forecasting tool is a window.  Look out and see what is happening.  Frodo and I can forecast weather.  If the door opens and we won’t go out, it’s raining.

Despite my pragmatic approach to the weather, I’m a BIT concerned as there IS rain forecast for today.  Who is the patron saint you pray to, to stop raining or flooding?  Hmmmmmm…..Wait.  I found one.  Saint Florian – he’s a patron saint of Poland.  My kind of guy.  He can be prayed to against flooding.  He’s also a patron saint of brewers.  He’s getting better all the time.

Saint Honoratus of Arles can be prayed to "for rain" and "against rain".  Too wishy washy for me. 

I’ll go with the Saint Swithun’s forecast if it is good, and if not, I’ll get Saint Florian on the line.  Like a good politician, I’ll hedge my bets.

Happy Saint Swithun’s day.  May your forecast be good!

©  Linda Wozniak