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Per la Santa Candelora se nevica o se gragnola
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Many Italian proverbs, especially regarding the weather, are associated with this day.
One of the most popular sayings is, “Per la Santa Candelora se nevica o se gragnola, dell’inverno siamo fora, ma se è sole o solicello, siamo sempre a mezzo inverno”
For the Holy Candelora, it it snows or if it rains, we are through with winter, but if there is sunshine or even just a little sun, we are still in the middle of winter’.
In English-speaking countries, where the feast of Candelora is known as Candlemas Day (or Candle Mass), the saying is similar to the Italian: If Candlemas day be sunny and bright, winter will have another flight, if Candlemas day be cloudy with rain*, winter is gone and won’t come again.
Traditionally the Western term “Candlemas” (or Candle Mass) referred to the practice whereby a priest on 2 February blessed beeswax candles with an aspergilium for use throughout the year, some of which were distributed to the faithful for use in the home.
So what is the connection between these symbolic religious celebrations and the weather?
The answer is – Astronomy.
The transition point between seasons. February 2 is a cross-quarter day, halfway between the winter solstice and the spring equinox.
For millennia, people in the Northern Hemisphere have noted that if the sun comes out at the mid-way point between winter and spring, winter weather would continue for another six weeks.
As one might imagine, for humans living a subsistence existence the difference was an important one, with implications for survival as well as hunting and crops.
It is not surprising that rituals and celebrations were linked to it. source Wikipedia and The Florentine
*today it rained non stop ALL day.
«Per la santa Candelora
se nevica o se plora
dell’inverno siamo fora;
ma se l’è sole o solicello
siamo sempre a mezzo inverno»
Click on the link below to hear Natale Bertolini recite the Candelora poem (in Italiano)
(c) RIPRODUZIONE RISERVATA
barganews
8:53 am
Imbolc was believed to be when the Cailleach—the divine hag of Gaelic tradition—gathers her firewood for the rest of the winter. Legend has it that if she wishes to make the winter last a good while longer, she will make sure the weather on Imbolc is bright and sunny, so she can gather plenty of firewood. Therefore, people would be relieved if Imbolc is a day of foul weather, as it means the Cailleach is asleep and winter is almost over.[23] At Imbolc on the Isle of Man, where she is known as Caillagh ny Groamagh, the Cailleach is said to take the form of a gigantic bird carrying sticks in her beak.[23]In County Kerry, men in white robes went from house-to-house singing source