Folk-Lore
These terrestrial tokens were only secondary. The signs in the heavens above were the special study of the old hafman. On these he directed his anxious gaze as he plied the toilsome oar or hauled the fishing line. Halos round the sun or moon (called sun or moon brochs) were unwelcome sights, and were anxiously watched to see whether the sun did not “shine them out.” It was observed that—
“When the sun sets in a broch,
He'll rise in a slauch;
But if the broch dees awa
E'er he sets i' da sea,
He'll rise i' da moarnin'
Wi' a clear e'e.”
That is, if the halo disappears before sunset, the sun is likely to rise in a clear sky, and the following day will be fair. Brynics (what appears to be the end of a rainbow) seen on the horizon forbodes squally weather. Large masses of white clouds, called in winter snaaie heads and
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