Page:Shetland Folk-Lore - Spence - 1899.pdf/123

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Shetland Folk-Lore

in summer eestik heads, were looked upon with ill favour, as they were sure either “ta rain aff or blaw aff.” The merry dancers (aurora) extending to the zenith and unusually quick in their movements were considered an ill omen, but when they quietly displayed themselves in a graceful arch along the northern horizon the fishermen expected fair weather. The “carry” or motion of the clouds, with relation to the direction of the wind, was of special interest.

There was a notion that certain days of the week had to do with the weather. For example, a change for the better on Sunday was considered a favourable omen, but a bright Monday betokened a dark week. Wednesday's weather was true, and Friday was supposed to be either the best or the worst day in all the week.

There were certain times of the season when storms were specially expected. These were called Rees. There was

Buggle Ree, about the 17th of March

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