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Post by 4pygmies on Feb 15, 2007 17:56:46 GMT 1
Some handy hints and tips from my Almanac for February: the month of purification, the Roman feast was called Februa. In welsh: Chwefror. In gaelic: Foailleach - the month of the ravaging wolves. In anglo saxon: Solmonath - the month of cakes., offerings to the Gods
Alder leaves gathered while the morning dew is on them and brought into a chamber troubled with fleas, will gather them thereunto: which suddenly being cast out, will rid the chamber of these troublesome bedfellows.
In February, in the New of the Moon, sow Borage,Coriander, Marjoram, radish, Rosemary and Sorrel.
To drive away rodents. If the brains of a weasel be sprinkled upon cheese or any other meat whereof Mice and Rats resort, they not only forbear to eat thereof but also to come nigh that place again.
Anybody got any weasel brains??
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Post by plocket on Feb 15, 2007 19:47:44 GMT 1
Hang on a mo I might have a couple at the back of the fridge..... ;D
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Post by cheerypeabrain on Feb 21, 2007 16:55:14 GMT 1
oooh WHY did we stop using words like 'thereunto'
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Post by plocket on Feb 21, 2007 17:21:30 GMT 1
You got me there Cheery - I've got absolutely no idea ;D
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Post by sweetleaf on Feb 21, 2007 17:24:06 GMT 1
I think words like that are still used in legal documents, and charged at a tenner a piece, thereunder heretofore, thereunto, etc!
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Post by 4pygmies on Feb 21, 2007 17:50:46 GMT 1
Methinks thou is sadly mistaken. Here in bonnie Norfolk they useth such graceful words often to my great delight. Also a particular anglo saxon verb is useth with irksome freedom which breedeth ill humour and loathsome fighting in yon public inns. Tis great shame but tis true.
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Post by cheerypeabrain on Feb 21, 2007 20:03:28 GMT 1
Yea verrily I say unto thee... HERE! did any of you do Chaucer at skewel?...they kneweth how to spake in yonder tymes...only thing I can remember is the Nun's 'Hippes larges' an affliction I share...... :  ...and what about pig-latin......? |
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Post by plocket on Feb 22, 2007 9:24:44 GMT 1
Did Chaucer then did my utmost to forget about it I'm afraid ;D
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Post by 4pygmies on Feb 23, 2007 21:07:19 GMT 1
From my Almanac in March: The month of new life named after the Mars the Roman god of war. In welsh: Mawrth. In gaelic: Mart or Earrach geamraidh - the winter spring. In Anglo Saxon: Hrethamonath - the month of the goddess Hretha
Mad March Hares - the most mysterious and sacred of British animals - are now performing their rituals. Hares acting oddly may well be shape shifting witches or "were-hares", and as such can only be killed witha silver bullet, or by placing rowan or vervain behind the gun stock.
Dancing, or saltation, is both a pleasant and a profitable art, which confers and preserves health: it is proper to youth, agreeable to the old, and suitable for all, provided fitness of time and place are observed...And it is a useful device for ascertaining whether a person be deformed by gout...or if they emit an umpleasant odour, as of bad meat.
They hold opinions in England, that if they meet with a weasel in the morning, that they shall not speed well that day. There is nothing in this beast more strange than their conception and generation: for weasels do not couple in their hinder parts, but at their ears, and bring forth their young at their mouths.
They don't like weasels do they? I do.
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Post by sweetleaf on Feb 23, 2007 21:13:39 GMT 1
What made them think the weasel did such strange things? Love the dancing test for gout. The were- hares are remeniscent of granny Weatherwaxs borrowing expeditions and the little card she held saying" I atent dead!"  |
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Post by 4pygmies on Feb 23, 2007 21:17:26 GMT 1
They were very strange in the olden days methinks. All that funny beer brewed from dead bats etc.... I love weasels. I occasionally see one on the way to work - they're gorgeous little things.
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Post by cheerypeabrain on Feb 24, 2007 11:53:42 GMT 1
Cheerie Peabrane fayeth, greetingf unto yon tillerf of the foil.
When nadgering withe your hoe, ware the mad ftrange wereflug
that haft affinity unto your feedlingf.
The flug will confume all the flowerf and veggief if not purged.
Yea the nemaflug potion may deny life unto this flimy foe. ;D
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Post by 4pygmies on Feb 24, 2007 11:56:04 GMT 1
Thankf beft friend - af wife af ever. Happy nadgering - I'm off to the picturef XX
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Post by plocket on Feb 24, 2007 20:17:27 GMT 1
I'd love to see a hare boxing. We've sponsored a hare through the Staffs. Wildlife Trust this year but how they tell which one is ours is anyone's guess ;D
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Post by 4pygmies on Feb 24, 2007 23:22:04 GMT 1
Coincidentally I saw some beeeeautiful hand made clay statues of hares in a shop window today - I helpfully pointed them out to eldest and said what a nice BD present they'd be for me next winter. She said they were too much. Humph. Ooh, they were really gorgeous.
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Post by sweetleaf on Feb 25, 2007 3:22:07 GMT 1
You never know, she might sneak back and get one yet.... |
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Post by plocket on Feb 25, 2007 10:53:24 GMT 1
I hope she takes the hint 4P!
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Post by cheerypeabrain on Feb 25, 2007 11:03:21 GMT 1
Don't risk disappointment my dear...nip back and buy yourself one. It is a sad reality that MOST families see wives/mothers as the provider rather than the recipient of cool gifts. Ask yourself how much you like it...and if the answer's 'Well quite a lot actually!' then buy the bleeding thing before somebody else does! Blimey, you work REALLY hard and don't buy owt for yourself....whilst SOME people have no qualms about spending a fortune up the pub...hmph. Buy it.
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Post by sweetleaf on Feb 25, 2007 12:39:12 GMT 1
If you dont get one on mothers day, buy yourself one and tell them why you deserve it!
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Post by 4pygmies on Mar 31, 2007 18:14:14 GMT 1
From my almanc in April:
The Spring Cuckoo's month. The Roman Aperilis, to open or display. In Welsh: Ebrill. In Gaelic: Ceitein na h - oinsich - the cuckoo's month, the fool's May. In Anglo Saxon: Eostramonarth, the month of the Dawn Goddess Eostra.
Plant your taters when you will.
They won't come up until April.
The prepared roots of Potatoes of Virginia stop fluxes of the bowel, nourish much and restore Pining consumptions, and they increase seed and provoke lust causing fruitfulness in both sexes.
For the green sickness or for a love sick maid. Take earthworms, open them, wash them clean, dry them in an oven and beat them to powder. Give thereoftwo spoonfuls in white wine in the morning.
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Post by The witch on Apr 3, 2007 7:23:46 GMT 1
The prepared roots of Potatoes f Virginiastop fluxes of the bowel, nourish much and restore Pining consumptions, and they increase seed and provoke lust causing fruitfulness in both sexes. Cheaper than oysters then  For the green sickness or for a love sick maid. Take earthworms, open them, wash them clean, dry them in an oven and beat them to powder. Give thereoftwo spoonfuls in white wine in the morning.  |
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Post by 4pygmies on Apr 3, 2007 7:29:47 GMT 1
I know! Sometimes I'm glad I was born in the 20th century and not 200 years ago........
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Post by 4pygmies on Apr 30, 2007 12:55:18 GMT 1
MAY - probably named after Maia, a Roman goddess of growth and increase. In Welsh: Mai. In Gaelic: Mios bochuin. In Anglo Saxon: Thrimilci, the dairy month.
May Day: Beltane, the Celtic festival of Summer's beginning.
Cow's milk is not good for them which have gurgulations in the belly but is very good for melancholy men and for old men and children.
In May be no sluggard, for the bed is unwholesome. Clarified whey this month be the sovereign drink and sage is an excellent breakfast. Young lettuce is an approved salad but the entrails or offal of beasts should by all means be refused.
The slimy substance of the Comfrey root made in a posset of ale and given to drink against the pain in the back, gotten by any violent motion (as of wrestling or the overmuch use of women) doth perfectly cure the same, although the involuntary flowing of the seed in men be gotten thereby.
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Post by sweetleaf on Apr 30, 2007 13:30:12 GMT 1
Brilliant especially the last quote which I have seen before but obviously it seems, not in its entirety  |
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Post by 4pygmies on Apr 30, 2007 14:02:21 GMT 1
Bleah - gone off Comfrey a bit now.... |
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