There was a time when people didn’t need to check the forecast to know a change was coming. You could feel it in the air. Mornings smelled different. Evenings went quiet earlier. The sky had a look that told you something was on the way. Most people learned those signs without realizing it. From watching

Quick Reference Cows lying down: when most of the herd is on the ground at once, expect rain in the next 12 to 24 hours. Cows seek dry ground ahead of damp weather. Ring around the moon: a halo means high-altitude ice crystals in cirrostratus clouds, often a 12 to 48 hour storm warning. Birds

By Verbalist Richard Lederer | From the 2010 Edtion of Farmers’ Almanac The poet Carl Sandburg wrote, “The fog comes in on little cat feet.” So does a large litter of our words and expressions. Whatever their ups and downs throughout history, cats have usually landed on their feet and have left their paw prints

The Best Weekend-Only Wedding Dates in 2026 A Guide to Love, Luck, and Lunar Timing Choosing your wedding date isn’t just about venue availability — for many couples, it’s also about energy, symbolism, and setting the tone for a lifelong partnership. In 2026, the calendar offers beautiful weekend dates that align with moon phases, astrology,

The holidays are a time of nostalgia and connection, when we crave the simplicity of the “good old days” and the happy memories they evoke. Every year can be a struggle, however, with ever-increasing commercialism driven by entertainment and social media. Looking beyond the latest gadgets, mass-produced decorations, and gift trends can help us create

Quick Reference The rule: split a ripe persimmon seed in half. The white shape inside is one of three: a fork (mild winter), a spoon (heavy snow), or a knife (cold and icy). Origin: Appalachian and Southern U.S. folk tradition, recorded since at least the early 1800s. Specific to American persimmon (Diospyros virginiana), not Asian

In the heat of summer, brilliant blooms of larkspur color the landscape across the northern hemisphere. As the traditional July month birth flower, larkspur is synonymous with summer, but it also has surprisingly rich folklore and symbolism that make it meaningful and far more than just a pretty flower. Along with the alternative July birth

Need good luck? We explain where this quirky tradition and superstition came from.

Religions and cultures across the globe and through the ages have suggested the idea that those who pass on to the other side remain with us, unseen, to watch over and guide us. While the specifics may vary, this belief is so common its practically universal. Many people still believe that, if we know how

Quick Reference Why a rooster: the rooster became the symbol of St. Peter after the Last Supper passage in which he denied Jesus three times before the cock crowed. Who put it there: Pope Gregory I called the rooster “the most suitable symbol for Christianity” between 590 and 604 AD. Pope Nicholas made it official