November was the ninth month according to the old Latin calendar. It
was known as Wint Monat, or wind month, by the Saxons, as the stormy
weather then experienced prevented the Vikings putting to sea and
attacking their shores. It was sometimes called Blot Monat, or blood
month, as it was then customary to kill large numbers of cattle and
salt them for winter use.
November prophecies:
(a) If ducks do slide at Hollantide (Nov. 11th),
At Christmas they will swim.
If ducks do swim at Hollantide,
At Christmas they will slide.
(b) At St. Martin's Day (Nov. 11th),
Winter is on the way.
(c) Set trees at Allhallo'n-tide (Nov. 1st), and command them to
grow. Set them at Candlemas (Feb. 2nd) and beg them to
prosper.
(d) Where the wind is on Martinmas Eve, (Nov. 10th), there it will
be for the rest of the winter.
(e) If there be ice that will bear a duck before Martinmas (Nov. 11th),
there will be none that will bear a goose all the winter.
(f) Wind north-west at Martinmas (Nov. 11th), severe winter to
come.
(g) As at Catherine (Nov. 25th), foul or fair, so will be the next
February.