2d (edited) • 📝 General discussion
🗓️ In like a lion, out like a lamb. MARCH 1st
Here's some background (compliments of Gemini) of this saying. Weather here is quite nice (Az).
🦁 In Like a Lion: Folklore or Physics? 🐑
Happy March 1st! As we kick off the month, you’ve likely heard the old adage: "If March comes in like a lion, it will go out like a lamb." As a researcher, I dug into the "why" behind this phrase, and it’s a fascinating mix of 17th-century observation and celestial timing.
The Historical Roots
The earliest printed version of this proverb appears in Thomas Fuller’s Gnomologia (1732), but the sentiment dates back even further. It wasn't just about the wind; it was about survival. For early agricultural societies, a "lion-like" start (harsh, freezing weather) was actually seen as a good omen. If winter "spent itself" early, it paved the way for a gentle, "lamb-like" spring just in time for planting.
The Astronomical Twist
Some historians believe the phrase is actually a reference to the stars, not the clouds:
* The Lion: At the start of March, the constellation Leo (the Lion) is rising in the east at sunset.
* The Lamb: By the end of the month, the constellation Aries (the Ram/Lamb) is setting in the west.
Is it Accurate?
Statistically? Rarely. Weather patterns don't actually follow a "balancing" rule. In fact, a stormy start to March often predicts a volatile month as the jet stream shifts. But as a piece of cultural heritage, it serves as a great reminder of our ancestors' attempt to find rhythm in the chaos of the changing seasons.
> Fun Fact: An older, slightly more cynical version of the proverb says: "March comes in with an adder's head and goes out with a peacock's tail."
🦫 On a side note, didn't Punxsutawney Phil see his shadow this year?
2
4 comments
🗓️ In like a lion, out like a lamb. MARCH 1st
powered by
skool.com/whats-up-boomer-8302
What’s Up Boomer: an old skool community sharing stories and lessons on retirement, legacy, and finding meaning in life after 60
Suggested communities
Powered by