The sunken valley from Rame Head to Looe

Towards Rame Head from Portwrinkle, part way to Looe.  © Copyright Trevor Rickard and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.

"From Rame-head to the two Looes very fertile valleys are stated to have extended at least a league southwards, over a tract now covered with sea; and around the coast in many places, we are assured, in twelve feet of water, trees are to be seen in the sea."

Hunt 1903

Map - Looe
Map - Rame Head

The Lost Land of Lyinesse, or Lethowsow - Part 1

The Scillonian ferry regularly crosses the waters above the legendary Lyonesse.  If you wish to use my photo please attribute this blog!

"THOSE who may stand on the extreme point of the Land's End, and, looking over that space where the waters of the Atlantic mix with those of the British Channel, see in the far distance the Scilly Islands, will have to call upon their imagination to conceive that these broad waters roll over a country which has existed within historic time.

A region of extreme fertility, we are told, once united the Scilly Islands with Western Cornwall. A people, known as the Silures, inhabited this tract,--which has been called the Lyonesse, or sometimes Lethowsow,--who were remarkable for their industry and their piety. No less than 140 churches stood over that region, which is now a waste of waters; and the rocks called the Seven Stones are said to mark the place of a large city. Even tradition is silent on the character of this great cataclysm. We have only one hint--and we know not its value--which appears to show that the deluge was comparatively gradual. One of the ancestors of the Trevilians is said to have had time to remove his family and his cattle; but at last he had to fly himself with all the speed which a fleet horse could give him. From this it might appear that, though gradual at first, the waters, having broken down the barriers, burst over the whole at last with uncontrolled fury. ... [cont.]"

Hunt 1903

Map - Land's End

Map - Isles of Scilly
Map - The Seven Stones

The Pipers Holes

Piper's Hole on Tresco, Isles of Scilly. Image © Copyright Richard Croft and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.

"On the banks of Peninnis, in St Mary's, is Piper's Hole, which communicates, as tradition saith, with the island of Tresco, where another orifice known by the same name is seen. Going in at the orifice at Peninnis Banks in St Mary's, it is above man's height, and of as much space in its breadth, but grows lower and narrower farther in a little beyond which entrance appear rocky basins, or reservoirs, continually running over with fresh water, descending as it distils from the sides of the rocky passage. By the fall of water heard further in, it is probable there may be rocky descents in the passage. The drippings from the sides have worn the passage, as far as it can be seen, into very various angular surfaces. Strange stories are related of this passage, of men going so far in that they never returned; of dogs going quite through, and coming out at Tresco, with most of their hair off; and such like incredibles. But its retired situation, where lovers retreat to indulge their mutual passion-, has made it almost as famous as the cave wherein Dido and Aeneas met of old. Its water is exceeding good.

[from] Heath's "Scilly Isles."  

These stories of Piper's Hole are still told, and many of the ignorant inhabitants regard it with superstitious dread. The Fugoe Hole, at the Land's End, has yet to be spoken of in the Witch stories. Several who have attempted to penetrate this hole have escaped only by great luck --" by the skin of their teeth," as the saying is."

Hunt 1903

 

 

Map - Pipers Hole on St Marys

Map - Pipers Hole on Tresco

[I cannot locate the Fugoe Hole]

True signs of rain from an old almanac - part 3

Morning mist over Chagford, Devon - If you wish to use my photos please attribute this blog

[cont.] "...The leech disturbed is newly risen,
Quite to the summit of his prison ;
The whirling winds the dust obeys,
And in the rapid eddies plays.

My dog, so altered is his taste,
Quits mutton bones, on grass to feast ;
And see yon rooks, how odd their flight,
They imitate the gliding kite,

Or seem precipitate to fall,
As if they felt the piercing ball.
'Twill surely rain ! I see with sorrow,
Our jaunt must be put off to-morrow.

From an Almanac published 1844.

Hewet 1900

Reading the weather in Devon from the movements of animals - Water Fowl

"The frequent dropping and diving of waterfowl foreshows that rain is at hand."

Hewett 1900

Reading the weather in Devon from the movements of animals - Heron/Bittern

"IF a heron or bittern flies low, the air is becoming charged with water vapour."

Hewett 1900

Westcountry / Devon weather lore - Wind Direction

After a south-west wind in 1990  in Bristol. This was our garden after the wind. Somone didnt shut the door to the washing-machine room properly!  I think this shows that  "South-west wind doth no harm" is not entirely true! - If you wish to use my photos please attribute this blog.

"Every wind hath its weather.

No weather is ill,

if the wind be still.

When the wind is in the north, hail comes forth,

When the wind is in the west, look for a wet blast ;

When the wind is in the south, the weather will be fresh and good,

When the wind is in the east, cold and snow comes most.

North wind brings hail,

South wind brings rain,

East winds we bewail.

West winds blow amain,

North-east wind is too cold,

South-east wind not too warm,

North-west wind is far too bold,

South-west wind doth no harm.

East wind and west the sign of blast, North and south the sign of drouth.

When the wind is in the east,

The fisherman likes it the least ;

When the wind is in the west,

The fisherman likes it the best.

A west wind north about,

Never long holds out.

When the wind is in the east,

It's neither good for man nor beast.

When the wind is in the west,

Then the weather's always best.

A western wind carries water in its hand.

A northern air brings weather fair.

When the wind is in the south,

'Tis in the rain's mouth.

The southern wind

Doth play the trumpet to his purposes

And, by his hollow whistling in the leaves

Foretells a tempest, and a blustering day.

Hewett 1900

Devon / Westcountry weather lore #15 May (part 2)

Pulmonaria (lungwort) photgraphed in Devon in May - This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported At the english wiki, it was uploaded by User:Sannse

[cont.]  "...The more thunder in May the less there will be in August and September.

By the first of May young crows will have flown away.

May, come she early, come she late,
Still she'll make the cow to quake.

A May flood never did good.

Shear sheep in May you'll shear them all away.

He who bathes in May, will soon be laid in clay.

A swarm of bees in May is worth a stack of hay.

In May the cuckoo sings all day.

Change not a clout till May be out.

Who doffs his coat on a Winter's day, will gladly put it on in May."

Hewett 1900

Water Dowsing in Tiverton, Plmpton, Plymouth, Chumleigh and in Cornwall

Dowsing, , from Pierre le Brun, Histoire critique des pratiques superstitieuses, (Jean-Frederic Bernard, 1733–1736)

"The Divining Rod is known also as the Dowsing Rod, Moses's Rod, and the Virgula. It is simply a twig of this form V, each limb being from ten inches to twelve inches long, cut from a cherry tree, hazel, or white thorn. The operators are named dowsers, diviners, water-witches, or water-finders. Great interest is attached to the rod, as used for the purpose of discovering subterranean water-springs and lodes of ore. Its mysterious properties have been exemplified in numberless instances. The satisfactory finding of water by its aid was recently shewn at Tiverton, Plympton, Plymouth, Chumleigh, and many other places, which caused much correspondence for and against the "art" in the Western Morning News and other west country newspapers. In Cornwall, too, the dowser has pointed out spots where valuable lodes of metals have been unearthed. One case in particular may be quoted at Great Briggan, when the late Captain Trelase was the diviner.

The modus operandi is very simple, The waterwitch holds the thin arms of the twig between his fingers and thumbs with the point projecting outwards, while he walks steadily over the suspected spring or lode. If there be water or mineral below, the hazel turns upwards with a sudden jerk, if there is neither, it remains passive. It is said that the operator experiences peculiar sensations in his limbs as the twig vibrates, and that his face assumes an agitated expression. All persons are not sympathetic and the twig lies inert in their hands, but with a born dowser the rod very soon puts on vitality, and frequently completes a circle breaking short off at the points. Hundreds of persons pooh-pooh the whole thing and condemn it as a trick, and are surprised that in these days of scientific attainments people should be found weak enough to pin their faith to the virtues of a twig. Despite opposition and ridicule the search for water by this means is popular throughout Devon and her sister-counties."

Hewett 1900

Map -Tiverton

Map - Plymouth

Map - Plympton

Map - Chumliegh/Chulmleigh

[Rather weirdly we did this at primary school with imaginary lines drawn by the children while another child waited outside - it worked. I have also done it for water and felt the weird sensation of it twisting (so hard I could not stop it). However I didn't then dig for the water to test its truth!. I did however triangulate a field of nettles looking for a lost pen-knife - and found it in the very center of the two foot wide triangle I ended up with. It is all very weird. No idea if it works with the subconscious recognition of signs or with some external physical force... My aunt has also used it successfully, and my wife has used another method, with two individual bent rods - I have also used this successfully, but it it not as fun because you cant feel the force through your hands!]

Devon charm for curing sciatica, or boneshave

Me dipping my wizened leg into a Dartmoor Stream on a hot day.  If you wish to use my photos please attribute this blog

"TAKE a pail of clean river water, dipped from the down-flowing stream, a pair of shears, a large key, and a new table knife. Dip the knife into the pail of water, draw it back upwards, downwards and across the hip three times each way. Then dip the key into the water and proceed as before. Then dip the shears into water, shear the hip as though it were covered with wool. Return the water left in the bucket to the river and sing

As this watter goeth to zay,
So flow boneshave away."

Hewett 1900

To insure good eyesight in Devon

Fennel on Slapton Sands - Gwen and James Anderson [CC-BY-SA-2.0 (www.creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

"Fennel, rose, vervain, celandine and rue,
Do water make which will the sight renew."

Hewett 1900

Devon charm to staunch blood

Blood cells.

"As Christ was born in Bethlehem and baptized in the river Jordan, He said to the water, "Be still.'' So shall thy blood cease to flow. In the name of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Amen."

Hewett 1900

Devon Dreams T-Z

Teeth.
To dream of, are the most unlucky of all things. If they fall out it signifies much sickness, if they all drop from the gums, death.

Ships.
Sailing in clear water are favourable omens, but if the water be murky, most unfavourable.

Silver Coins.
Picking them up, unless there be gold with them, is significant of impecuniosity.

Ugliness.
If you see yourself reflected as very ugly it is an omen of success.

Umbrellas.
If you lose them it signifies losses in business.

Valentine. 
Dreaming of receiving one is a bad sign, illness and trouble will soon be upon you.

Violin. 
If you are playing on one in your dream, it denotes speedy marriage ; unless a string breaks, then you will not marry at all.

Water. 
Dreaming of water, if it be clear will bring good news, if dirty, bad news is at hand.

Wedding.
One dreamed of signifies a funeral.

Yachting 
in clear water on a sunny day is prophetic of very great happiness.

Yew-trees.
You will hear of the death of an aged person in whom you have a vested interest.

Hewett 1900

Dream Oneiromancy in Devon

Dreaming of Beer... - If you wish to use  my photos please attribute this blog.

"Oneiromancy is the art of interpreting dreams. This kind of divination is still in use among the masses, and has been practised from the most remote ages. In rural districts there are to be found ancient dames whose interpretations of dreams are looked upon with reverence, and are a source of revenue to the old women.

At breakfast, it is not uncommon for members of of a family to narrate their dreams, and seek the elucidation thereof.

"A dream is an ill-arranged action of the thinking faculties during a state of partial sleep, and is but a momentary impression, perfectly natural in its operation; the state of mind which causes it being produced by temporary functional derangement."

If I dream of water pure,
Before the coming morn,
"Tis a sign I shall be poor,
And unto wealth not born.
If I dream of tasting beer,
Middling then will be my cheer
Chequered with the good and bad,
Sometimes joyful, sometimes sad ;
But should I dream of drinking wine,
Wealth and pleasure will be mine.
The stronger the drink, the better the cheer,
Dreams of my destiny appear.

The belief that dreams are indicative or symbolical of coming events is very common among the masses. Some persons look upon dreams as absolutely true mediums of revealing the secrets of futurity."

Hewett 1900

[In her frustrating style I am once again left not knowing what parts of Hewett's work reffer to Devon and what is to do with wider beleifs she picked up else where through books. However in this case I have included it all. Barring the rhyme (which may or may not have been used in Devon) the rest is generic enough to believe it covered Devon beliefs quite well.]

The strong willed wife

Horses at Wembury, Devon - Joan Vaughan [CC-BY-SA-2.0 (www.creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

"In Devon, when a. wife is of stronger will than her husband, the people say, "Aw ess, the grey mare in thickee 'ouze is the better 'oss," and ascribe her masterfulness to her having visited and drank of the water of the well of St. Keyne, in Cornwall."

Hewett 1900

Hewett's Haloween - Part 8 - Blind-mans prophosy

Not really this ceremony - but an approximation... - Blind Mans Bluff Game - 1751 - Jean-Honoré Fragonard

"Heedless of this affectionate raillery, everything drifted along smoothly, and four dishes of water were brought in and placed severally in three corners of the room, and the fourth, emptied of its contents, was placed in the fourth corner. Then four blind-folded operators were led into the room and placed back to back in its centre, the lights having been previously extinguished. Then all four fell on their knees and each crept at discretion to any, or all to the same, corner.
 

The empty dish portended celibacy or poverty. The dish of clean water, that the future one would never before have married. The dish of dirty water, that the future spouse would be a widow or widower. The dish of water with pebbles at the bottom, riches and honour."

Hewett 1900

Map - Haldon Hills 

Hewett's Haloween - Part 7 - Water letters love-charm

Zephyris at the English language Wikipedia [GFDL (www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html)], from Wikimedia Commons

"Next came Tom to try his hap with a pair of scissors. Tom in silence separated the capital letters, each falling into the basin of water without being touched by the hand. When all were free they were stirred and left to settle. The initials of the future one, were supposed to float on the water. Alas ! poor Tom ! in his case fifteen letters presented themselves. Here again was food for fun and conjecture. Many suggestions were made. Tom, perhaps was going to be a Mormon, or perhaps he was going abroad and set up a harem, and all sorts of other absurd theories. Mary at last came to the rescue, " Oh, I know," said she, " take G and M out and there you have Gertrude Morley, then tack all the rest on to the end of the name, and there you have certain degrees won by Gertrude at the 'Varsity. Gertrude is a Newnham student. Last autumn in the long vacation there was a young woman of that strain dodging across the hills, and on one occasion when she saw our Tom cantering towards her, her bike became fractious instanter, and poor innocent Tom had to dismount, tie Highflyer to a gate-post and assist the distressed biker. Of course, Tom couldn't help himself and had to lead Highflyer up the hill and push the bike too." Alas poor Tom ! Then turning to her mother she explained that Tom was about to present her with a new daughter in the form of a Newnham girl so vastly clever, that she used up all the alphabet to shew how clever she was and the heaps of degrees she took, &c., &c. " I say, Tom, do you think Gertrude Morley, B.A., M.D., M.G.L.Q.R., will like taking my place in the house work, and be able to cry chuggie, chuggie, chuggie, every morning to the dear little piggy-wiggies ; perhaps though, instead of giving them barley-meal and milk, she'll sit them all in a row, in the bottom of the trough, and teach 'em Latin and Greek don't-cher-know ; eh, Tom dear ?""

Hewett 1900

Map - Haldon Hills 

Hewett's Haloween - Part 6 - Lead love-charm

A lead droplet - Some rights reserved by Menage a Moi http://www.flickr.com/photos/bearpark/3156914401/sizes/z/in/photostream/

"Then everybody insisted on Jack trying his luck, which he essayed to do by melting a few scraps of lead in the ladle and pouring it red hot into one of the basins of cold water. The letters formed, or the nearest approach to letters, at the bottom of the basin were supposed to be the initials of the future " She." The closest resemblance to letters which we could discover was an I, and an L. The question which now arose amid merry peals of laughter was to whom the initials I.L. could belong. Many names were mentioned and negatived as soon as suggested, Jack looking rather bashful, when from Jenny came the query " Does not I stand for Ida, and L for Lang ? Ida Lang is a very pretty name, and is owned by a very sweet girl." 

Jack gave Jenny a look which could easily be interpreted "I owe you one for that, Jenny" "

Oh ! oh ! Jack," replied Jenny, " we are hoping that Ida Lang will not be an unappropriated blessing. She shall have my white satin and all the orange blossoms." There was a good deal more of this sort of chaff, but no offence was taken by the good-natured Jack, and things swung along amicably."

Hewett 1900

Map - Haldon Hills  
Map - Bristol

[I have some friends of English and German-Jewish descent in Bristol who do a version of this on New Years Eve, reading the future year from the shape of the lead. 

The caption for the above photo (not mine!) reads - My Future In The Palm of My Hand I spent a lovely New Year's Eve with friends. Superlekker and keroleen73 introduced the rest of us to Bleigießen - the German New Year's Eve custom of telling fortunes by the shapes made by molten lead dropped into cold water. I can't recall what mine meant but I loved the shape.]

Hewett's Haloween - Part 5 - Water and paper love-charm

"Then one took a handful of torn paper and scattered it on the surface of a big basin of water, and after stirring vigorously, awaited developments. The number of pieces of paper which fell to the bottom indicated the number of years which would intervene before the operator's marriage. In this case twenty-one fell, and as Jenny was now twenty-eight, Jack thought there was small chance for her to have an establishment of her own at forty-nine, so she had better resign herself to her fate, and be content to become the unappropriated blessing of the family, for, said he, " How could you, Jenny, at that advanced age, dare to don white satin and orange blossoms? No, my dear, your future is sealed.""

Hewett 1900

Map - Haldon Hills 

Hewett's Haloween - Part 3 - Hazelnut love prophosy

Hazelnuts - See page for author [GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html) or CC-BY-SA-3.0 (www.creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/)], via Wikimedia Commons

"Then Jack, otherwise the family clown, brought in dishes of apples and nuts, bags of hemp seed, torn paper, large basins of water, scraps of lead, a melting ladle, large combs, small hand mirrors, and a printed sheet of capital letters, all of which were to be used as love-charms.

Just as the clock began to strike eleven, a move was made towards the fireplace, where from the bars of the grate Jack had already swept every vestige of ashes. 

Simultaneously each girl laid a big hazel nut on the lowest bar of the grate, and sat silently watching the result. I noticed that perfect silence was religiously observed during each ceremony.

She, whose nut first blazed, would be the first to marry.

She, whose nut first cracked, would be jilted.

She, whose nut first jumped, would very soon start on a journey, but would never marry. 

She, whose nut smouldered, would have sickness, disappointment in love, and perhaps die young."

Hewett 1900

Map - Haldon Hills