Traditions, Customs and Superstitions for March

1^st March:  St DavidÕs Day, patron saint of Wales

14^th March:  Mothering Sunday. This always falls on the 4^th Sunday of Lent

15^th March:  a festive day dedicated to the god Mars. Julius Ceaser was warned to ÔBeware the Ides of MarchÕ He chose to ignore this warning and was assassinated on the 15^th March

17^th March: St PatrickÕs Day, patron saint of Ireland

20^th March:  Spring equinox

21^st March:  Back Badge Day, The British ArmyÕs Gloustershire regiment wear a badge on the back of their caps as well as the front. This stems from this day in 1801 at the battle of Alexandria when the men were ordered to stand back to back until the last minute, then turn and fire at the enemy.

25^th March:  Lady Day, it is said that if Easter falls on Lady Day that a disaster is sure to follow

Some March sayings...

A saying that we often hear is that March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb! This is referring to the weather still being quite stormy at the beginning of March, but towards the end as we are leaving the winter months behind us the last days of March are likely to be much milder.

But if rain falls on the first 3 days of March it is unlucky for farmers as they will have poor harvests.

So many mists in March, so many frosts in May.

On the first of March crows begin to search. This comes from it being the time that crows would be mating.

As mad as a March hare. This is of course due to the breeding season. But I love this saying as the hares really do look mad – boxing and jumping about!