Notebook of Ghosts

Welcome to a new series: Indiana Folk Beliefs. For the next five weeks, I will be sharing a new theme each week. These will be short and sweet posts. You’ll notice some of these folk beliefs expand beyond the Hoosier state.

• If the moon changes in the morning, it will rain soon.
• To avoid manure remaining on top of the ground, it should be laid in the dark of the moon (not in the light of the moon).
• Plant vegetables in the light of the moon, particularly above-ground vegetables: lettuce, cabbage, beans, etc.
• If the new moon lies on its back, it means dry weather.
• If the moon is laying on its back, it’s full of water (Morgan County).
• A halo around the moon means it will rain soon (Morgan County).
• A circle around the moon means dry weather.
• A red moon is a sign of war.
• Move when the moon is new. In this market?
• Got dirt on your clothes? It’s harder to get out in the light of the moon.
• Corn grows faster in the light of the moon, rather than the dark.
• The full moon favors severe or killing frosts (diminishes after the full moon).
• Frost never kills fruit in the light of the moon.
• Bathe only in the dark of the moon.
• If you collect apples in the light of the moon, their bruises will dry up.
• Fish bite best in the dark of the moon.
• Make lye soap in the light of the moon.

Sources

Busse, Ora S. “Indiana Folk Beliefs, Omens, and Signs.” Hoosier Folklore, vol. 6, no. 1, 1947, pp. 14-26.

Halpert, Herbert & Paul G. Brewster. “Folk Beliefs and Practices from Southern Indiana.” Hoosier Folklore Bulletin, vol. 2, no. 2, 1943, pp. 23-38.

Report from Indiana Horticultural Society’s Annual Meeting

“Weather moon signs, Morgan County, Indiana.” Shadows of the Wabash- ISU Special Collections.