A rose of which the flower has any green sepals mixed with the red petals is called a "death rose," and is an omen of death to one of the family. The same omen is derived from a tree bearing ripe apples and blossoms at the same time.
The following are other death omens:—A white bird flying against or in front of a window; a cat dying in the house (1897); a bat flying against a window; a mole coming near a house; and rats nibbling furniture.
It is an extremely bad omen if a ringer "throws" a bell when ringing a wedding peal, or if a bell rope breaks.
If a bell is rung while the clock is striking you will shortly hear of a death.
A clock falling is a sign that the death of some one belonging to the family has taken place at the same moment.
If you drop a pair of scissors and they stand up on their double point, you will hear of a wedding, but, if only on one point, it is a sign of a death.
A humble bee flying towards the house is a sign of a stranger coming, or of a death.
A robin looking into a room causes good luck.
A cat scratching the leg of a table is a sign of rain, and, if she washes her face with her left paw over her left ear, it is a certain sign of snow.
A toad crossing the road is a sign of rain.
To kill a beetle will cause rain.[1]
If the crust of a boiled apple pudding breaks when being turned out of the basin, it is a sign of a wet week. (I think this applies especially to a Sunday pudding.)
"If the cock goes crowing to bed,
It's a sign he will rise with a watery head,"
i.e. that the next morning will be wet.
If the moon is either new or full on a Saturday it always brings bad weather, and often a flood.
"Saturday's new and Sunday's full,
Always brought rain and always wall."
- ↑ Cf. "Folk Lore in Hull," Notes and Queries, vol. vi. (1852), p. 311.
