Heal's Hollow Studios

The woolly bears are on the march at this time of year.  Where are they going?  No one knows – it is a well-kept secret among their kind.  But they do signal something else when they show themselves.  At least according to folklore.  And as a Canadian, I pay attention. 

For those not in the know – here is a photo I took of the latest harbinger to enter the garden. 

Its beautiful furry coat of two colours shows velvety black and golden-brown in bands around its body.  And that is where the folklore comes into play.  The size of the bands are said to be indicators of the intensity of the coming winter.  The larger the golden-brown section – the milder the winter. 

As you can see the section is one third the length of the woolly bear – a portent of a nasty winter to come.  I have checked in with others in the region and found that mine had the most golden-brown.  Others are reporting, very small bands of the milder weather colour and one reported a solid black woolly bear. 

I have sketched my woolly bear photo and subconsciously must want better news as my version seems to have larger mild weather banding than the photo that was my inspiration. 

Perhaps I can manifest a milder winter with my interpretation as opposed to the harsh winter my visitor is foretelling.