Moles, which appear on the bodies of most persons in various locations, have always been mysteriously connected with the fate of the individual concerned. Just how this belief originated it is hard to tell, but the fundamental idea is that moles are placed upon the body to foretell an event or decide the characteristics of a person.

In some countries moles are regarded with reverence, and the hair which grows in tufts from the moles is never pulled out or shaved. In Latin countries it is a common sight to see men with clean-shaven faces but with a mole on cheek or chin from which the hair is allowed to grow quite long.

Authorities differ as to the significance of moles and give different interpretations to them. The following may be taken as the most accepted view:


WEATHER PROPHECIES FROM AN OLD ALMANAC

1. Chances of the Coming Year.—If the night of January 1 should be fine and calm, without rain or wind, it signifies a good year and abundance of everything. If the wind is in the east, there will be mortality of cattle; if in the west, there will be grave trouble, wars and dissensions among nations; if in the south, there will be some mortality among human beings; if in the north, there is the likelihood of barrenness in all harvests.

2. The Year’s Chances.—When Christmas Day falls during the moon’s increase, the year will be very good, and the nearer that it is to the new moon the better it will be. But if it falls during the waning moon, there will be a hard year, and the nearer that it is to the decrescence the worse it will be.

3. Signs of the Sun.—If it be red in the morning, there will be rain in the evening; if it be red in the evening, a fine morning will follow. Fine weather must not be expected when the sun rises with long beams of light shooting over devolving clouds. Should the luminary look small and round like a ball this denotes rain or tempest. Rain and thunder are signified when the sun grows dark and obscure in the daytime. A bad day will follow when it sets enveloped in black cloud.