March is a month of restless magic, a time when winter and spring wrestle for control, and the air hums with unseen energy. It is a season of shifting fates, when the winds whisper secrets and the earth awakens beneath a sky that cannot decide if it will rain, snow, or blaze with sunlight. And, like all times of transition, it is a month steeped in superstition.
Throughout history, March has been both feared and revered, a liminal space where the boundaries between old and new blur. Farmers, seers, and travellers alike have watched this month with caution, crafting rituals to protect against misfortune and omens that predict the future. Let us step into the folklore of March and explore the myths that linger in its changing winds.
The Ides of March: A Warning from the Past
Perhaps the most famous superstition of March is the Ides of March, a date etched into history by the betrayal of Julius Caesar. The 15th of March was once a day of celebration in the Roman calendar, marking the settling of debts and the turning of the season. Yet, thanks to Shakespeare and an ominous prophecy, it has become a day of foreboding.
According to legend, a soothsayer warned Caesar to “Beware the Ides of March,” yet he ignored the warning and met his bloody fate at the hands of conspirators. Ever since, the Ides has been associated with betrayal, unexpected misfortune, and the eerie sense that fate has sharpened its blade.
Superstition: In some parts of Europe, people avoid making major decisions or signing contracts on the Ides, fearing that anything begun on this day will end in disaster.
March Winds: Whispers of Fate
“The winds of March bring change,” so the saying goes. But change is not always welcomed. In folklore, the blustery gales of March are more than just unpredictable weather—they are messengers of fate, carrying warnings, spirits, and omens to those who listen.
- In British and Irish folklore, a sudden strong wind in March was said to be the breath of the Cailleach, the Winter Hag, fighting against the coming of spring.
- In Germany, it was believed that if the March winds blew too strongly, they would sweep away good fortune, leaving bad luck in their wake.
- In some traditions, hanging ribbons or charms in trees during a March storm was thought to capture the wind’s energy, offering protection or granting a wish.
Superstition: If a sudden gust of wind lifts your hat from your head in March, legend says you must chase it and retrieve it—otherwise, you risk losing your luck for the year.
The Waking Earth: Signs of Good and Bad Luck
As winter recedes, the land itself begins to stir. Animals emerge, buds unfurl, and the first flowers pierce the frost-hardened ground. But even these joyful signs carry their own superstitions:
- Seeing the first butterfly of the year was once thought to predict how the rest of your year would unfold. A white butterfly meant good luck, while a brown or black one signalled misfortune.
- Hearing the first song of a cuckoo was an omen of wealth—but only if you had money in your pocket when you heard it. An empty purse meant a year of financial hardship.
- Stepping on the first new grass of the season was believed to bring vitality and strength, while trampling young flowers was said to anger the spirits of spring.
March’s Darker Omens: Ghosts, Shadows, and the Veil Between Worlds
As a month of transition, March has long been considered a time when the boundary between the seen and unseen grows thin. It is a month of hauntings, of restless spirits wandering between winter’s stillness and spring’s renewal.
- In some English villages, March was thought to be a time when ghosts of those who died during the winter roamed, seeking rest before the warmth of spring fully arrived.
- A shadow that moves unexpectedly in the corner of your vision was believed to be a spirit caught between seasons, neither here nor there.
- Hearing footsteps behind you on an empty March night was an unsettling sign—it was said that if you turned and saw nothing, you were being followed by a ghost trying to deliver a message.
Superstition: If a candle flickers without a draught in March, it is said to be a spirit passing by, drawn to the changing energy of the season.
Embracing the Magic of March
March is not just a month of unpredictable weather and strange omens—it is a time of power, when the old gives way to the new, and nature reminds us that change is inevitable. It is a time for casting off the weight of winter, for welcoming transformation, and for recognising that even the winds whisper secrets if you care to listen.
So, as you walk through this restless month, take note of the signs. Watch the skies, feel the breeze, and trust that March holds its own peculiar magic—a magic that has been shaping stories and superstitions for centuries.