From Sweden to Saskatchewan, when a pig spleen makes weather forecasts

An ancient Scandinavian practice is resurfacing in Saskatchewan, thanks to Jeff Woodward. The latter continues a unique ancestral tradition by predicting winter weather conditions using a pig’s spleen.

Jeff Woodward explains that this practice would predict the weather within a radius of 200 km to 300 km around where the pig lived. According to him, this method would also make it possible to establish weather forecasts over a period of six months.

The tradition dates back several hundred years, to a time when Jeff Woodward’s ancestors lived in Sweden.

This is a kind of pagan ritual that was practiced in Swedensays Jeff Woodward. We would slaughter a pig, examine its spleen, and try to predict winter conditions.

To establish these predictions, the pig spleen is carefully studied. Jeff Woodward explains that it is divided into six sections, each representing a month.

The thickness of the spleen would indicate temperatures, while the presence and thickness of fat would reveal expected precipitation.

Knowledge passed down from generation to generation

Originally from Sweden, this method dates back several centuries. Passed down from generation to generation, it crossed the Atlantic with Jeff Woodward’s ancestors before landing on the Canadian Prairies.

Since the death of his uncle Gus Wickstrom 17 years ago, Jeff Woodward has taken up the torch. His uncle, a local figure known in Tompkinsin Saskatchewan, had himself learned this mysterious art from his grandparents.

Despite its unorthodox character, the tradition intrigues and fascinates.

There are many people who think it has no valueconfie Jeff Woodward. But, from my perspective, after more than 10 years, I’m still amazed at how well these predictions turn out. I can’t explain it. It’s like that, that’s all.

Jeff Woodward says his uncle gained some fame for this unique hobby. One of the notable events remains the year when he predicted a snowfall in June, an improbable prediction which nevertheless came true, which attracted considerable attention.

Between folklore and scientific reality

Jeff Woodward worked for Environment and Climate Change Canada, although he was not attached to the weather forecasting department. This double hat has sometimes provoked jokes from his colleagues, but he accepts the mockery with humor.

Currently retired, the Saskatchewanian organized evenings devoted to predictions based on pig spleens and published his results. These meetings attract curious and passionate people, intrigued by this atypical practice.

Pig spleen rules provide a six-month forecast. I usually do this in November or December, and the predictions hold from January to Junehe specifies.

In an interview given to CBC/- in 2018, Jeff Woodward himself acknowledges that there is no scientific evidence to support predictions based on pig spleens. However, he believes that this tradition is based on an instinctive observation of nature.

Animals sense when winter will be harshhe explains. For example, pigs eat more, and muskrats build thicker huts.

With information from Coralie Hodgson