The Romany

I have Gypsies in my novel, or as they prefer to be called, the Romany (or Rom/Roma.)  It was very interesting to research this culture.  Did you know some Romanies are fair-skinned and some have red hair?(1)  There's an old saying that if you ask 10 different Rom the same question, you'll get 10 different answers. If you ask one Romany the same question 10 times, you still get 10 different answers.(2)
One fun bit of information I found was about the moon and how they use it to predict the weather.  When the crescent moon's horns tilt upwards, it means she's holding her water, so the weather will be nice.  If the horns tilt downward, it will be showery.  Major changes in weather usually occur at the moon's quarters.(1)  I don't know if there's a direct correlation between the moon phases and the weather, but I have noticed nice weather when the crescent moon's horns are turned upward.  Have you ever noticed more restless nights during a full moon than during the rest of the month?  My husband doesn't sleep well during full moons.  He thinks there's a connection there.

The Romany have many other good luck charms, omens and beliefs.  Very interesting. 

Veronica

1.  Cooper, Patrinella (2002) Gypsy Magic: A Romany Book of Spells, Charms & Fortune-Telling Boston: Red Wheel/Weiser, LLC
2.  Buckland, Raymond (2001) Gypsy, Witchcraft & Magic, St. Paul, MN:  Llewellyn Publications