March certainly embodies a playful unpredictability that has spurred some fascinating reflections on our relationship with nature and the heavens. The duality of "in like a lion, out like a lamb" underscores the month's reputation for both fierce storms and gentle spring breezes, showcasing the whims of Mother Nature; whether she’s experiencing complex emotions or simply displaying her age. This phrase’s evolution, coupled with our historical reliance on celestial observations for understanding earthly events, reinforces a time when astrology and meteorology were intertwined, offering insights into how ancient cultures perceived the cosmos's influence on daily life. While today we lean heavily on technology and meteorological forecasts, the nostalgia for that simple connection to nature persists, provoking musings on the cyclical nature of knowledge and the possibly shifting landscape of how we interpret and engage with the weather. As we wrestle with the unpredictabilities of March, it serves as a reminder of both our scientific advancements and the timeless allure of the skies above.

Historically, March has been a tumultuous weather month, with many deliberations about the phrase "Comes in like a lion, out like a lamb" describing the weather. According the The Paris Review, this phrase is seen at is earliest publication in one Thomas Fuller’s 1732 compendiums, Gnomologia: Adagies and Proverbs; Wise Sentences and Witty Sayings, Ancient and Modern, Foreign and British - available in full here. However, a publication entitled Weather Proverbs published in 1883 states "March comes in like a lamb and goes out like a lion". Although one pre-dates the other, they seem so easily flipped that it has become accepted to manipulate the phrase dependent on what the weather presents us. 

When seeking an origin of how this phrase (in either form) came about, our eyes often turn to the stars. As many are aware, astrology is one of the oldest sciences, having developed in ancient Greece and ensuring its longevity through influencing the Romans. Astronomy is the primary category, and the initiator of the other related fields of study. A relationship between the stars and events on Earth has long been proposed as the catalyst for many earthly events - including weather, personal events (either misfortune or luck), divinations, and even communication with celestial beings. It is here, in the night sky, that we see the constellations Leo and Aries. A possible presumption is that the involvement of the material earthy creatures associated with these constellations, and the relative position of these sets of stars at the beginning of the month of March, may be a source of the phrase. One often seeks inspiration from the stars during times of creative thought - is this merely a case of human nature? 

To consider this particular phrase, we must also consider that at the time of its recorded inception, there were no weather predictors beyond human observation and record keeping. The first documented weather records were completed by Roger Bacon (1214-1294) , man ahead of his time in regards to empirical scientific study and analysis (Pfister, et al.). Following this record, there are a number of weather diaries kept throughout Europe in from the 14th century on, often by members of religious orders. Although these records enable us to recreate past weather patterns, there is no evidence at the time that such data was utilized to form predictions. Instead these notations were related back to the heavens and linked to astrological events. Once again the presumption that celestial events would dictate weather was applied. 

I do not think that in current times we would be able to rely as heavenly on the stars for divination as they once did. Although I am aware that there are many practitioners of the astrological arts - I am uncertain whether they look to the star charts or the weather network when planning their next outing. The cloud cover we are often presented with, especially at this time of year it seems, would be a force to be reckoned with in its own right. 

Instead, we seem to rely on ever inconsistent weather predictions and meteorologists. While writing this, I am beginning to wonder if the developmental time line is not resetting, and soon we will be reverting to mere weather event record-keeping as opposed to predictions. It would certainly improve accuracy of records. For instance, this morning when I awoke at quarter to five, it was only then (or 4 minutes prior to be precise) that there was a weather advisory and dangerous road condition warning of cold temperatures and snow fall in a band across southwestern Ontario, that included (for once) not only where I reside, but my entire work coverage area as well. Now, as this was a quick event and had not been significant enough to be foretold, I suspected they were likely making a mountain out of a mole hill, and although I mentioned it to my husband (as he has farther to travel for work than I do) I brushed it off. When I prepared for work, having loaded up my necessary belongings and a couple dogs for company, I was not prepared for the road conditions that met me. Pulling out of my lane way was no issue, even driving past my neighbour's was no concern; it was not until I was about 200 feet down the road that the icy conditions of the lightly dusted road were felt. My husband had texted me around six to warn that he had slid a lot during his drive, and suggesting I be careful. I had again shrugged off such warnings, as I expected by the time I hit the roads the salt trucks would have gone through and all would be well.

My faith in county abilities to maintain safety was severed shaken this morning.

I managed to get down my own road, acknowledging how as it is the border between two counties we are often left until last (as though it is a game of chicken for the opposing counties on who will be forced to take responsibility), but it was when I slid up to the stop sign leading me to highway 24 (gritting my teeth as I just managed to stop before rolling into traffic) that I felt the fear rise from my stomach. I had called my boss earlier to discuss the situation with her, and after hearing that town felt like nothing had happened, I had rallied and soldiered on. As I peered at the sheen of glass that was the highway, populated with a trail of ant-like vehicles meekly creeping along its surface, I paused. I watched cars go by, and although a space was openly available to me, I considered to weigh my options. I had a bad feeling.

Telling myself to not be such a  ninny, I pulled out onto the highway. 

I lasted maybe five minutes before the slip I could feel under my tires, the lights down the road of police vehicles and the near non-existent movement of traffic in front of me, wore me down. I called back my boss and described the situation, along with my rationale that from home I can do the majority of my work; any of the other tasks, if required, would not be urgent. I will be honest, I do not 100% trust my vehicle on a good day (one day I will write a scathing review of Nissan Armadas) and today was one where I did not wish ti risk my or my dogs' lives betting on it.

I am blessed with great bosses who trust me to work unsupervised (honestly, not a lot of difference than when I am in the office) and support me putting safety first.

So this brings me back to "March in like a [which?] out like a [huh?]". 

This month has had bouts of -15 and +20 C weather, a matter of days apart. This has been combined with rainstorms, flurries and days like today - combinations of freezing and (as I look out the window) melting temperatures. Determining whether a light jacket, Winter jacket, or only a sweater has been a daily trial. But funnily, I can't say that I am sure which mammal was the forerunner in their associate weather harbingering. I almost want to say the lamb, which would make more sense with this morning's turn of events; but at the beginning of the month was when we had actual events that required intervention from our work services. There is also the part of me that resists encouraging even harsher weather as the month closes out - being that that is inclusive of the next seven days. I should have kept a record of the waether.

Perhaps I should consult the astrological charts and get some input on the heavens on which way the phrase would be worded this year; that may be my most relaible source.

References

Campion, N.  (2019, May 23). Astrology in Ancient Greek and Roman Culture. Oxford Research Encyclopedia of Planetary Science. Retrieved 26 Mar. 2025, from https://oxfordre.com/planetaryscience/view/10.1093/acrefore/9780190647926.001.0001/acrefore-9780190647926-e-46.

Pfister, C., et al. “Daily weather observations in sixteenth-century Europe.” Climatic Change, vol. 43, 1999, pp. 111–150, www.hist.unibe.ch/e11168/e52524/e69145/e186327/e188656/46_Pfister-Daily-Weather-Obs-99-2_ger.pdf. Accessed 26 Mar. 2025.

Stein, S. (2015, March 2). Folk Wisdom. Retrieved 26 Mar 2025 from https://www.theparisreview.org/blog/2015/03/02/folk-wisdom/.