The first breath of wind after a calm comes from the south, hence “When the wind is lost look for it in the south” (_Nuair a bhios gaoth air chall iarr a deas i_). After a heavy fall of rain the wind comes west, as is told in the saying, “West wind after fat rain” (_Gaoth ’n iar ’n déigh uisge reamhar_). If frost comes on, when rivers and pools are swollen, and the ground is very wet, it does not last long; “the freezing of the full pool does not rest long” (_reodhadh an lodain làin, cha mhair e fada_). The heaviest rain comes from the north (or rather north-east), and the longest drought from the south; “there is no rain but from the north, or lasting dry weather but from the south” (_Cha-n uisge ach o’n tuath, ’s cha turadh buan ach o’n deas_). The frequency with which the violence of the wind moderates after a shower of rain has given rise to the proverb “after wind comes rain” (_an déigh gaoth mhor thig uisge_), to denote that after loud merriment and laughter come sorrow and the cares brought by reflection. “It is north wind that dissipates mist” (_’s i gaoth tuath sgaoileas ceò_); “the first day of south wind, and the third day of north wind” (_chiad latha de ’n ghaoth deas ’s an treas latha de ’n ghaoth tuath_), _i.e._ they are moderate then, and are best for crossing ferries on. “A speckled chequered summer makes a white, sunny harvest” (_ni samhradh breac riabhach fogharadh geal grianach_). The south-west, being the direction from which rain commonly comes, is known in the Hebrides as “_Cachlaidh na Buigeuisg_,” the gateway of soft weather. THE MOON. Both the sun (_a Ghrian_) and moon (_a Ghealach_) are feminine in Gaelic, and the names are simply descriptive of their appearance. There is no trace of a Sun-God or Moon-Goddess. The root _gr_ in _Grian_ denotes horrent or bristling, and alludes to the sun’s rays. It is said by some writers, that the name is connected with Apollo Grannua, but the connection is a mere accidental similarity in the initial letters. The root _gr_, denoting what is streaming or bristling, occurs in _gruag_, a wig, flowing hair; _greann_, a surly look, a bristling of the hair as on an enraged dog; _grāin_, aversion, from the turning up of nose and stomach and bristling appearance of one much disgusted, so ab_horr_ence, etc. _Gealach_, the moon, is from _geal_, white. The names _luan_, _easga_, or _easgann_ are given in dictionaries, but have disappeared from common use. With the former is supposed to be connected _luaineach_, restless, and _luaisg_, to move. _R’_ denotes any planet. The moment the moon begins to increase is called _gob soillse_ (lit. the bill or beak of the light). The height of the tide, which follows his changes, is _bolg reothairt_ (lit. the swollen womb of spring tide). The moon’s increase is _fās_, and when waning she is _san earra-dhubh_ (lit. in her black boundaries).[79]