GNAT
These tiny little creatures that tend to irritate us to a state of madness have surprisingly perhaps been seen as purveyors of good fortune! If someone was ill, it was thought that to open up all the windows and doors where the sick person lay at sunset would allow the gnats to enter. Also known as midges they were thought to fly around and attract the sickness, and when they flew away the sickness went too.

Gnats are also good indicators of weather conditions; flying high, and perhaps in large numbers indicates fine weather is on the way, whilst to see a lonesome midge flying close to the ground indicates a downpour is on the way.

GOAT
Many view goats with some suspicion not least because through time they have become heavily associated in many parts of the world with the God Pan who was half-man and half-goat and worshipped extensively in the ancient world. The Devil was believed to be able to transform into a goat at will and has long been portrayed in paintings and folklore to have cloven hoofs and horns just like a goat. In taking this form he was able to move freely. Goats were thought o meet regularly with the Devil and in rural parts were thought to have daily meetings, hence why at times when a goat could not be found it was thought to be serving darker forces.

The hair or hoof of a goat were once thought to provide protection against seeing off the Devil, warning him that this is what would happen to him if ventured further to test the faith of the farmer or goat owner. Hence that goats were usually lovingly cared for in response to such beliefs to serve as mutual protection against any negative events happening. The hair or a hoof was thought to act as a form of talisman, a protection and a warning sign.

Sailors once strongly believed that a goat skin on board the ship would ensure a calm sea if hung from the mainmast.

To cure illness in a house, people in certain parts of Europe and America once believed that if a goat could be encouraged to munch its way through the grass on the property where the sick person lived the munching would eventually lead to the illness being taken away. The nearer the goat could feed to the house the better.

GOLDFINCH
See Mystical WWW : Mystical Birds Introduction.

GOLDEN PLOVER
See Mystical WWW : Mystical Birds.

GREYHOUND
There has long been a belief held amongst Welsh greyhound owners and sporting trainers of these animals that to have one with a white mark on its head would ensure good fortune in its racing career.