What time today do you reckon the devil spits on the blackberries?

[MagentaRavioli]

I know we’ve had blackberry season for a good 6 weeks and I really should have picked more ahead of Michalmas, but life is busy. Do you reckon the devil spits on the blackberries at midnight on the feast day, or sunset the night before, or will I be okay with nipping out this afternoon to see what I can salvage from the hedgerow?

I've never heard of this before! Does devil spit not wash off?

Wtf?

he spits on them tonight so get out now before Ol' Fiery taints them!

I think it's only tonight so fine to go this afternoon. You'll know if he's spat on them though, they go all manky and mushy. I don't think he's a very good timekeeper because the date seems to vary by year.

He’s already done it round our way

Spits on?

Pisses on is what I heard. On the stroke of midnight.

Ours are already done

Mind you...according to my old Diana annual 1967..see illustration below, (and also various sources) 11th Oct is D- day as thats the day Lucifer got kicked out of heaven

Well I never. My ancient folklore knowledge is sadly lacking in this respect.

Ooh, I've never heard of this - so Lucifer got kicked out of heaven and takes revenge by spitting on blackberries every year? That seems... petty...?! Nice that he gives everyone a few weeks to gather them first though, maybe he's not all bad :) What happens if you eat one he's gobbed on? What if the birds do? So many questions...

I think the devil spits in some counties and pisses in others. I have a feeling that in Scotland he merely stamps his foot on them. Round here it’s Michalmas that he comes for the blackberries. We went out and found a few but tbh I think there may have been a bit of spitting already.

My mum told me that anytime before Halloween was OK then they belong to the witches!

4 o'clock. Sunday hours n all that.

Same here, he was here about 10 days ago. Guess it takes a while to get about on hooves.

My dad said midnight on Michaelmas. I have no idea why I still remember this all these years later, but Michaelmas was also the weekend for the fair at home (I assume it was a mop fair, but in that area it wasn't referred to as that wheras in my current area they are labelled as mop and run away fairs in the autumn)

Blackberries gone here over 2 weeks ago, they were early this year. No spit or piss involved as far as I know!

I've never heard of this before. I did throw salt over my shoulder yesterday so I'm not averse to bit of superstitionactual thing if you aren't careful.

Don't be silly, it's the witches that put spells on the blackberries and they do it on Halloween. Every year. Come on, it's kind of obvious actually.

They were still ok at 2pm, but now they’re cooking in a pie. Is the the devil going to piss in my oven?

I don’t think Waitrose allow him in so theirs are safe if you get desperate.

If Waitrose doesn’t allow the devil in how come he tempts me to spend £50 when I pop in to buy a baguette and some apples?

That’s just the store manager …

Yes, but you must use White Spirit.

You should never pick blackberries after the 30 September as then they have the devil in them. I was raised on this superstition!

I reckon that

a) it happens tonight, as Michelmas is protection

b) you're very innocent, as he certainly isn't 'spitting' on them.