Rain turtle

A rain turtle is a ritual believed to bring about rain, especially in periods of drought. The practice is commonly considered to be of Native American origin. [ [http://www.starhaven1.net/rain_turtle.htm The Rain Turtle] ] To perform the ceremony, one uses a stick to draw a turtle in the sand or dirt of an area in need of rain. The stick is then driven into the ground so that it remains protruding from the turtle's back. The time required for the action to take effect varies from one account to another, ranging from occurring instantaneously to taking several days.

The practice has become somewhat common with surveyors, hunters, ranchers, gardeners and other people working outdoors, particularly in the Western United States. [ [http://thehunterslife.com/forums/showthread.php?t=6290 How To Make A Rain Turtle] - The Hunter's Life Forums] A variation on the ceremony requires that those participating must spit onto the turtle's back, and is thus called a spit turtle. [ [http://www.gardenbanter.co.uk/showthread.php?t=160184 It's time for another spit turtle...] - GardenBanter.co.uk]

References