Pennies From Heaven

Rain: comes from the Greek word ranis(meaning droplet). A liquid precipitation which falls from clouds in the sky.

Convectional, frontal, cyclonic and relief, it's all just rain. Right?

Different regions around the world receive rain with different attitudes. 
Arid areas around the globe greet rains with happiness, contrasting with the west temperate regions who receive rain with negative connotations as can be seen by the children's song 'Rain rain go away'.

Many cultures see rain as a sign from God. Ancient Egyptians and some Native American tribes have been using traditional rain dance ceremonies throughout the years in attempts to invoke rain for their harvests.

And He who sends down (from time to time) water from the sky in due measure, and We raise to life therewith a land that is dead. Even so will you be raised (from the dead) (Surat az -Zukhruf, 11)

Rain is mentioned in the Quraan on many occasions for it's presence on Earth and it's abundance in the heavens. Water has the power to revive and nourish dead land and make it thrive with beautiful crop once more.
We feed off the Earth's vegetation and groundwater sources, so as humans we depend on rain as a source for life.

But rain isn't always a good thing as we have seen in the recent Australian floods in Queensland.
About 1,200 homes have been evacuated, displacing thousands of people in different communities across Eastern Australia.

Acid rain also used to be a huge threat and had harmful effects on plants, aquatic animals, soils and human health.

So what's the deal? I thought rain was 'a sign from God'?
If you think about it, acid rain and floods are caused by recent human activity. We are meddling with the system by polluting the atmosphere with sulfur and nitrogen compounds from fuel combustion.
Therefore, we only have ourselves to blame for the current disasters we are facing.


Personally, I love the rain. I find the scent of petrichor extremely pleasant and distinctive.
As my favorite 1950s song goes...

Every time it rains it rains pennies from heaven

So be sure to hold your umbrella upside down.

Signed,