Folklore  of the Gaels
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  The folklore of the Gaels of Ireland and the Highlands is a vast subject
  area that makes fascinating study for those who are interested. This
  paper is a brief introduction to some of the more notable aspects of our
  rich heritage of folk customs and beliefs, the roots of which go back to
  the pagan nature religion of our ancestors. While the religious meanings
  have long since been forgotten by most, yet these ancient rites and
  customs survive in the 'folk memory' of the Gael. Celtic religion was by
  nature tribal and localised.

  Deities were nature spirits that inhabited rivers, lochs, groves,
  moorland, mountains and glens. Worship of these places survived long
  after the Gods themselves had been cast aside through the influence of
  Christianity. This can be seen in many place names.

  DEISEIL: A very common practise is the circling three times deiseil, or
  sunwise, of a certain place, house etc. to bring good luck and fortune.
  This is clearly a pagan custom of drawing down the power of the sun,
  associated with blessings, good health and fortune. For example, fire is
  carried three times around an infant; boats are rowed three times
  sunwise before a journey; the sick circle three times around a holy well
  for health.

  QUARTER DAYS: The Quarter Days are the old Celtic festivals of Samhain,
  Bride, Beltaine and Lughnassad, and much folklore surrounds them. They
  are considered especially potent days for all kinds of charms,
  divinations and so on. Needfires are kindled for the protection and
  purification of people and livestock; visits to holy wells are made;
  dedications of bannocks are carried out. These days are also considered
  lucky for journeys, new ventures, lovers etc. There are also certain
  taboos, however. It is considered dangerous to give away fire in the
  form of a kindling, in case the luck of the house goes with it. The
  First Monday of the Quarter is dedicated to the moon, and is also
  considered very lucky. A system of divination used in the Highlands,
  known as The Frith, was carried out on this day, just before sunrise.
  The seer would go barefoot to stand in the doorway of the house, and
  the divination would be made from what is seen, particularly of birds
  and animals.

  MOON PHASES: Sowing and planting were always done at the waxing moon.
  The waning moon was considered good for ploughing, reaping, cutting
  peat. On the waning moon, hazel and willow were not cut for baskets, nor
  was wood cut for boats. Everyone once carried a 'peighinn pisich'(lucky
  penny) which was turned over three times in the pocket at the first
  sight of the new crescent.

  WATER: The magic of water is widely known. Wells, pools, streams are
  reputed to have healing powers and life preserving properties. Springs
  are particularly beneficial, as they carry water from the heart of the
  Earth. At one time, there were over 600 holy wells all over Scotland;
  they were originally shrines of local water deities. Before drinking of
  the well water, you must circle the well three times and 'silver' the
  water with a silver coin. THE SEA: much superstition surrounds this.
  Certain things must not be given their correct name at sea, even places,
  for fear of causing offence to the 'Good People'. Certain birds are
  either good or bad omens if seen at sea. A stranger must not walk over
  ropes, oars etc. or this would bring bad luck. When rowing a boat you
  must start from the right hand side. A child born on the ebbing tide
  was considered to be unlucky, and would probably grow up weak and
  sickly.

  ANIMALS: There is a wealth of folklore concerning animals. The serpent
  in Scotland symbolises wisdom and the Earth spirit. Bulls are especially
  linked with fertility. The most common 'fairy animals' are the selkies,
  or seal people, and the kelpies, or water horses. (For more information
  see 'Celtic Totem Animals', Dalriada Publications).

  TREES: Certain trees are considered to be under the protection of the
  'fairies', and to destroy a fairy tree is a very dangerous act. ROWAN is
  the supreme tree of protection, and is used for the churn staff,
  distaff, the pin of the plough and in many other domestic and
  agricultural implements. It is common to plant a rowan near the front
  door of the house, or near the byre door.  HAZEL is associated with
  divination, especially of water. The nuts are embodiments of wisdom and
  children born in the autumn could have the  'milk of the nut', said to
  be of great benefit. ELDER or the bourtree is also a protective tree and
  features a great deal in folklore. WILLOW and ALDER  are especially
  beloved  of water spirits. Thorn trees are said to be sacred to the
  fairies, especially if three are found growing together. IVY is
  protective of milk. Ivy, woodbine and rowan are combined in wreaths and
  placed over the lintels of cow houses. Many plants are said to have
  magical properties, such as Saint John's Wort, pearlwort, vervain,
  yarrow, woodbine, foxglove and many others. Milk could be charmed from
  another's cows, but certain plants, such as pearlwort, could be used to
  counteract this.

  STONES: Many standing stones are reputed to have healing powers. Stones
  with holes through them are especially good for 'curing' barren women.
  Small healing stones, sometimes shaped like different parts of the body,
  were used in the Highlands. The sick person would wash the affected part
  and then rub it with the appropriate stone. 'ELF BOLTS'- the name given
  to small flint arrowheads, were also considered lucky if found. Cattle
  were given water to drink in which an elf bolt had been dipped. THE
  KNOCKING STONE -  a large lump of stone, hollowed out, in which corn was
  bruised. It was closely associated with the daily bread and therefore
  with the 'luck of the house'. FAMILY CHARM STONES these were stones
  handed down through families that were said to have supernatural powers.
  The most famous charm stone was that of the Brahan Seer, Kenneth
  MacKenzie, who lived in the 17th century. It was a small white stone
  with a hole in the centre; when he looked through it he could 'see'into
  the future.

  THE FAIRIES: One of the most important aspects of Gaelic folklore is the
  preservation of the 'Fairy Tradition' in story and song. The belief in
  fairies was widespread until very recently in Celtic countries. In
  Scotland, the most famous incidents involving the taking of mortals to
  Fairyland  are of Thomas the Rhymer, Tam Lin and the Rev. Robert Kirk,
  author of the remarkable book 'The Secret Commonwealth of Elves, Fauns
  and Fairies'. There are several schools of thought as to the origin of
  the belief in fairies: 1) Some say the fairies are a folk memory of a
  former race of people (such as the Fir Bolgs), slightly smaller and
  stockier than us in stature, who lived underground in mound-like
  dwellings. 2). Others see the fairies as 'Fallen Angels', who were
  denied a place in Heaven through some misdeed or other. This is
  obviously a later, Christianised explanation. 3). Many people see the
  fairies as a non-human race of nature spirits, and also as the spirits
  of the Departed. Most fairy hills would seem to be associated with
  ancient burial places. 4). The fairies are also said to be the Gods of
  an older, Earth based religion who have diminished in stature only as a
  result of the bias against their worship by the Church.

  FAIRYLAND: This is the magical dwelling place of the fairy folk, which
  is in essence  the same as the Celtic Otherworld. Glimpses of the
  Otherworld can be had through the 'Second Sight'. Entrances to this land
  are often 'over the sea' to an island beneath the waves, or subterranean
  as in caves, mounds, etc. Fairy women often come in boats to take mortal
  men away to these lands, hence it is considered unlucky for seafaring
  men to see a woman before setting out on a journey by boat.

  FAIRY GIFTS: Many folk stories tell of fairies giving gifts to mortals,
  for example gold, but this often turns to withered leaves or muck. Other
  gifts to various Scottish clans are fairy flags and fairy chanters.

  THE CHANGELING: The fairies would sometimes take away young babies
  (especially new born) and leave a sickly child of their own in its
  place, which would soon wither and die.

  THE BAN SIDH: (Banshee) - this means a fairy woman, but is usually used
  to mean the spirit of a dead ancestress, the guardian spirit of one of
  the old Irish families. In the Highlands she was known as the Glaistig
  Uaine, the Green Lady. When any great misfortune (such as a death) was
  about to happen in the family, her cries could be heard.

  THE GRUAGACH: a fairy woman who guarded livestock, especially at night,
  but expected a daily offering of milk for her work. Libations were poured
  on 'gruagach stones' (especially in Skye).

  BAN NIGH: The Washer of the Ford, a gloomy figure seen in the dark of
  night, washing the shroud of someone about to die.

  THE CAILLEACH: the old woman, the night mare; many place names are named
  after her.

  URUISG: spirits of the forest, half human, half goat, with ragged, hairy
  appearance. They are wild and savage, but it is possible to establish
  friendships with them. Uruisgs will help households that they attach
  themselves to, and work for little reward, but they are easily offended.
  They are similar to the Brownies of the Lowland areas.

  HIGHLAND SECOND SIGHT: The Highlanders are famed for this gift, but few
  will speak openly about it, for they have such a superstitious fear of
  it. Visions usually come to the seer uninvited, and often against the
  will of the person. Seeing a person's double, or seeing the death shroud
  about someone, meant that their death was imminent. Those with Second
  Sight can also see events happening to living people who are great
  distances away at that particular time.

  INVOCATIONS: Traditional invocations play an important part in Highland
  life, and are recited on all significant occasions. They bear a thin
  surface of Christian influence, below which can be seen the old pagan
  deities. Examples: Invocation of the Graces, Invocation for Justice, and
  many others.

  THE EVIL EYE: The 'Droch shuil' - this is a very potent Highland belief,
  which clearly has its origins in the Celtic legend of the Fomorian God
  'Balor of the Evil Eye'. It is believed that certain people have the
  ability to blight things on which they cast their gaze; this unfortunate
  gift can also be possessed by people with no evil intent, and consider
  themselves cursed by it. Stale urine is a powerful antidote for the Evil
  Eye. Another way to combat this is to drink three mouthfuls of water
  which has been poured over silver.





            [Lorraine MacDonald Dalriada Celtic Heritage Society]
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