The Highland monthly - National Library of Scotland

Gaelic Incautatiom.
While referring to the Airne Moire, I may menticjn
another foreign nut, gathered on the shores of the outer
islands. [Martin says that the kernel of this nut, beat to
powder and drunk in milk or aqua vitce, was reckoned a
good remedy for diarrhoea and dysentery ; and the Rev. J.
Lane Buchanan states that during his sojourn in the
Hebrides (1782- 1790), after the kernel was removed, the
shell was used as a snuff-mull. It is so used still, and I
exhibit a specimen. In former times Hebridean ladies
got these nuts mounted with silver, and used them as
vinaigrettes.
Having described the use of the Airne Moire at child
birth, a Bathing Charm or Blessing may now be given. It
is called
EOLAS AN FHAILCIDH,
or, as Mainlanders would say, Eolas an FJiairigidJi. The
water having been dul\' blessed, the woman bathing the
infant began by sprinkling a palmful (boiseag) of water on
its head. As the performance went on, and as each palmful
was sprinkled on the child, the following Incantation was
repeated :
Translated
—
Boiseag orr h-aois [air t-aois],
'S boiseag orr fhas [air t-fhas],
A's air do chuid a ghabhail ort,
'S a chuid nach fhasadh anns an oidhche dhiot
Gu'm fasadh anns an latha dhiot.
Tri baslaichean na Trianaid Xaoimh,
Ga d' dhion 's ga d' shabhaladh
Bho bheum sial,
'S bho chraos-fharmad nam peacach.
A palmfull of water on your age [years],
A palmfull of water on }'Our growth.
And on your taking of }'our food ;
And may the part of you which grows not during
the night
Grow during the day.
Three palmfuls of water of the Holy Trinity,
To protect and guard you
From the effects of the e\-il eye.
And from the jealous lust of sinners.