The Highland monthly - National Library of Scotland

Gaelic Incantations. 285
colour, and black. In Virgil's Ecologue VIII., line 73, we
have a clear reference to the Eolas of the triple thread :
" lerna tibi heir pninuiii triplici diversa cotore licia
ciraundd'
(" First I surround thee with three different threads and
threefold colours),"
thus proving the great antiquity of this charm. It is still
very popular in the Western Islands, and is used as a
Charm against the effects of the Evil Eye, and also against
Witchcraft. The rite observed is as follows :
P^irst. the Paidir or Putcr is said. Then the following
Incantation :
— —
Chi suil thu,
Labhraidh bial thu ;
Smuainichidh cridhe thu.
Tha fear a ruigheadh (?)
Gad' choisreagadh,
An t-Athair, 's am Mac, 's an Spiorad Naomh.
Ceathrar a rinn do chron
Fear agus bean,
Gille agus nighean.
Co tha gu sin a thilleadh ?
Tri Pearsannan na Trianaid ro-naomh,
An t-Athair, am Mac, 's an Spiorad Naomh.
Tha mi 'cur fianuis gu Moire, agus gu Brighde,
Ma 's e duine rinn do chron,
Le droch ruin,
No le droch shuil,
No le droch chridhe,
Gu'm bi thusa, ^
(
) gu math
Ri linn so a chur mu 'n cuairt ort.
An ainm an Athar, 's a' Mhic, 's an Spioraid Naoimh.
Translated
An eye will see you,
Tongue will speak of you.
Heart will think of }'ou,
—
(?)
Blesses }'ou
The Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
—
^ Here say the name of person or beast to be curerl.
—