The Highland monthly - National Library of Scotland

288 The Highland Monthly.
same time an incantation of some kind was gone through.
With regard to the club moss, the following lines were
said :
—
Fhir a shiubhlas gu h-eutrom
Cha'n eagal dhuit beud mo pudhar,
'S garbhag-an-t-sleibhe bhi air do shiubhal.
I was not able to find the incantation of the Sian in
Uist, but I give here a set which Mr Macbain obtained
from one of his mainland friends. The "charmer" and
his protege go to a retired spot. The recipient of the
charm there goes on his knees ; the " charmer" lays his
hand on the other's head ; and, with eyes shut, utters the
incantation. Going round him sunwise, or Deisiiil, he
repeats these words twice :
Translated
—
—
Sian a chuir Moire air a Mac ort,
Sian ro mharbhadh, sian ro lot ort,
Sian eadar a' chioch 's a' ghlun,
Sian eadar a' ghlun 's a' bhroit ort,
Sian nan Tri ann an Aon ort,
O mhullach do chinn gu bonn do chois ort.
Sian seachd paidir a h-aon ort,
Sian seachd paidir a dha ort,
Sian seachd paidir a tri ort,
Sian seachd paidir a ceithir ort,
Sian seachd paidir a coig ort,
Sian seachd paidir a sia ort,
Sian seachd paidir nan seachd paidir uol deisiul
ri deagh uarach ort, ga do ghleidheadh bho
bheud 's bho mhi-thapadh.
The charm that Mar)- placed on her son be on you,
Charm from slaying, charm from wounding,
Charm between pap and knee,
Charm between knee and breast on you,
Charm of the Three in One on you.
From top of head to sole of foot.
Charm of seven paters once on you,
Charm of seven paters twice on you,
Charm of seven paters thrice on you.
Charm of seven paters four times on you.