The Highland monthly - National Library of Scotland

Gaelic rncantations. 425
GAELIC INCANTATIONS, CHARMS. AND
BLESSINGS OF THE HEBRIDES.
THERE
By WILLIAM MACKENZIE
VI.
EOLAS NA\ SUL.
were Eolais not only to heal sore eyes, but
also to remove a mote from the eye. Martin men-
tions that " there be women" who have the latter art,
" though at some miles distant from the party grieved." The
Eolas for sore or weak eyes was practised till recent times in
many parts of the country. The viodiis operandi was this :
—A dish was filled with clean water, and the performer,
bending over it, and spitting into it, repeated the following
Incantation :
—
Obaidh nan geur shi:il.
An obaidh 's fearr fo 'n ghrein ;
Obaidh Dhe, an Uile Mhor.
Feile Mairi, feile Dhe,
Feile gach sagairt 's gach cleir,
Feile Mhicheil nam feart,
'Chairich anns a' ghrein a neart.
Translated
A charm for sore smarting eyes
—
The best charm under the sun ;
The charm of God, the All Great ;
Beneficence of Mary, beneficence of God,
Beneficence of each priest and each cleric.
Beneficence of Michael the strenuous,
Who bestowed on the sun its strength.
A' CHIOCH—THE UVULA.
When the palate fell (A' chioch 's an amhaich), the
ceremony of logail na Dail-chuaich was resorted to. As
the plant called Dail-cJiuaich was pulled, a certain incantation
was said, but I have been unable to get it. Will any
reader furnish a copy ?