Old Customs and Superstitions of Inishowen
Taken from 'Romantic Inishowen' 1947 by Harry Percival Swan
A highly fascinating study is that of superstitions and strange
beliefs. Throughout the world this lore exists in plentiful supply.
Our own land is particularly rich in it - myths, spells, pishogues,
lucky and unlucky charms, superstitions and odd customs in great
variety. Most of these have reached us by tradition, relics of the
pagan creeds of long ago - the sun worship, nature worship and Druidism
of our Celtic ancestors. It is surprising to what an extent they
have refused to be blotted out and forgotten amidst the mutations
of a changing and matter of fact world, where education and science
are ever on the onward march. These lingering old customs and beliefs
are not only interesting in themselves, but when studied and rationalised
are found to contain many beautiful and arresting meanings.
Touch Wood
"Touch Wood", you exclaim when you have just congratulated
yourself on an escape from some undesirable consequence. Why should
you touch wood? To primeval man a tree was a god; it had life; it
was a symbol of knowledge. When you touch wood you resurrect a belief
that was current 5,000 years ago. In days gone by it is said there
was growing, near St Patrick's Well at the Grianan of Aileach, a
tree which was stuck over with rusty pins placed there by pilgrims.
What was behind this practice?
Horse Shoes
It involved not only tree worship, but metal dread, and was
first instituted by a non-metal using people to ward off the magic
of newcomers who knew the mystery of bronze and its power in warfare.
The same idea is at the bottom of belief in the iron horseshoe as
a luck-bringer - one of the most common superstitions in Inishowen,
as elsewhere. By the way, where horseshoes are fixed (as to a door
or a cart) the ends are pointed upwards and not down. Evil was supposed
to travel in circles, and when it reached the ends of the upturned
horseshoe it was frustrated; but if the ends pointed downwards it
could drop to the earth and find a victim.
White Heather
White heather, found on many of the Inishowen hillsides, is
also considered lucky for its wearer and is much sought after. The
belief grew up because white is a token of goodness and purity of
life. For instance, we read that the Druids performed their rites
standing under an oak tree, clothed always in a pure white robe,
symbolical of perfection.
Lucky Pebbles
Speaking of lithic objects reminds me of the custom for passers-by
to add a small stone or pebble to the cairn beside the ancient well
in Mamore Gap. This is believed to bring luck to the wayfarer and
to prevent tiredness. It is likewise thought to be lucky to place
a pebble on the top of Cooley Cross when you visit it. This is a
very old custom, the underlying idea, doubtless, is that your act
is a sacred acknowledgment or votive offering.
Bonfire Night
Another old custom, that of kindling large fires on the
evening of the 24th June is believed to be a survival of Baal worship
or sun worship. Beltine, i.e, lucky fire (bonfire) consisted of
two fires which used to be kindled on a hilltop by the pagan lawgivers,
accompanied with great ceremony and incantations. The people used
to drive their cattle between these fires to guard them against
disease. This practice is forbidden in a verse of Leviticus: "Thus
shalt not pass thy seed (children) through the fire to Moloch."
Sir William Wilde in his book, Popular Superstitions, suggests that
the lighting of these fires carried out in pagan times on the 1st
May was transferred by St. Patrick to St. John's eve in honour of
St. John the Baptist. You may still see these fires in many of the
villages in Inishowen on that night - "Bonfire night",
as it is called. It is considered lucky for young men to carry away
burning brands from the fire when they leave for home, and such
brands are sometimes thrown into the fields to bring luck to the
crops.
Numbers
There is said to be luck in odd numbers, and the mystic number
seven is regarded as being particularly lucky. Many reasons suggest
themselves: the seven days of Genesis, the seven days of the week,
the seven metals known in the ancient world, and the seven golden
candlesticks of the Apocalypse.
Again, a very common superstition tells us that it is unlucky
to sit down to a meal with thirteen at the table. If you do, the
consequence is that one of the party will die before that day twelve-month.
This belief arises from memories of Judas and a tragic supper table.
Of somewhat similar origin is the superstition that Friday -
the day of the Crucifixion - is by sailors regarded as an unlucky
day whereon to begin a voyage. Householders dislike removing
on a Saturday - "Saturday flit, short sit".
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