Those who marry in autumn will die in spring.The yew-tree, the ash, and the elder-tree were sacred. The willow has a
mystery in it of sound. The harp of King Brian-Boru was made of willow-
wood.
When a servant leaves her place, if her mistress gives her a piece of bread
let her put by some of it carefully, for as long as she has it good luck will
follow her.
TO ATTRACT BEES
Gather foxglove, raspberry leaves, wild marjorum, mint, camomile, and
valerian; mix them with butter made on May Day, and let the herbs also be
gathered on May Day. Boil them all together with honey; then rub the vessel
into which the bees should gather, both inside and out, with the mixture;
place it in the middle of a tree, and the bees will soon come. Foxglove or
"fairy fingers" is called "the great herb" from its wondrous properties.
SUPERSTITIONS OF THE ISLANDS
Concerning the Dead
IT is ill luck when going with a funeral to meet a man on a white horse.
No matter how high the rank of the rider may be, the people must seize the
reins and force him to turn back and join he procession at least for a few
yards.
The three most powerful divinations are by fire, by water, and by clay.
These are the three great powers--the power that ascends, which is fire; the
power that falls, which is water; and the power that lies level on the earth,
and has the mystery of the xead, which is clay,
If a short cut should be taken while carrying a corpse to the grave the
dead will be disturbed in the coffin, for it is a slight and an insult to the
corpse.
When a death was expected it was usual to have a good deal of bread
ready baked in the house in order that the evil spirits might be employed
eating it, and so let the soul of the dying depart in peace. Twelve candles
stuck in clay should also be placed round the dying.
If two funerals meet at the same churchyard, the last corpse that enters
will have to supply the dead with water till the next corpse arrives.