In Scottish cosmology, sacred waters such as our sea and rivers are more than elements; they are animated by their own spirits and present to us gateways to profound wisdom, spiritual insight, and personal power. Water is life and wise rulers go out their way to protect it. This connection is pivotal in folk belief and folk magic and reflects deeper poetic metaphorical narratives about transformation and our ability to change. Seas and Rivers are never the same shape twice, constantly shifting. By examining Scottish and Gaelic tales and traditions, we see how water acts as a catalyst for growth,…
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In the mountainous highlands and rugged borderlands of Scotland, the ancient belief in the evil eye, known as the “uncannie eye” or “ill eye” still lingers, casting a shadow over folklore and daily life. For centuries, Scottish folk have whispered of the malicious power carried by envious glances, capable of withering crops, souring milk, or striking down livestock. Rooted in both Gaelic and non-Gaelic traditions, the evil eye, air-an-cronachadh has been blamed for misfortune, illness, and mysterious deaths, making it a central theme in Scottish folk magic. From rowan charms to self-deprecating blessings, generations have crafted rituals and protections to ward off…
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Deforestation is a global problem. One caused by human action – a tiny fraction of our native forests remain in Scotland. Human connection to the history of deforestation in Scotland is complex. Every now and again, when you saunter amongst the peat you may come across a great stump of gnarled oak or pine, buried deep in the bog. Bog wood. The ghost of a forest once was. Bog wood is used in a few of our folk magic practices but not many. Sometimes the Bog wood will be charred and burnt black when found and begs the question how…
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Fastern’s E’en or Fasterns Een is a festival in Scotland, held on the Tuesday before Lent, otherwise known as Shrove Tuesday. Fastern E’en comes from Scots. Fastern’s E’en is also known as fastern-, fastren(‘s)-, fasten(‘s)-; fasting’s- (Sc. 1750 W. McFarlane Geneal. Coll. (S.H.S.) II. 138), festern(‘s)- (ne.Sc. 1952), festerns-even (Kcd. 1700 Black Bk. Kcd. (ed. Anderson 1843) 119), festereven (Abd. 1829 A. Cruickshank Poems 34), fosterneen (Cai.7 1950). The form fasten alone is found (Sh. 1866 Edm. Gl.) and the variant comb. fastern’s night (Sc. 1805 Scott Last Minstrel (1821) IV. vi.). In English Fastern’s E’en is known as Shrove…
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Scottish healing wells or stroopie wells hold a deep and long history. Stroopie comes from the Gaelic word tobar-shrùbaidh meaning healing well the last word shrùbaidh sounds like stroopie. We know from archaeology and other deposits throwing of gifts and offerings into bodies of water, wells, bogs, lochs, rivers and springs has been going on for a very long time and its still present in some living traditions today. Water is also part of the ideas of Scottish Cosmology and deep reverance in our myths and lore. In Scotland a lot of wells once associated with healing have been associated with…
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Dàir na Coile is a fascinating tradition one we have very little written about. Dàir na coille I have come to love though. Its a counterpoint to consumerism – an invitation to pause and links back into the cyclical idea nature and our dead returning on the wind and brining in new life for spring We are in the deep of the dark months of the little sun, of long shadows, storms and misty valleys. Moving into darker times comes with so much hype and pressure today but it wasn’t always like this. This year with endless war coverage and…