Mythology & Folklore

Spell of the Counteracting

by Anonymous (Scottish Gaelic) traditional; collected in the Highlands and Islands 1855–1899

Translated by Alexander Carmichael (1900) · From Carmina Gadelica, vol. II (1900): Incantations

Mythology & Folklore

I will pluck the gracious yarrow
That Christ plucked with His one hand.
The High King of the angels
Came with His love and His countenance above me.
Jesus Christ came hitherward
With milk, with substance, with produce,
With female calves, with milk product.
On small eye, on large eye,
Over Christ's property.

In name of the Being of life
Supply me with Thy grace.
The crown of the King of the angels
To put milk in udder and gland.
With female calves, with progeny.

May you have the length of seven years
Without loss of calf, without loss of milk.
Without loss of means or of dear friends.

MLA

Anonymous (Scottish Gaelic). “Spell of the Counteracting.” Translated by Alexander Carmichael. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/anonymous-scottish-gaelic/162/.

Chicago

Anonymous (Scottish Gaelic). “Spell of the Counteracting.” Translated by Alexander Carmichael. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/anonymous-scottish-gaelic/162/.

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