Part 3

URINE AS PREVENTATIVE 135

A BURNT OFFERING 140

CHARMS. (STRING) 141

UISGE A’ CHRONACHAIDH (WATER OF INJURY) 151

STONES AND WATER 167

IRON AND WATER 172

WOOD AND WATER 175

SALT AS CURE AND PREVENTATIVE 176

MOST SUITABLE WATER 181

TABOO WHEN IN POSSESSION OF WATER 184

WATER, WHERE APPLIED 192

ODD CURES 195

HONEYSUCKLE CURE 195

CAT CURE 196

RUBBING HAIR THE WRONG WAY 196

CHANGING THE FIREPLACE 197

THE POWER OF A CHILD’S MUTCH 197

WHISKY CURE 198

LEAD DROPPING 198

AN EYE FOR AN EYE 200

SHOWING WHO IS THE MISCHIEF MAKER 205

PUTTING ELSEWHERE 214

APPENDIX 219

INDEX 225

EVIL EYE

INTRODUCTION

The Evil Eye is a superstition arising not from local circumstances, or peculiarity of a great or small division of the human family, but is a result of an original tendency of the human mind. The natural irritation felt at the hostile look of a neighbour, still more of an enemy, is implanted in the breast of all, however much they may be influenced by moral teaching. When we add to this the feeling that some valued possession has attracted the coveteous desire of another, the fear of loss is added to the irritation of mere anger. To some such natural feeling we must ascribe the belief in an Evil Eye.

Theories of an origin more restricted, founded on the fear of loss or damage to particular possessions of individuals guaranteed them by the custom of law, developed in the community of which they form part, scarcely satisfy after inquiry. Where a subsistence can be easily procured the Evil Eye would be little regarded in connection with food, but might naturally develop itself in connection with the relations of the sexes. No doubt the latter, the most interesting to individuals of all passions, causes feelings of hostility between rivals universally, but where the food supply is difficult to procure one would naturally expect that damage from the covetous desires of others, where they seemed to affect the life-preserving store, would become equally important.