Celtic Traditions; The Carmina Gadelica

The volumes of Gaelic Folklore, 'Carmina Gadelica' which Alexander Carmichael collected between 1855 and 1899 provide evocative insights into the relationsip between the crofters of old, their animals and their land. The collection of prayers and charms for blessings on the beasts on whose safety and welfare that of their owners depended tell us much of the ancient animal husbandry and of the importance of the relationships between ourselves and our environment.

Here are a few which we drew inspiration from.

Loom Blessing
Beannachd Beairte

Consecration of the Cloth
Coisrigeadh an Aodaich

The Chant of the Warping
Duan Deilbh

The Clipping Blessing - Go shorn and come woolly
Am Beannachd Lombaidh - Falbh lom's thig molach

Guarding the Flocks
Gleidheadh Treuid

Reaping Blessing - God, bless Thou Thyself my reaping
Beannachadh Buana - Dhe beannaich fein mo bhuain

Ho, my Heifer! - The night the Herdsman was out
Ho m' Aghan! - Oidhche sin bha 'm Buachaill

The full volumes can be read at www.smo.uhi.ac.uk/gaidhlig/corpus/Carmina