It was magical for me to discover the Museum of Country Life in Turlough. I was entralled with the exhibit " Creideamh agus Draiocht" - Religion and Magic. Watch out, I will be putting into practice the ancient customs!
The image of the spinning wheel and iron nails from horse shoes connected with last week's Donegal Historical Society lecture in Ardara. Part of the Paddy McGill lecture series it was about the ancient temple and rites of inauguration of the Ard Ri na H-Eireann. The design from the ancient ones incorporated a wheel as part of the ritual (see my journal notes from Oct 28), and for the first time I understood the sacredness of the horse.
Discovery of the potency of red - a sacred color "dearg" no "rua" . It was viewed an unlucky to meet a red haired women while setting off on a journey. The "brad or ribin Bride" - St Brigids mantle, the patroness of cattle and dairy work. A piece of red cloth left out the night before her feast on Feb 1, would provide protection, and the power to cure headaches. The protective power of horse shoe nails - iron heated had a special protective quality.
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