The marsh marigold is considered of great use in divination, and is
called “the shrub of Beltaine.” Garlands are made of it for the cattle
and the door-posts to keep off the fairy power. Milk also is poured
on the threshold, though none would be given away; nor fire, nor
salt—these three things being sacred. There are many superstitions
concerning May-time. It is not safe to go on the water the first Monday
in May. Hares found on May morning are supposed to be witches, and
should be stoned.
If the fire goes out on May morning it is considered very unlucky,
and it cannot be re-kindled except by a lighted sod brought from the
priest’s house. And the ashes of this blessed turf are afterwards
sprinkled on the floor and the threshold of the house. Neither fire,
nor water, nor milk, nor salt should be given away for love or money,
and if a wayfarer is given a cup of milk, he must drink it in the
house, and salt must be mixed with it. Salt and water as a drink is at
all times considered a potent charm against evil, if properly prepared
by a fairy doctor and the magic words said over it.
One day in May a young girl lay down to rest at noontide on a fairy
rath and fell asleep—a thing of great danger, for the fairies are
strong in power during the May month, and are particularly on the watch
for a mortal bride to carry away to the fairy mansions, for they love
the sight of human beauty. So they spirited away the young sleeping
girl, and only left a shadowy resemblance of her lying on the rath.
Evening came on, and as the young girl had not returned, her mother
sent out messengers in all directions to look for her. At last she was
found on the fairy rath, lying quite unconscious, like one dead.
They carried her home and laid her on her bed, but she neither spoke
nor moved. So three days passed over. Then they thought it right to
send for the fairy doctor. At once he said that she was fairy struck,
and he gave them a salve made of herbs to anoint her hands and her
brow every morning at sunrise, and every night when the moon rose; and
salt was sprinkled on the threshold and round her bed where she lay
sleeping. This was done for six days and six nights, and then the girl
rose up suddenly and asked for food. They gave her to eat, but asked
no questions, only watched her that she should not quit the house. And
then she fixed her eyes on them steadily and said—
“Why did you bring me back? I was so happy. I was in a beautiful palace
where lovely ladies and young princes were dancing to the sweetest
music; and they made me dance with them, and threw a mantle over me of
rich gold; and now it is all gone, and you have brought me back, and I
shall never, never see the beautiful palace more.”