The ancient Irish divided the year into summer and winter—_Samrath_
and _Gheimrath_; the former beginning in May, the latter in November,
called also _Sam-fuim_ (summer end). At this season, when the sun
dies, the powers of darkness exercise great and evil influence over
all things. The witch-women say they can then ride at night through
the air with Diana of the Ephesians, and Herodias, and others leagued
with the devil; and change men to beasts; and ride with the dead and
cover leagues of ground on swift spirit-horses. Also on November Eve,
by certain incantations, the dead can be made to appear and answer
questions; but for this purpose blood must be sprinkled on the dead
body when it rises; for it is said the spirits love blood. The colour
excites them and gives them for the time the power and the semblance of
life.
Divination by fire, by earth, and by water, is also largely practised;
but, as an ancient writer has observed, “All such divinations are
accursed, for they are worked by the power of the fallen angels,
who give knowledge only through malice, and to bring evil on the
questioner. Neither should times and seasons be held lucky or unlucky,
nor the course of the moon, nor the death of the sun, nor the so-called
Egyptian days; for all things are blessed to a Christian. And this is
the doctrine of the Holy Church, which all men should take to heart....
But a prayer to God, written fine, may be worn tyed round the neck, for
this is done in a holy spirit, and is not against the ordinances of the
Church.”
The scapular here alluded to is a piece of cloth on which the name
of Mary is written on one side and I.H.S. on the other. It preserves
against evil spirits, and is a passport to heaven, and ensures against
the pains of hell; for the Blessed Virgin takes the wearer under her
especial care. It is placed in a little silk bag and worn tied round
the neck, and is left upon the dead in their coffin for the angels to
see at the resurrection. The scapular is never given to an evil liver,
so it is a sign both of a pious life here and a blessed life hereafter.