FOLK-LORE ARLY in the present century many superstitious beliefs and observances were common in Shetland which are now altogether forgotten, or only to be found lingering in some outlying districts. The old world ways of the Shetlanders have given place to a new order of things. Our domestic, social, and industrial life is conducted on different lines. Hence it is evident that even the remembrance of the times of our forefathers will pass away for ever with the present generation. It is hoped that this humble attempt to embalm on the printed page these recollections of the past will meet with the approbation of every lover of the "Old Rock." Of all classes, fishermen appear to have been most superstitious. No doubt this arose in a great measure from the nature of their hazardous and precarious calling. The ever fitful wind and changing sea, the lottery of fish catching, the imminent peril and hairbreadth escapes to which they were exposed, fostered a belief in the supernatural. When a fisherman left his house to proceed to his boat, it was considered most unlucky to call after him, even though he had left something very essential behind; and he was very particular as to meeting a person by the way, lest they should have an "evil eye" or an "ill fit." It was considered a good omen to meet an imbecile or a person deformed from the birth. These were called "Gude's pör," and were suitable aamas bairns. After meeting one of such, if the voyage had been at all pros perous, they were rewarded with an aamas or kjoab. The person who attempted to cross a fisherman's path when on his way to the boat, intended to do him scathe. When such was really done, the fisherman, on coming to the point of crossing, took out his skön or tullie (sea knife), and made a scratch on the ground in the form of a cross, uttering (together with a spittle) the word twee-te-see-dee. The sign of the cross was considered an antidote against. the intended evil, and the spittle an emphatic expression of contempt for the unchancy hag. If one When a crew assembled at their boat at the beginning of the season, each man had his "ain lug o' da taft," or seat for pulling, and this order was never altered. had occasion to pass from one part of the boat to another, it was considered very unlucky to go between a man and his kabe. On leaving the land the boat was always turned with the sun-from east to westnever in the opposite direction, which was termed widdershins. The movements of witches were always made against the sun, and by whirling a wooden cap in water or a hand-mill on a bare looder (wooden bench on which the mill rested), they were supposed to be able to raise the wind like Furies, and toss the sea in wild commotion capable of destroying anything afloat, from a cock boat to an armada. But to return to the fishermen. Their chief subject of conversation the weather forecasts. The older and more experienced men would read the sky and explain the various appearances, and there is little doubt that from keen observation they were able to foretell the weather with considerable accuracy. They pos sessed a stock of weather lore of which we, in these days of barometers and storm-signals, know little. The movements and conduct of certain birds and animals were looked upon as prognostics of the weather. For example, to hear crows crying after sunset foretold the coming day to be fair. The flight of the rain goose (the red-throated diver) was particularly noticed. When this bird was seen flying in an inland direction the weather was likely to be favourable, but when its flight was directed towards the sea the opposite was expected. Hence- "If the rain göse flees ta da hill, Ye maun draw up yir boats an flee." Cocks crowing or the hens stirring abroad while rain is falling is a sign that it will soon be fair. Flocks of snaa fowl (snow bunting) seen before Winter Sunday (the last Sunday of October) foretell the approach of a severe winter. A cat sitting with her back to the fire indicated cold weather, and washing her face with both the fore paws was a sure prognostic of coming rain; but when puss was observed sleeping on her harns (head turned down), fair weather might be expected. |