The Right-Hand Turn (Deiseal).—This was the most important of all the observances. The rule is “Deiseal(i.e.the right-hand turn) for everything,” and consists indoing all things with a motion corresponding to the course of the sun, or from left to right. This is the manner in which screw-nails are driven, and is common with many for no reason but its convenience. Old men in the Highlands were very particular about it. The coffin was takendeisealabout the grave, when about to be lowered; boats were turned to sea according to it, and drams are given to the present day to a company. When putting a straw rope on a house or corn-stack, if the assistant wenttuaitheal(i.e.against the course of the sun), the old man was ready to come down and thrash him. On coming to a house the visitor should go round itdeisealto secure luck in the object of his visit. After milking a cow the dairy-maid should strike itdeisealwith the shackle, saying “out and home” (mach ’us dachaigh). This secures its safe return. The word is fromdeas, right-hand, andiul, direction, and of itself contains no allusion to the sun.
The Right-Hand Turn (Deiseal).—This was the most important of all the observances. The rule is “Deiseal(i.e.the right-hand turn) for everything,” and consists indoing all things with a motion corresponding to the course of the sun, or from left to right. This is the manner in which screw-nails are driven, and is common with many for no reason but its convenience. Old men in the Highlands were very particular about it. The coffin was takendeisealabout the grave, when about to be lowered; boats were turned to sea according to it, and drams are given to the present day to a company. When putting a straw rope on a house or corn-stack, if the assistant wenttuaitheal(i.e.against the course of the sun), the old man was ready to come down and thrash him. On coming to a house the visitor should go round itdeisealto secure luck in the object of his visit. After milking a cow the dairy-maid should strike itdeisealwith the shackle, saying “out and home” (mach ’us dachaigh). This secures its safe return. The word is fromdeas, right-hand, andiul, direction, and of itself contains no allusion to the sun.