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What are piseoga?
A group of friends sit around a table. One scratches their nose and exclaims, “Ah, me nose is itchy!” A few playful punches are exchanged, and everyone laughs, the bad luck seemingly averted.
Have you ever found yourself in a similar situation? Do you genuinely believe that an itchy nose means a fight is on the way, and that a quick mock fight can fend off bad luck?
These little superstitions have a way of sticking with us, passed down through generations, often picked up in the schoolyard or around the family dinner table.
âšÂ Post by Lora OâBrien, MA in Irish History
But where do these beliefs come from, and why do we hold on to them? Letâs dive into some common Irish piseoga (superstitions) and explore their meanings.
Common Irish Superstitions
As you think about it, how many of our superstitions can you recall? Some might sound familiar:
- Itchy Palms: If your palms itch, it means money is coming your way.
- Itchy Knuckles: Another sign of a fight on the horizon.
- Itchy Temples: This oneâs not so pleasant – itchy temples mean youâll soon have a reason to weep.
- Itchy Eyebrows: Get ready to enjoy a drink; it means youâll soon be drinking whiskey. (Maybe thatâs what causes the tears?)
These superstitions arenât just about itching, though. There are plenty of others tied to physical traits and everyday occurrences:
- Gap Between Front Teeth: A sign that youâll have a beautiful singing voice.
- Wide Mouth: Indicates great strength.
- Vein in the Ring Finger: Thereâs a belief that the third finger on your left hand has a vein leading directly to your heart, making it the best place for a wedding ring.
- Counting Magpies: âOne for sorrow, two for joyâŠâ – the number of magpies you see can foretell your fate.
And donât forget to wave at the magpies! Itâs believed that respectfully acknowledging them can help avoid bad luck.
(This is most likely related to a much older form of bird augury, but that’s a post for another day!)
Old Wivesâ Tales and Everyday Life Piseoga
While the original magical intent in some of these is clear, particularly when we consider divination and such, some everyday piseoga are a little more obscure.
- Black Spot on the Tongue: A sign of lying. Children were often asked to stick out their tongues so parents could check if they were fibbing.
- Spilling Salt: If you spill salt, you should throw a pinch over your left shoulder to ward off bad luck.
And thereâs plenty of advice for brides:
- Bad Luck for Brides: Marry on a Monday or Friday, wear green, or experience any mishaps like rain, a broken cup, or a dropped ring, and your marriage is said to be doomed.
Even getting licked by a dog on your wedding day was seen as a bad omen!
The Word Piseog and Its Meaning
In Ireland, the word for superstition is piseog, with various spellings, but it encompasses more than just quaint beliefs. There’s real magic and Irish Witchcraft involved at the heart of all this.
Weâre not talking about Wicca or witchcraft as we know it in NeoPaganism today. In Ireland, it was often just called ‘the Old Ways’.
PiseĂłc, (pisĂłc) (Modern – piseog, plural piseoga) – a charm or spell; used in sorcery, witchcraft: or, Superstitious practices, superstition.
So, a piseog could be a charm, a spell, or any practice linked to magic. Those who practiced these customs were called PiseogaĂ – a ‘Charm Setter’.
These were the folks who could provide helpful charms and cures, or counteract harmful piseogs placed on a person or family. But they could also be the ones casting those ill-intentioned spells.
May Day: A Time for Magic and Piseoga
Some of the most well-known piseoga are connected to May Day, or Bealtaine, which marks the transition from winter to summer. Itâs a time for change, and not always good.
A malevolent person might try to mess with your farm by mixing rotten produce into your haystacks or soil, aiming to ruin your luck.
But a wise farmer would already have taken precautions, using counter-charms to protect against such mischief.
May Day also had its positive side. Washing your face in the morning dew on this day was said to ensure a fresh beauty for the year ahead – no need for expensive lotions when you have natureâs blessings!
Now, that being said, it’s important to remember that Piseoga could be and were practiced (and protected against), at any time of the year.
Why Do We Hold on to Piseoga?
In todayâs world, these folk beliefs might seem silly. With modern science and technology, we can often explain away these old customs.
They do reflect our psychological needs though, how weâve always tried to make sense of the world around us and find ways to protect ourselves.
Some of these beliefs might have started with a bit of logic, but itâs not rationality that kept them alive – itâs tradition. When something is repeated through generations, it becomes more than a superstition; it becomes a ritual, a connection to the past.
These traditions help each new family build their own set of rituals, creating a shared bond across time.
Maybe the old piseoga really do ward off bad luck and bring good fortune. Or maybe they donât.
But before you dismiss them, remember the old Irish saying: âNĂĄ dean nĂłs, agus nĂĄ bris nĂłs.â
Donât make a custom, and donât break a custom.
A Protection Charm Using Piseoga
If youâre interested in incorporating traditional Irish piseoga into your spiritual practice, hereâs a straightforward exercise to create a protection charm.
đ Learn More About Wards and Irish Protection Magic Here
This charm can be used at any time, not just on specific days like May Day, making it versatile for your everyday needs.
Your Simple Irish Protection Charm
You will need:
- A small pouch or piece of cloth
- A pinch of salt
- A few strands of red thread or a red ribbon
- A small, smooth stone.
Instructions for Crafting Your Charm
Prepare Your Materials:
Gather the items listed above. Each has a specific role in traditional Irish piseoga. Salt is often used to purify and protect, red is a colour associated with warding off evil, and the stone represents the strength and stability of the earth.
Create the Charm:
Place the pinch of salt into the small pouch or at the center of your cloth. Add the strands of red thread or ribbon on top of the salt. Finally, place the small stone into the pouch or on the cloth.
Focus Your Intent:
Hold the pouch or cloth in your hands. Close your eyes and focus on the purpose of this charm – to protect you from harm and negativity. Imagine a bright light surrounding the items, infusing them with protective energy.
Seal the Charm:
If using a pouch, tie it closed with the red thread or ribbon. If using a piece of cloth, gather the edges and tie them with the thread or ribbon, forming a small bundle.
Activate the Charm:
Hold the charm in your hands and say the following words (or create your own version):
By salt and stone and ribbon red,
May protection surround me where I tread.
Sun and moon and stars above,
Guard my path with strength and love.
Earth beneath and sea beside,
Keep me safe on every side.
Use the Charm:
Keep this charm with you – carry it in your pocket, place it in your home, or tuck it into your bag. It will serve as a reminder of the protective energy youâve called upon, offering comfort and security in your daily life.
This simple charm is rooted in the old Irish piseoga, yet itâs adaptable to your modern spiritual practice.
By creating and using this charm, youâre not just seeking protection – youâre also connecting with the traditions and wisdom of our Irish ancestors.
What if you donât have any Irish ancestry or Irish heritage?Â
But you still feel a strong connection to Ireland, even if you canât explain it? Donât worry, we have resources for you as well.
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đTake an ancestral quest with our free 5-day series. Whether you carry Irish blood or simply have feel drawn to Celtic spirituality, this journey through Irelandâs rich heritage is for you. Connect with your past, honour your ancestors, and weave ancient wisdom into your life.
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I don’t understand what we should give our opinion on.
It’s not a requirement
Thank you Lora and co – I’ve been needing a lot of protection from psychic stalkers and parasites and I can’t seem to shake them off no matter how many wards I create. Any more protection charms, I would love to hear them and also for protecting loved ones like children (I have your Protection Warding class from Geraldine and I watched the shorter clip Lora and Geraldine created prior to the class).
Go raibth maith agat! ;o)
Hi Michelle,
This will be useful to you so – https://ogham.academy/ward