eòlas

"Knowledge." Also teagaisg, "teach." The name of a charm for the cure of disease in man or beast. The eòlas charm consisted of a rhyme, muttered over the sick person, and over water to be drunk by, or sprinkled over, the sick animal. To render it more impressive, its use was accompanied by trifling: little ceremonies, such as making the sign of the cross, yawning, making up mysterious parti-colored strings, getting particular kinds of water on particular days, dipping stones of virtue in water, and similar mummeries.

Typical use of the charm was to cure toothache, bruises, sprains, etc. The person going for an eòlas was not to speak a word to any one but the performer of the charm until he came home again. The reason for this is found in a biblical verse, 2 Kin. 4:29, where Elisha says to his servant Gehazi: If you meet anyone, do not greet him, and if anyone greets you, do not reply.

A charm for curing the evil eye is called eòlas cronachaidh, for sprains and dislocations eòlas an t-sìochaidh, for bruises eòlas brùthaidh, for consumption eòlas caitheamh, etc.

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