frith

frith In Scottish magical lore, an important Spell for seeing someone’s situation at a distance. The frith was probably of Norse origin. The spell could only be performed by a Frithear on the first Monday of the quarter before sunrise. The Frithear fasted in advance and performed the ritual with bare feet. He walked sunwise around a house with closed eyes until he reached the doorstep. He made a circle with his thumb and forefinger and looked through it. The first thing he saw was an omen, which he interpreted. A sacred symbol, such as two straws crossed, meant that all was well, while a man standing meant a sign of recovery. A woman standing was a bad sign.

FURTHER READING:

• Spence, Lewis. The Magic Arts in Celtic Britain. Van Nuys, Calif.: Newscastle Publishing, 1996.

The Encyclopedia of Magic and Alchemy Written by Rosemary Ellen Guiley Copyright © 2006 by Visionary Living, Inc.