The
Samhain Parshell
The
Parshell is an important Irish craft as it is the cross which keeps the
evil spirits away from your door on Samhain (Halloween) and keeps the barn animals
safe the year round. While you want to welcome the good spirits that walk the earth at Samhain you want
to be sure to guard against the bad spirits or the spirits of
your enemies! So get the Parshell made and on
your door right away! I
To learn more of Samhain customs
go here
 Materials:
1. Two sticks- 1-2 feet long.about 1/2
inch diameter
at most.
2. Tape or string to tie the sticks together.
3. Wheaten straw, similar plant material or paper
twist (I use green, purple
and tan colored twist).
Instructions:
1. Fasten the two sticks together securely at
right angles to form a cross.(use
tape or string)
2. If using twist -untwist it and flatten it
out but
not too flat-it should resemble
corn stalk/husk.
3. Attach twist or stalks to underside of one
of
the sticks or if using straw:
wedge it under one
and over the other stick starting
in the center.
4. Moving clockwise weave the twist or straw
over
one stick and under the next
going around the
cross. Stop before you get
to the ends of the
sticks- a few inches of stick
should be exposed.
5. If using twist try to use two or three colors
attaching one to the next
as you go.
Now you have your Parshell What
do you do
with it?
On Oct. 31 make the Parshell and place it over
the front doorway on the inside. The powers to
ward
off ill-luck sickness, and witchcraft and evil
spirits only
lasts one year. You can only make a new one on
Oct.31.
When you take the old one down you must take
care to
shout: Fonstarenheehy. Take
the old one out and
put it in the barn or garage over the car as
its power
is still good to help the animals and perhaps
even
protect the car in the new year.
Once you get your Parshell up you can carve your
turnip head! Go
here
How did you do? Let
me know!
Return
to the Irish Crafts Page
Return
to the Irish Studies Page
Source:Kevin Danaher, The Year
in Ireland
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