Alexander Carmichael (1832–1912)
Author of Carmina Gadelica: Hymns and Incantations
About the Author
Disambiguation Notice:
also known as Alastair MacGilleMhicheil
Image credit: Image from Carmina Gadelica (Edinburgh, 1900) at the Internet Archive
Series
Works by Alexander Carmichael
Ortha nan Gaidheal (Carmina Gadelica): Hymns and Incantations with Illustrative Notes on Words, Rites, and Customs,… (1900) 21 copies
The Celtic Gift of Nature: Illustrated Selections from the Carmina Gadelica in Gaelic and English (2004) 17 copies
Deirdire and The Lay of the Children of Uisne. Orally Collected in the Island of Barra, and Literally Translated.… (1914) 7 copies
Smásögur 2 copies
Keldi nägemus : valik Alexander Carmichaeli Šoti saartelt ja Highlandist kogutud palvetest ja… (1999) 2 copies
Thou harp of my music 1 copy
Behind The Iron Curtain: Recollections of Latter-Day Saints In East Germany, 1945-1989 (1996) 1 copy
The Sun Dances 1 copy
Tagged
Common Knowledge
- Birthdate
- 1832-12-01
- Date of death
- 1912-06-12
- Burial location
- Saint Moluag's churchyard, Lismore, Scotland
- Gender
- male
- Nationality
- Scotland
- Country (for map)
- UK
- Occupations
- writer
folklorist - Relationships
- Watson, William J. (son-in-law)
- Disambiguation notice
- also known as Alastair MacGilleMhicheil
Members
Reviews
A quintessential gathering of the myths, superstitions, folklore, prayers, hymns and magic of the Scots Gaelic people. Without Alexander Carmichael's research and travels much of this lore would have been long since lost and forgotten He did a great service in perserving their culture and managed to convey it in a very unbiased manner.
Prayers, cures, blessings, cursings, spells..... (although Christian ones). The strength and truth of this approach lies in its awareness of the holiness of everyday life. There's no false separation of sacred and secular, everything is of God. An inclusive, not exclusive way. I bought my copy on Iona.
Lists
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Statistics
- Works
- 28
- Members
- 570
- Popularity
- #43,914
- Rating
- 4.4
- Reviews
- 5
- ISBNs
- 32
- Languages
- 2
- Favorited
- 2
This book is a neat combination of history, folklore, prayers and blessings collected by Alexander Carmichael in Scotland in the 1800s. In a long introduction describing his experience, he says
The customs described were fascinating, and what really struck me was that there seemed to be a blessing or prayer for every occasion. I was touched that they even had blessings for their cattle as they sent them out to graze.
I highlighted a few of my favorite lines. This is one I liked, part of a blessing said while kindling a fire.
I enjoyed the poetry of the language, and I felt like I learned something too. Neat book.… (more)