Page:Shetland Folk-Lore - Spence - 1899.pdf/149



Selecting an open space, the nettles are unloosed, and twelve of the number are placed end to end so as to form a circle. They are counted out backwards, while the following formula is slowly repeated:

Two of the remaining three nettles are now placed in the centre of the circle in the form of a St. Andrew's Cross. The two noralegs are also stuck into the claith in the form of a cross. Then with the noralegs in the one hand and the odd nettle in the other, she takes