A _Sop seilbhe_, or “Possession Wisp,” was burned on land, of which possession was to be taken at Whitsunday. The wisp was of fodder or heather. The burning of it on the land, as already explained, insured possession (_bha e ceangailte aige tuille_). _Céitein_, MONTH OF MAY. This is the month of which Beltane day, O.S., forms the centre, and consists of the last fourteen days of spring, and the first fourteen days of summer. Its derivation is from _ceud_, first, it being the beginning of the summer season. It is identical with the present month of May. “Better is snow in May, than to be without rain” (_’S fhearr sneachda sa Céitein na bhi gun uisge_). The month preceding Beltane was called _Céitein na h-òinsich_, “the May-days of the silly one,” the word _òinseach_ denoting both a silly woman and a cuckoo. The habits of the bird, which has no nest of its own, and goes about all day aimlessly uttering its peculiar note, has earned for it the reputation of being silly, as is witnessed also by the Scotch word _gowk_, and premature glimpses of fine weather are supposed to mislead it as to the advent of May. WHISTLING WEEK. _Seachdain na feadaireachd_, the whistling week, is the first week of summer, and the name is in allusion to the loud, whistling winds, that are apt to occur at the time. It is unlucky during it to proceed with field operations. _Màigh_, MAY. The name _Màigh_, for the first month of summer, is quite common in the Highlands, and is to be found in songs and proverbs. This is mentioned as shewing incontestably that Roman (or rather ecclesiastical) notations of time were adopted into the ancient Celtic calendar. THE AVOIDING DAY OF THE YEAR. (_Latha seachnach na Bliadhna._) This is the third day of summer, and its name is almost the only part of the beliefs concerning it, that now survives. The writer searched far and wide for an explanation of the name, and only once heard one that was satisfactory. It was on this day that the fallen angels were expelled from Paradise, and on it people should avoid doing any kind of evil. If caught in the act, they will be similarly expelled from the regions of forgiveness, and be visited with “judgement without mercy.” If it falls on a Friday, it is unlucky to go on a journey. Pennant says about it, “The fourteenth May is unlucky, and the day on which it falls.” _Caingis_, WHITSUNTIDE, PENTECOST. This and Martinmas are the two principal term days in Scotland, at which half-yearly servants enter on their duties, and at which removals take place. At Whitsunday term (old style) especially, the 25th of May, the towns of Scotland present an animated appearance from the number of removals, or changes of residences. The streets are crowded with household goods being removed from one house to another. Tenants at will are removed and leases expire at this term.