Shetland Folk-Lore
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:
“Da twal, da twal Apostles;
Da 'leven, da 'leven Evangelists;
Da ten, da ten Commandments;
Da nine, da brazen shiners;
Da eight, da holy waters;
Da seven, da stars o' heaven;
Da six, Creation's dawnin';
Da five, da timblers o' da bools;
Da four, da gospel makers ;
Da tree, da triddle treevers;
Da twa lily white boys that clothe themselves in green;
Da een, da een dat walks alon', an' evermore sall rue.”
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
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