31/10/2025
The Parshell (or Irish Samhain Cross) is a traditional charm woven on Oíche Shamhna, Samhain Night, to protect the home and household through the year ahead. Made from two rowan twigs bound with red thread and sometimes also woven with wheaten straw, it wards off the mischief of the Sídhe and any ill luck.
When the new Parshell is hung above the doorway, the maker recites:
“An donas amach, is an sonas isteach, ó anocht go dtí bliain ó anocht”
(Misfortune out, good fortune in, from this night until a year from tonight).
Old Parshells are then moved to the rafters, shed, or byre, as a new one takes their place. A quiet act of protection and blessing, carried through the generations of Samhain nights in Ireland.
I’ve been making these for years, keeping this tradition alive, and have a number of old ones that will soon move out to the sheds. Now is time to visit the Rowan tree, offer a small gift, and ask if she has any twigs to share for this year’s Parshell.
