If you’re going to use the word “deasil,” meaning “clockwise,” you should also know the word “widdershins,” meaning “counterclockwise.” “Deasil” came into English in the 18th century from the Scottish Gaelic word “deiseil,” meaning the same thing, but it can be traced back to the Latin “dexter,” meaning “right.” While the adverb refers to a clockwise movement, it originally referred to movement that appeared to move in the direction of the sun’s course (from east to west when facing south in the Northern Hemisphere).