For centuries Scots have claimed that some of their natives have a gift for Second Sight—an ability to foretell the future, see events happening at great distances and/or detect malicious witchcraft.
Many of these beliefs eventually fell into the category of legend. Stories of such seers as the Brahan Seer and Thomas the Rhymer are most likely greatly embellished.
Indeed, the story of one seer, the young Janet Douglas, might have been relegated to fictional folklore if her story had not been included in a June 1700 letter from the very real Reverend George Hickes to famous diarist Samuel Pepys.
Hickes met Janet in person and related his meeting to Pepys.
According to Hickes, Janet was born in the Highlands in the late 1660s and possessed an ability for finding clay images which were used by witches to place curses on people.
This story is from the FATE 730 edition of FATE Magazine.
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This story is from the FATE 730 edition of FATE Magazine.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
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The Scottish Seer Janet Douglas
For centuries Scots have claimed that some of their natives have a gift for Second Sight—an ability to foretell the future, see events happening at great distances and/or detect malicious witchcraft.