Читать книгу 366 Celt: A Year and A Day of Celtic Wisdom and Lore - Carl McColman - Страница 58

Like Cathbad, at least some seers did enjoy a reputation for prophecy in the popular understanding of revealing the future. Two of the best-known prophetic seers, both from Scotland, were Thomas of Erceldoune (also known as True Thomas or Thomas the Rhymer) and Coinneach Odhar, better known as the Brahan Seer. Thomas lived in the thirteenth century, and according to legend was a bard whose skill with the harp caught the attention of the fairy queen. She approached the harper, beguiled him into being her lover, and whisked him away to the otherworld for seven years—and in return for his being a good sport, gave him the “gift” of an ever-true tongue (in other words, of being forever unable to tell a lie). Four centuries later, the Brahan Seer made a series of predictions about everything from technology to politics; but after telling a local noblewoman about her husband’s infidelity, he was repaid with accusations of witchcraft that led to his execution. Obviously, a seer’s life comes with its share of danger!