Tuesday, December 11, 2012

Featured Author Week With B.J. Scott


Win a Highland gift set and chat 
with author B.J. Scott
this week at the Book Boost!



She's here to discuss the origins of second sight and here's what she had to say...

When the Celtic people emigrated from Ireland to Scotland, along with their Celtic religion, they brought with them a strong belief in, fairies, superstitions, myths and legends. This resulted in a culture that was governed by rituals intended to bring good luck, blessing, to promote prosperity, to help them to select a mate, to influence crop yields, increase fertility, and to protect them from evil and tragedy.

Simple day-to-day activities, things like how to plant a field, to lead a cow, the order in which ingredients were added to a pot, and direction it was stirred, the proper way to celebrate feasts and sacred days were all carried out according to legendary practices. Breaking with tradition or going against the myth meant you were inviting trouble. Many a tale was told of those who had done just that and the grave consequences.

Perhaps one of the most prevalent beliefs of the Celtic people living in the Highlands was in the “gift of second sight.” The Gaelic name for this form of precognition was dà shealladh, which translated means two sights, was the ability of a person to not only see the world as all normal humans do, but they also had the skill to see the spirit world. Called a gift by some, it was often seen by those said to possess these abilities as a curse.

The taibhs (spirits) beheld by the taibhsear (person with second sight) in what was referred to as astaibhsearchd (the act of precognition) usually foretold of unhappy events and often of impending death. Sometimes the premonitions were clearly observed in a vision depicting the event exactly as it would unfold—a noose around someone’s throat, someone submerged in water and struggling to catch a breath, or a headless man—but more often the events were seen symbolically.

The shroud, the corpse-candle or spectral illuminations, each held a specific significance.  The shroud of death and where it was wrapped around a person’s body indicated how long they had to live. Draped around the middle or below, meant death might not occur for months or even a year, but the higher it was the sooner the death would occur.  Wrapped around a specific part of the body could signify they way they would die. A full funeral procession, the way being lit by corpse-candles and other illuminations was also viewed as a sign of impending demise. If a spark of fire was seen falling upon someone’s arm or breast, this indicated the dead of a child, especially if seen in the arms of that person.  Seeing an empty seat when someone was sitting in it was a sign that sudden death was near.

The knowledge of when and where a person would die, to see the demise of friends and family, or simply being aware of people’s nature in general was a heavy burden to carry and often feared.  Even though the visions came on them without warning and was not by choice, the person with second sight often found themselves living in solitude. Be it by preference or forced upon them.

While thought to be hereditary, second sight was known to skip a generation or two and then reappear. When it might strike or who would be afflicted was never known for certain. Not all visions were of tragedy. On occasion, happier events were seen. If a woman was seen standing at a man’s left hand there was a good chance she would be his wife, even if he was already married at the time of the vision. If more than one woman was seen, the one closest to the man’s left hand would be his next wife.

A Note from the Book Boost:  This is very interesting stuff.  Interesting and creepy!  I love the idea and can't wait to read how it finds its way into your new release coming out next week, Highland Quest, please tell us more about that!

Blurb:

Tired of walking in the shadows of his two older brothers, and on a quest to make a name for himself, Bryce Fraser  rejoins the fight for Scottish independence. But he arrives too late to warn his fellow patriots of an ambush.

Wounded in the confrontation, Bryce awakens to find Fallon MacCrery, the only woman he has ever truly loved, and never thought he would see again, tending his wounds—a twist of fate that rekindles passion, and prompts him to question his destiny.

Can their unspoken love withstand the test of time and war, or will the laird of an enemy clan–an English ally who is bent on destroying them both–tear them apart forever?


Want More B.J. Scott?


Visit her on the web here:  http://www.authorbjscott.com/ 


Highland Quest coming December 19th to Soul Mate Publishing!


Contest:




Leave a question or comment for B.J.  any time during this week and be entered to win a copy of Highland Legacy or Highland Quest (releases 12/19/12).  The winner will also receive a book thong, regular book mark, a key chain, a can cooler and a pen. 




33 comments:

B.J. Scott said...

Thanks so much for hosting me this week Kerri.

HIGHLAND QUEST WILL BE AVAILABLE ON DEC 19TH, Highland Legacy, the first book in the series is available now in print or ebook.

I am looking forward to spending the week here and interacting with your visitors.

Cynthia Gail said...

I was just thinking about this (again) today. Been waiting sooo long for your sequel. Can't wait!

B.J. Scott said...

Thanks for stopping by Cynthia.
I know it seems like forever, but only one week to wait and the sequel will be out ;)

C. T. Collier said...

Thanks so much for the background on second-sight. My Irish grandmother was said to have it, and it has always fascinated me. I'm really interested to see how it plays out in your series :-)

B.J. Scott said...

Thanks for stopping by Kate. I was told my Scottish Grandmother had it too. Like you, I always found it facinating. Check out my trailer if you want a little more of a sneak preview
http://youtu.be/P-T5WWSFBGI

Darcy Flynn said...

One week and it will be here! So excited for you! Can't wait to read Highland Quest!

Anonymous said...

Congrats on the new release!
~Jamie

Anonymous said...

(sigh) I just love a man in a kilt.

B.J. Scott said...

Thanks Darcy.

I am excited about this book and currently working on the third.
Thanks for stopping by.

B.J. Scott said...

Thanks for stopping by and your best wishes Jamie!

B.J. Scott said...

Hi Connie
And Jimmy Thomas in a kilt makes it even nicer. While kilts were not worn in this time period and not mentioned in the book, the coverartist gave me a choice of Jimmy in a kilt or a castle. NO contest lol. I figured the readers would be forgiving. ;)

Ann Montclair said...

Wishing BJ all the luck in the world. :) Highland Legacy was just the beginning of what I'm certain will be a long and illustrious career in writing.

Callie said...

Best of luck with Highland Quest, Barb. It's a great story.

B.J. Scott said...

Thanks Ann. Always apprecaiate your support.

B.J. Scott said...

Thanks Callie. Appreciate you stopping by and your kind words.

Cathy MacRae said...

Congratulations, B.J.! Can't wait for the book to come out. Great post about second sight. I enjoyed it.

Sandy L. Rowland said...

Always love your books, BJ. The idea of second sight showing up at odd moments and portending death would make the seer an unwelcome guest. I'm sure people would rather run and hide than take the chance of learning their end, unless that's what they were after.
A most interesting post. Will the talents of the sighted change with each book in the series?

B.J. Scott said...

Thanks for stopping by Cathy. I find the topic of Second sight very interesting. Must be my Scottish/Irish heritage lol

B.J. Scott said...

Thanks so much for stopping by Sandy. Calling second sight a gift was not so in the eye of the person who had it. Some where tried as witches and others shunned or feared. In Highland Legacy we met Fallon, the healer who cared for Cailin, and the woman who catches Bryce's interest. She has the gift and it plays a role in the sequel since it is Bryce and Fallon's story ;)

Jennifer Page (JC) said...

Hi B.J. Love the topic!! I have to jump in and add my Grandmother as well...in fact she knew within three days of her husbands passing...and he spoke of the visions he saw for those three days. I also experienced this with my own death. Oh, another story!


B.J. Scott said...

Hi Jennifer
Thanks for sharing your experiences with second sight. It is a mystery how some people can see/know these things and how strong the belief still is in some cultures. I once read we all have some degree of precognition but some are more aware of it than others.

Unknown said...

I loved Highland Legacy. Can't wait to read Highland Quest.
Good luck with your books.

B.J. Scott said...

Thanks Janna!

Glad you enjoyed Highland Legacy. Only a short wait until Highland Quest. One week today!

B.J. Scott said...

For those interested in reading Highland Legacy, the first book of the series. It is on sale for two weeks at Amazon, Barnes and noble, kobo and Soul Mate publishing for $2.99!

AM Bishop said...

I LOVED BJ's first novel Highland Legacy so you know I can't wait to pick up the next one in the series. The story sound like a real page-turner.

Unknown said...

So excited for you B.J! I just know this book is going to be wonderfully received!

B.J. Scott said...

Thanks for dropping by and your kind words AM. Hope you enjoy the next book. Working on the third now.

B.J. Scott said...

Thanks Adrienne.

You always hope readers will enjoy your book, espcially if they liked the first one. Thanks for stopping by.

Sarah Hoss said...

We have books coming out on the same day! YAH!

You and I have been talking for a long time about our books and I am so excited for you and your success. You deserve it sweetie and I can't wait to read Highland Quest!

Donna Shields said...

What a great lesson. I love learning new things, especially about my origins (I'm Irish, Scottish, and Canadian French).

B.J. Scott said...

Thanks Sarah!
Thrilled to share a release day and about your other release in the new year.

B.J. Scott said...

Thanks Donna. Like you, I lovr learning new things about my ancestry.

B.J. Scott said...

The winner of the draw for a book download and book gift pack is Adrienne Clark!!
Congrats Adrienne and thanks again for stopping by and leaving a comment

happy holidays!!!!!!!!!!