The Curse of Ceit Donn

In the heart of the Highlands, long before the modern world swept across its ancient glens and lochs, communities were tightly woven together by shared beliefs, traditions, and, at times, superstitions. One of the most striking elements of this rich tapestry is the story of Ceit Donn, a tragic figure whose life was marred by what many believed to be a curse. This narrative, while reflective of one woman's plight, is deeply embedded in the culture of the Highlands and speaks to the broader theme of how superstition intertwined with everyday life.

The Tale of Ceit Donn

Ceit Donn’s story, as told in The Long Glen, is one steeped in misfortune. Orphaned at a young age, Ceit appeared to live a relatively normal life in her Highland community. However, her fate took a darker turn when she crossed paths with the daughter of a local smith, whose life was plagued by a mysterious illness—a form of epilepsy or “falling sickness.” In an attempt to rid herself of the sickness, the smith’s daughter performed an arcane ritual, one taught to her by the notorious Wizard of Rannoch. By chance, Ceit Donn arrived at the smith’s house during the ritual and, through a series of unfortunate events, was believed to have inadvertently absorbed the illness, or "sorrow," passed on by the smith’s daughter.

From that point onward, Ceit Donn’s life was filled with suffering, plagued by the same illness that had once affected the smith’s daughter. She believed, as did many in her community, that she had become the victim of a curse—a "druidheachd," or ancient magic, that had been transferred to her unknowingly. The illness, both physical and mental, took a heavy toll, pushing her further into isolation and despair. Even though Ceit sought relief through religious interventions, including the aid of a Catholic priest who used ancient prayers to cast away her demons, her troubles only seemed to grow more severe after she broke the priest’s strict prohibition against entering a Protestant church.

This blend of mental health issues, physical illness, and the power of belief in curses reflects a broader tension in Highland life, where the line between reality and superstition was often blurred. For Ceit Donn, and many like her, the perception of being cursed may have been as real and damaging as any physical ailment.

Superstition in Highland Culture

The Highlands were a land where folklore and superstition permeated every aspect of life. From birth to death, the unseen forces of the world—both good and bad—were thought to play a significant role in human affairs. In such a setting, it’s not difficult to see how Ceit Donn’s misfortunes could be interpreted as the result of supernatural forces. The concept of curses, particularly those rooted in Druidic or other ancient traditions, was deeply ingrained in Highland culture. A simple misstep, such as walking into a ritual uninvited, could be seen as more than bad luck—it was a potential invitation for misfortune to take root.

Ceit’s initial contact with the smith’s daughter during the ritual was interpreted not just as a coincidence but as a significant, almost fated event. The words spoken by the smith’s daughter, which Ceit overheard—words invoking ancient powers and calling upon the "dooms of life and birth"—carried a weight that no one in the community would have taken lightly. The belief that these words could pass the sickness from one person to another was not just superstition; it was a cultural truth that shaped how people understood the world around them.

Additionally, the story of Ceit Donn reveals how tightly superstition and religion were bound together in the Highlands. The Catholic priest who offered Ceit temporary relief from her ailment did so using prayers and rituals that harked back to a time when Christianity was in closer dialogue with older pagan beliefs. However, the priest’s warning that Ceit should never enter a Protestant church again—lest her condition worsen—highlights the tension between different religious traditions. For Ceit, breaking this rule led to a dramatic resurgence of her symptoms, which her community interpreted as a supernatural punishment for violating the priest’s decree. Whether rooted in superstition or religious belief, the curse had taken on a life of its own.

Mental Health or Curse?

With the benefit of modern understanding, it’s possible to view Ceit Donn’s condition through the lens of mental health. The “falling sickness” described in the story is likely epilepsy, a condition that was poorly understood and often feared in the past. The episodes of illness, described as “clouds” that descended upon Ceit, bear the hallmarks of both physical seizures and psychological distress. However, in a time when medical knowledge was limited, these symptoms were often attributed to spiritual or supernatural causes.

Ceit’s belief that she was cursed may have been a form of internalized trauma. The isolation she experienced, compounded by her community’s fear of her condition, only served to deepen her belief in the curse’s power. The priest’s intervention, while offering some relief, may have provided only a psychological placebo—giving Ceit hope that her suffering could be alleviated. Yet when she broke the priest’s prohibition by entering a Protestant church, the return of her symptoms reinforced her belief in the curse. This vicious cycle of belief and illness, where each relapse confirmed her fears, is a poignant reminder of how powerful the mind can be in shaping our reality.

In modern terms, Ceit Donn’s story could be seen as a case of untreated mental illness compounded by the societal belief in curses and supernatural intervention. Her ultimate decision to take her own life—a tragedy that shocked her community—was likely the result of this overwhelming burden, one that she could not escape from, whether through faith or traditional medicine.

The Power of Belief

The story of Ceit Donn underscores the power of belief in shaping human experience. Whether Ceit was truly cursed or whether her illness had more earthly origins, the fact remains that her perception of being cursed played a central role in her life. In a community where supernatural explanations were often more accepted than medical ones, Ceit’s fate was sealed the moment she crossed the threshold of the smith’s house during the ritual. From that point on, everything in her life was filtered through the lens of the curse.

Her story reflects a broader truth about how belief systems, whether based on superstition, religion, or tradition, can have real-world consequences. In Ceit’s case, the belief in curses not only shaped her own understanding of her illness but also influenced how her community responded to her suffering. In a society where curses and blessings were thought to carry real power, the psychological and social impact of being labeled as cursed could be just as damaging as the illness itself.

Adapted from: Campbell, D., & MacBain, A. (Eds.). (1889-90). Highland monthly: A magazine forming a centre of literary brotherhood for Scoto-Celtic people both at home and abroad (Vol. 1). Northern Chronicle Office.