Druids
The Druids were members of the high-ranking professional class in ancient Celtic culture. Primarily associated with the Gauls, Britons, and Irish, they functioned as religious, political, legal, and educational authorities. Here is detailed information about Druids:
Historical Context
- Origins: The origins of Druidry are shrouded in mystery due to the lack of contemporary written records. Most of what we know comes from Roman accounts, which were often hostile or misinformed.
- Geographical Spread: Druids were prevalent across Celtic Europe, from Ireland to Gaul (modern-day France and parts of Belgium, Germany, and Northern Italy) and into Britain.
Roles and Functions
- Religious Leaders: Druids were priests of the Celtic religion, responsible for rituals, sacrifices, and maintaining sacred sites like stone circles.
- Educators: They were responsible for preserving and teaching the oral traditions, including laws, history, and philosophy.
- Judges and Advisors: They served as judges in disputes and advisors to kings and chieftains, often mediating in conflicts.
- Healers and Philosophers: Druids had knowledge of natural medicines and were considered wise in philosophical matters, often contemplating the nature of the universe.
Beliefs and Practices
- Animism: Druids believed in the interconnectedness of all life, with a reverence for nature, animals, and spirits.
- Cosmology: They had a complex understanding of the cosmos, including the afterlife, reincarnation, and the sacredness of certain times and places.
- Rituals: Rituals often involved sacrifices, both animal and possibly human, although the extent and nature of human sacrifice are debated.
- Divination: Druids practiced various forms of divination to predict future events or interpret omens, using methods like augury or studying the flight of birds.
Decline
- Roman Conquest: The Roman conquest of Gaul and Britain led to the suppression of Druid practices. Julius Caesar, in his "Commentarii de Bello Gallico," describes their destruction and outlawing.
- Christianization: With the spread of Christianity, many Druid practices were either absorbed into Christian customs or eradicated. The last known Druidic resistance was at Mona (Anglesey) in Wales in AD 60-61.
Modern Revival
- 18th Century Revival: Interest in Druids was revived during the Romantic movement, leading to the formation of groups like the Ancient Order of Druids.
- Neo-Druidism: Today, modern Druidry or Neo-Druidism exists as a spiritual movement, often blending ancient Celtic practices with modern ecological and spiritual concepts.
Sources
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