The Druids
The Celtic people have a long history. They have been portrayed in films and other such forms of entertainment many times over. They are seen as a mystery to most. They are shrouded not only in their hooded cloaks but also in mysticism. Since Christian times Druids have been depicted as wizards, sorcerers, and soothsayers. In Pre-Christian times, however, they were revered as philosophers, judges, educators, historians, doctors, seers, astronomers, and astrologers.
The word "druidae" is Celtic in origin. It is said to be derived from the Greek word "drus", meaning "oak", and the Sanskrit word, "Vid", meaning knowledge. The Oak tree was a sacred tree to the Celts. In the Celtic social class the title of "Druid" was given to men and women who possessed the "Oak Knowledge."(www.crystalinks.com)
The druids emerged when the Celtic people had no choice but to live in harmony with nature simply because they lived in nature. The druids were the religious intelligentsia of their culture. They were the judge, doctor, diviner, mage, mystic, and clerical scholar of their clan. To become a druid initiates studied for a period of up to 20 years. Writings have shown druids who were capable of powerful magic such as prophesy, control of the weather, healing, levitation, and shape-changing. Druidic training was so harsh that upon completion they were a plethora of knowledge. (crystalinks)
Druid magic comes from an intimate relationship with nature and the gods. A druid senses and understands the pattern between all living things and uses this knowledge to communicate with the gods. Druidic magic is actually the giving up of an offering to the gods in return for some gift. Some examples of druidic magic are aisl...
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...e represented bounty and fertility. The river Boine is said to spring from the udder of a mythic cow owned by the river goddess Boann. (druidslife)
One of the problems with practicing Druidism now is that the Druids were subjected to a number of persecutions by many different nations and religions. Much of what the Druids could have taught us have either been censored or lost. The Druids also took up refuge in Ireland for a short while so their practices must have adapted to the new and different environment. A person seeking to worship and practice as the Druid's would have to sift through a potpourri of different sources to reconstruct a faith.
Bibliography:
Works Cited
Druids Life. http://www.druidslife.net/druid.html
Myers, Brendan. The Druids were the Priests - Magicians - of the Celtic people.
http://www.crystalinks.com/druids.html
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