Druidry is by no means a new creation, having a history that spans centuries, even if the modern version that we’re familiar with is far different from what our ancestors once practised.
Throughout the ages, there have been a number of famous druids that left such a mark on the people and communities around them that they became legendary in their own right.
Druidism has a wealth of knowledge and symbols attached to it. Getting to know some of the symbols attached to this belief can be a great way to better understand the mindset and meaning behind, not just the typical Celtic cross, but other more intricate and less commonly used imagery.
When people hear “druid,” they may picture either form of The Wicker Man, or possibly a gathering of radicals outside of Stonehenge. Notwithstanding, the historical backdrop of the druids ranges back millennia.
We’ve all had a long day at the office, only to be stuck in traffic for hours on end, and by the time that we get home, we long to escape from it all and live out in the forest.
Unfortunately, and much to the surprise of many, living out in the forests is not as easy as it seems, and it can be a hard and difficult life that most are not really prepared for.
The term ‘druid’ refers to a member of the learned class among the ancient Celts. These people acted as priests, teachers as well as judges.
The earliest-known records of the Druids come from the 3rd century BCE. Their name might have come from a Celtic word that means “knower of the oak tree.” Very little is known for certain regarding the Druids, who kept absolutely no records of their own.
A high-ranking member of ancient Celtic culture, Druids were an esteemed bunch of literate individuals. Living in Gaul around 1200-600 BC, their membership was made up of medical professionals, lawyers, engineers, mathematicians, and politicians. Druids were divided into three sections – the Ovates who practiced medicine or foretold the future, the Bards who told stories and made music and the Druids who were philosophers, teachers and judges.
Most belief systems of the modern age, no matter how old they are, are devoid of any form of violence within their tenets. For thousands of years, humans would wage war, pillage, kill, and torture in the name of their beliefs, but our modern moral compass has allowed us to worship in much more peaceful ways.
Druidry is very much the same: a peaceful belief system that centres around the worship and reverence of the natural world, but it does have both a dark and fascinating past that often included the practice of human sacrifice.
Continue reading The Ancient Druids And The Practice Of Sacrifice
While it’s not very well documented due to how much lore and information has been lost over the centuries, it’s understood that the druids of old would undergo a specific rebirth process that would reinvigorate their souls, give them new skills, and essentially turn them into new people.
Druidism is a belief system that encompasses a number of different rituals, prayers, and other aspects, each as important s the last. One that sometimes isn’t always considered by those that are new practitioners of Druidism is the importance of senses and how they can make a big difference to understanding the nature around us. Our senses are our connection to the world, to nature, and to those around us. Being able to adapt to the situation by making use of your senses, while also finding peace and solace in the world around you is a vital step when walking the Druidic path, and one that all new druids will need to try and perfect as they go forward.
The Celtic cross is one of the most iconic symbols from the region’s history. The pagans, druids and Christians have all used it as a powerful token of faith. Faith in what exactly is unfortunately unknown and what is known, is unverified. Continue reading The History of the Celtic Cross
