Druids: Origin and Traditions
The History and Mystery Surrounding Shamanic Celtic Druids
The origin of the Pagan or Shamanic Celtic Druids was documented through the years. It's been written they mysteriously disappeared. Or did they?
Origins of the Celtic Druids
Druidism is a Shamanic religion. The earliest evidence of Shamanism dates back to around 23,000 BCE, Before Common Era or BC, Before Christ. The Boiis, a Celtic tribe, were the first known inhabitants in what used to Czechoslovakia. Later, they immigrated to Austria, then Italy and, finally to what are known as the Celtic Lands – Wales, Scotland, Ireland, Cornwall and Normandy.
The ancient Greeks and Romans considered Druids to be barbarians because they were nomads and seemingly lacked what they considered to be the finer points of civilization. The three civilizations had religious beliefs in common. They were polytheistic, believed in female deities and they revered nature. The early Romans adopted Greek deities and romanized their names. The Celts adopted the Roman deities and “celticized” their names.
Religious Traditions of the Druids
Their place of worship was in secret groves surrounded by trees they believed were sacred, especially the oak. Often, likenesses of their deities were carved into the trees.
The Druids had eight major high holy days, four of which were sun festivals and depended on the length of darkness and light. The others went by the phases of the planting and reaping seasons. Druids believed in reincarnation and the holidays reflect this philosophy. The majority of the Druids celebrated the New Year on Samhain, also called Hallowe’en, on October 31st. This is the day of the last and final harvest and the day when the veil between the living and the dead is the thinnest. It is also the day of the death of the God.
Yule is the day of the winter solstice and the rebirth of the God. This is the day when darkness overcomes light. To some Druidic sects, this was the day that marked the end of the first half of the year. Imbolc is celebrated on February 2nd and is the festival of ewe’s milk, celebrating childbirth and motherhood. It is the day when it is apparent that light is overcoming darkness. Ostara, another sun festival, is the vernal or spring equinox when daylight and the darkness of night are equal. The promise of the growing season is in the air. Beltane is celebrated on April 30th and celebrates fertility and purification by fire. Seeds have been sown or will soon be, depending on the plant and the local climate. Midsummer or Litha, a sun festival, is the day of the summer solstice and the longest day of the year. It is the most magickal day of the Druid’s holy days and, to some sects, is the beginning and the end of the year and when the holly king succeeds the oak king of Yule. Lughnasa, celebrated on August 2 is the day of the first harvest. Mabon is the autumnal equinox and celebrates the second harvest. Darkness and light are equal. Next is Samhain again. The seasons are like a circle and the eternal cycle of life, death, rebirth, life, death, rebirth….
What Happened to the Druids?
There are theories about what happened to the original Celtic Druids. One is that they, like some Native American tribes, became extinct, through dying from disease, being killed off by war or both. Another is that they converted to Christianity and left the old ways behind, no longer carrying the traditions of their religion. Yet, another is that, while they appeared to be Christian converts, they still secretly practiced their religion. Another mystery of history….
