The World of the Druids

by Aldhouse-Green, Miranda J.

• ISBN13: 9780500050835
• ISBN10: 050005083X
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 1997-06-01
• Publisher: W W Norton & Co Inc

Summary

The white-clad Druid wielding a golden sickle and conducting secret ceremonies in remote forest glades is a familiar figure in art and literature. But just how accurate is this view when compared with actual evidence from the past? In this authoritative account, Miranda Green unravels the truth about the Druids. Examining the archaeological evidence, Classical commentaries, and early Welsh and Irish myths, she shows that the Druids were fully integrated into Celtic society, fulfilling varied and necessary roles both secular and religious. Roman writers are seen to reflect the double standards of an invading society, condemning as barbaric the public sacrifice of enemies by the Druids while accepting as civilized their own sacrifice of Christians to the lions. Yet the Classical sources can be used to reveal the real Druids. We learn of their multiple roles as judges, teachers, healers, magicians, philosophers, religious leaders, and fomenters of rebellion. With sections on the Classical texts, archaeological evidence, Druidical sacrifice, and female Druids to name a few, this book traces the history of the Druids from their beginnings in the midst of Celtic times up to their resurrection during the Renaissance period, which has so heavily influenced the Druids of today. Modern Druidism and its links with Stonehenge and Avebury receive full coverage. A directory of Druidical societies reveals that this is now a worldwide phenomenon with groups operating from Australia to America. Special features throughout the book range from Lindow Man--was he the victim of Druidical sacrifice?--to William Wordsworth the Druid. Complete with timeline and gazetteer, this imaginatively illustrated book will appeal to all those--student, traveler, or spiritual seeker--who are fascinated by the Druids and their world.

Table of Contents

I FINDING THE DRUIDS	8	(16)
How Do We Know About the Druids?	8	(2)
The Druids in Celtic Society	10	(1)
The Geography of the Celtic World	11	(3)
An Outline History of the Druids	14	(4)
The Oak and the Mistletoe	18	(2)
Timeline for Druidism	20	(4)
II THE CELTS AND THE SUPERNATURAL	24	(16)
The Nature of Celtic Religion	24	(2)
The Celtic Pantheon	26	(3)
A God in Every Place	29	(2)
Druids in Context	31	(1)
Druidic Organization	32	(2)
Ceremonies and Festivals	34	(3)
The Farming Year	37	(3)
III THE DRUIDS IN CLASSICAL LITERATURE	40	(16)
The Chroniclers	40	(4)
Druids and the Social Order	44	(2)
Healers and Magicians	46	(2)
The Druids and Education	48	(2)
Philosophers and Scientists	50	(1)
Immortality and Rebirth	51	(1)
Druids and Romans	52	(4)
IV DIGGING UP DRUIDS	56	(16)
Priesthoods in European Prehistory	56	(2)
Images of the Druids	58	(2)
Ceremonial Regalia: Badges of Office	60	(4)
Gifts to the Divine Powers	64	(2)
Cauldrons and Holy Water	66	(2)
Death, Burial and the Afterlife	68	(4)
V SACRIFICE AND PROPHECY	72	(22)
The Concept of Sacrifice	72	(2)
Sacrifice in Action	74	(2)
Ritual Murder	76	(2)
Flesh for the Gods	78	(2)
Bodies in the Bog	80	(2)
The Danish Bog Victims	82	(3)
Animals as Sacrificial Victims	85	(3)
Divination: Telling the Future	88	(2)
Prophets and Oracles	90	(4)
VI THE FEMALE DRUIDS	94	(14)
Women in Celtic Society	94	(3)
Druidesses and Wise Women	97	(1)
Witches and Magic	98	(3)
Priestess and Prophetess in Irish Myth	101	(2)
Virgin Priestesses	103	(5)
VII SACRED PLACES AND THEIR PRIESTS	108	(16)
Sacred Groves and Pools	108	(2)
Shrines and Temples	110	(2)
The Sacred Spring at Bath	112	(3)
Priests in Celtic Sanctuaries	115	(3)
The Sacred Healers	118	(2)
Enclosing Holy Space	120	(4)
VIII DRUIDS IN IRISH MYTH	124	(16)
The Learned Class	124	(1)
The Early Myths	125	(3)
Cathbadh of Ulster	128	(2)
Sacral Kingship and Druidic Prophecy	130	(4)
Druidism and Christianity	134	(6)
XI DRUIDS RESURRECTED	140	(20)
The Druidic Revival of the Renaissance	140	(2)
Stukeley and His Peers	142	(2)
The Stonehenge Connection	144	(2)
Realists and Romantics	146	(4)
Druids as Illustrated	150	(2)
Birth of a Welsh Myth	152	(4)
Druids, the Eisteddfod and Welsh Identity	156	(4)
X DRUIDS TODAY	160	(20)
Neo-Paganism and the Old Religion	160	(2)
Witches and Druids	162	(4)
Ceremony and Celebration	166	(3)
Modern Druid Organizations	169	(3)
Stonehenge Prohibited	172	(5)
The Modern Druid Doctrine	177	(2)
Guardians of the Planet	179	(1)
Directory of Modern Druid Organizations	180	(2)
Gazetteer	182	(2)
Further Reading	184	(2)
Acknowledgments	186	(2)
Index	188