The Bards, The Ovates, and The Druids
(B/ardoi te kai\ Oua/teis kai\ Drui/dai)
The Greeks have written that the area of central and northwestern Europe was inhabited largely by numerous tribes of people who, although separate from each other and often even at war amongst themselves, possessed a common culture and origins. These people called themselves "Keltoi".
They dominated Western Europe for well over a thousand years and transmitted their culture orally. Unfortunately, they seldom put their history or facts into written form, so we really don't have a lot of documented information on them, but I will try and tell you what I know.
First off, they were a highly religious and superstitious people, who from what we can tell, called upon numerous deities for nearly every aspect of their daily lives. Their deities numbered among the hundreds and were/are too many to name here.
Being such a highly superstitious race, one of the most predominant beliefs of the ancient celts was the one the Irish called "Geis", plural "Gessa", which is best translated as "Taboo or Prohibition" in gaelic. Gessa took many forms with the Keltoi and could be anything from a taboo against drinking wine on Wednesdays to not wearing your hat properly. Geis often included tests of valor, courage or strength. An example of this would be that a man is told by his Chieftain that it was geis for him to return home until he had accomplished a specific goal.
When we speak of the Celts and their beliefs, we must also speak of the Druids. They played a major role in Celtic religion. One source says that the term "druid" is most likely derived from the word "dru-uid": meaning "highly wise" or another source indicates that it was taken from the word "draoi" meaning "magician" or "druid." And the Grolier Encyclopedia of Knowledge says that it was probably related to the word "daur" meaning "Oak".
The druids were the "priests" and elders of the clan, and possessed a wide variety of knowledge that they transcribed to memory. It was their job to memorize all of the information and history of the tribe and pass it down by word of
mouth. Tradition generally placed this responsibility on certain clans or families, and through this method, family and societal histories were kept
alive through oral tradition.
A Druid's training encompassed the levels of both "Bard" and "Ovate". (defined below) Their responsibilities and privileges were to serve
as an advisor to their kings and chieftains, as judge, teachers,
ritual leaders, philosophers, astronomers, mathematicians and as an authority in matters of worship and ceremony.
The Druids were known to have had a very special relationship with nature. They believed that lifes rhythms could be worked out by the careful
observation of, and adherence to, an annual cycle. Thus they used a complex system of time-keeping based on solar and lunar cycles. See The Celtic Tree Calendar and The Coligny Calendar and The Druid's Festivals and Moons for more.
There were also three other groups that played a large part in the religious aspects of the celtic tribes. These were known as the Vergobretus, Ovates and the Bards.
The Vates were the interpreters of sacrifices, divinations and prophecies. They were the shamans and philosophers responsible for understanding the mysteries of life, death and rebirth. They also studied nature, herbalism, and the healing arts.
The Vergobretus were men who administered law cases among the Celts. Also known as Master Druids.
And the Bards (the first level of training for any of the
three paths,) were the "singers and poets" of the Celts. They were the keepers of oral tradition. They memorized stories, poems,
philosophies, histories, etc and were considered one of the most respected members of the clans. An Irish etymology of the word Bard links it to the word gur-d(h)os, "praise-giver". The Irish bards followed a training regimen
that lasted approximately 12 years.
We actually know very little about ancient celtic beliefs, except that we are fairly sure that they indulged in magick and had the highest regard for nature and the trees. What we know about calendrical beliefs is probably the best documented part of the beliefs because we have the calendar of Coligny as evidence. We can be sure that in ancient times, there was a belief in the spirits of nature and multiple deities. As far as a belief in the afterlife, what we do know is based upon quotes from others and is posted in the section on reincarnation. A short notice in Caesar's De Bello Gallico, says: "The druids teach that the soul is immortal, that it moves from one to the other after death".
Below the Song of Amergin, which tells us a bit of legend as to how the Irish first came to be on Irish soil, was said to be the first words uttered by Amergin when he first set foot on Ireland. It was a claiming of the land and the elements, as well as a challenge to the gods for ownership. Although not a large section, if you wish to learn more about this subject, you may go here: Song and History of Amergin.
I am the wind that blows across the sea;
I am a wave of the deep;
I am the roar of the ocean;
I am the stag of seven battles;
I am a hawk on the cliff;
I am a ray of sunlight;
I am the greenest of plants;
I am a wild boar;
I am a salmon in the river;
I am a lake on the plain;
I am the word of knowledge;
I am the point of a spear;
I am the lure beyond the ends of the earth;
I can shift my shape like a god.-
from the Song of Amergin |
The Three Illuminations
The Three Illuminations, another subject of interest when speaking of the druids, are Imbas Forosnai, Tenm Laida, and Dichetal Do Chennaibh. These three techniques were used to achieve "Illumination", which is called "Imbas" in Irish.
Imbas Forosnai means illumination. This was when they (the druids) put themselves into a trance like state to see visions.
They would isolate themselves like the native americans did with no food, no sound, no light, no contact of any kind. Sensory deprivation caused it. They would stay this way for days and then have someone open the door and allow a bright light like sunlight in. This caused visions or prophesies. It was sometimes done by chewing raw bloody meat while meditating and saying chants with the palms covering the eyes. I don't know what they said but I don't think it mattered. I believe they wrote their own chants or verses. Something to repeat over and over to help them focus. A word or two, nothing more.
Dichetal Do Chennaibh was Illumination through Song and it's another trance-like state that is done through chanting or singing something over and over like calling the gods name over and over. They also would dance or beat on drum. It was believed that communion with the ancestors or gods came about in this way and that this allowed prophecies.
Teinm Laegda was Illumination by Touch and it's another trance-like state achieved by relaxing and focusing and then touching. ....and another person was usually involved. The druid would do a reading on that person. He would have to meditate and fast before the person or object was brought to him. ...say something belonging to someone that was missing or kidnapped.
The Druid would touch the subject on the forehead or hold the object to discover the secret knowledge was contained within it.
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Feth Fiada
Researched and written by Andrea Pezzati
Another subject of interest is the Feth Fiada or the gift of invisibility....it is a skill of the Gods of the Otherworld, that skill enables them to see themselves each other and to see the people on this world,but prevents the men to see the Gods.Two of the Gods that ,in the myths about Cu Chulainn,shows that skill are Manannan and Lugh.
The Feth Fiada was not an usual skill for all the Druids (also in legends,only few Druids and Heroes,shows it),but its connection with Druidic's magic is very strong....moreover,it is a privilege of the Tuatha Dé Danann as inhabitants of the Sidhe,and a privilege kept with great care....these are said to be the words of Cu Chulainn about it (speaking with his friend Ferdiad) "...if the Feth Fiada would be available to the Sons of Mil,then,none of the Tuatha Dé Danann would be able,anymore, tu use the secret, or the magic". The Feth Fiada is a creation of Manannan and,due to its effects, "it is no more possible to see the princes". The literal meaning of Feth Fiada can be both "thick fog,or science's veil" and "deer's cry".
Defined as: Feth Fiada: "deer's aspect"-A spell used to create invisibility,particularly to appear as a mist."
The shamanic ability to take the feth fiada or 'deer's aspect' upon oneself, brought one within the otherworld, making one invisible to others.
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The Green Man
And one topic we don't want to forget would be "The Green Man". Who is he? Well, legend seems to identify the Green Man as the symbol of godhood within the male. He is the Oak King and considered to be a symbol of the cycle of life, death, and rebirth. And seeing as the ancient celts also revered the trees, it would seem that he must have had his beginnings here, but unfortunately we may never know the entire story. He has been depicted in many different cultures made from stone, wood etc. Sad to say, the ancient druidic culture rapidly died out, leaving behind very little for us to go on yet many of us work to keep what we do know alive and committed to memory.
Modern Druids
From my research of modern Drudism, I came up with this list of Druid beliefs. Todays Beliefs:
* As Above, So Below. (as the Universe so the soul)
* The "Microcosm (Humankind) is a miniature of the Macrocosm (The Divinity.)"
* We Believe that there has always been a Holy Trinity and that this pattern repeats itself throughout nature.
*We Believe that man is comprised of a trinity: The Body, The Mind and The Spirit.
* We Believe that the complete person is the master of these three within her/himself.
* We Believe that religion must grow as mankind's spiritual understanding grows. A religion that does not grow will die.
* Through interlocking psychic forces, Divinity exists within each man and woman.
* Souls reincarnate in order to learn valuable lessons on the path to ultimate enlightenment.
* The law of Karma governs which lessons are to be learned and in what manner.
* Each person is an individual, yet we are all kindred spirits in the search for knowledge and on the path to the infinite; therefore we should cooperate and aid one another whenever possible in the spirit of perfect love and perfect trust.
* We should avoid disputes and violence in our dealings with one another.
* The purpose of our studies is enlightenment of the consciousness which may be experienced as "Initiation", defined as stages of enlightenment or expanded awareness. It comes with the understanding of the forces of the Universe.
* We recognize various levels of this awareness and attainment with symbolic rites and degrees.
* We conceive of the Creative Power of the Universe as manifesting through polarity: as Masculine and Feminine forces; and that this same Creative Power lives within all people and functions through the interaction of Nature. We value neither the Male nor the Female above the other, but rather, believe them to be equal and necessary to one another.
* We see Science, Religion and Magick as wisdom in living, and as being aware of and in harmony with the Universe and our place within it. We acknowledge a depth of powers and understanding which is far greater than is apparent to the average person. Because it is often "unknown", these powers are often called "Occult" or "Supernatural", but we see them as that which is the potential of all humans, and indeed that of all sentient life.
* We recognize other planes of "existence" than just the physical one. We recognize the powers of interaction of these planes which provide the basis for paranormal phenomenon and MAGICK.
* We practice Symbolic Rites to attune ourselves with the natural rhythm of life forces, marked by the phases of the Moon and the Seasonal Quarters and Cross-Quarters.
* We seek affirmation and fulfillment of life in a continuation of the cycles of evolution and the development of consciousness. We seek within Nature, the universe and ourselves for that which is contributory to our physical, mental, emotional and spiritual knowledge and well-being.
* We recognize that our Philosophy gives us a unique responsibility with our environment. We seek to live in harmony with Nature, in a balance that promotes the continued development of life, and in cooperation with Nature and it's forces.
