by Elaine Stutt

Alt.religion.druid was created in the fall of 1995, hiving off from alt.pagan and alt.religion.wicca, for discussion of Druids, Druidism, and Celtic culture, history, and spirituality. Elaine Stutt followed the group almost from its inception, and in this FAQ she distills a decade of community knowledge into twenty-one questions — covering who the Celts were and are, what a Druid is and who can become one, the surviving ancient texts and the debates over their reliability, the Celtic festivals, the meanings of imbas and the Otherworld, the difference between Druidism and Wicca, the nature of Ogham, and the question of human sacrifice. The FAQ reflects not her own opinions but the range of views actually expressed in the community, rendered with wit and patience.

This document was regularly reposted to alt.religion.druid as a resource for new members. The version here dates from February 2005.

This is an introductory FAQ for alt.religion.druid.

A.r.d hived off of alt.pagan, alt.religion.wicca, etc. in the Fall of 1995. It is for discussion about: Druids; Druidry/Druidism; Celtic cultures, history, religion and spirituality. Note that some, who are interested in Brehon Law and Druids as leaders of Celtic society, are only faintly interested in Celtic spirituality; for others it's just the opposite.

I'm Elaine and I've followed a.r.d almost since its inception. Because I wrote this FAQ, it necessarily reflects my interests and biases. However, my aim was neither to give my opinions, nor to give academic definitions but rather to show the range of knowledge and opinion on a.r.d. Thanks to all those who post on a.r.d for their information, opinions and websites. The FAQ consists of twenty one questions.

1. Where can I find information? Websites, Newsgroups, Books

Websites for Druidic and Celtic Pagan Organizations (checked Feb/06/2005 — some of the following have FAQs, listservs, correspondence courses):

• druidry.org — Order of Bards, Ovates and Druids (OBOD)
• adf.org — Ar nDraoicht Fein (ADF), Celtic and Indo-European
• Keltria.org — Keltria, Druidism, Celtic Earth-based religion
• imbas.org — Imbas, Celtic Reconstructionist Pagan
• druidorder.demon.co.uk — British Druid Order (BDO)
• Reformed Druids of North America
• Druidism Guide (formerly the Druidism FAQ, hasn't been posted for years)
• summerlands.com — Cyber Community, Celtic Pagan

Websites with more of a Celtic cultural emphasis:

• digitalmedievalist.com — Celtic Studies Resources, reading lists
• titus.uni-frankfurt.de/ogam — Ogam stones and interpretations
• ucc.ie/celt — University of Cork, Irish texts including translations
• siliconglen.com — Craig Cockburn, s.c.celtic, s.c.scottish
• ceantar.org — Gaelic language links
• manxman.co.im/cleague — The Celtic League, linking the modern Celtic nations of Alba, Breizh, Cymru, Eire, Kernow and Mannin

Possibly related newsgroups:

soc.culture.celtic, s.c.irish, s.c.scottish, s.c.welsh, s.c.breton; alt.spirituality.druid; alt.religion.asatru (Norse, Germanic); alt.religion.wicca; alt.pagan (huge); alt.magick; alt.mythology; soc.religion.paganism (moderated); rec.music.celtic

Books, chosen from recommendations by posters:

Historical and archaeological:

• The Celtic World — Miranda J. Green
• The Ancient Celts — Barry Cunliffe
• Celtic Heritage — Alwyn & Brinley Rees
• The Celts — T.G.E. Powell
• Pagan Celtic Britain — Anne Ross
• Pagan Celtic Ireland — Barry Raftery
• The Celts — Nora Chadwick

On Druids:

• The Druids — Peter B. Ellis
• The Druids — Stuart Piggott

Mythology and texts:

• Ancient Irish Tales — Cross and Slover
• Early Irish Myths and Sagas — J. Gantz
• Celtic Myths and Legends — T.W. Rolleston
• The Tain — trans. T. Kinsella
• The Mabinogi — trans. P.K. Ford
• Celtic Mythology — Proinsias MacCana

Modern practice:

• The Druid Way — Philip Carr-Gomm
• Encyclopedia of Celtic Wisdom — C & J Matthews
• Druid Priestess — Emma Restall Orr

2. Who are/were the Celts?

This is a touchy topic and there are many definitions.

• A culture and people defined by the archaeological remains of two cultures now in Austria and Switzerland: Halstatt (800BC to 250BC) and La Tène (+/- 430BC to 1AD). The Celts, whose language group belongs to the Indo-European family, eventually occupied lands from Turkey to Spain to the British Isles. Names of a few of the tribes were: Arverni, Treveri, Helvetii, Venetes, Silures, Caledonii. Most were conquered by the Romans by 200AD. Remnant peoples in Ireland, Scotland and Wales converted/were converted to Christianity by +/- 700AD. (Note: This definition excludes the pre-Celtic Neolithic peoples, who built stone monuments such as Stonehenge and New Grange.)

• The peoples living in the modern Celtic "nations" of: Brittany, Cornwall, Ireland, Mann, Scotland and Wales.

• Anyone, living or dead, in an area ever occupied by the Ancient Celts.

• Anyone, anywhere with a drop of Celtic blood in their ancestry.

Some opinions heard on the newsgroup: "The Celts as a people were extinct by 400AD and that's that!" / "Celtic is a style. Anyone can be a Celt, if they really feel it!" / "'Celtic' describes a linguistic group and nothing else!"

3. How do you say … in Celtic?

Dumb question, unfortunately, because there is no one Celtic language. Ask rather about: Breton (Brezhoneg), Cornish (Kernowek), Irish (Gaeilge), Scots Gaelic (Gaidhlig), Manx Gaelic (Gaelg), or Welsh (Cymraeg). There have been occasional naughty mis-translations.

The modern Celtic languages are in two groups:

• Q-Celtic, Goidelic — Irish, Scottish and Manx Gaelic, derived from Old Irish
• P-Celtic, Brythonic — Breton, Cornish and Welsh, derived from Old Welsh

(Note: Don't confuse Scots Gaelic with "Scots," a Germanic language related to English.)

4. Who were the Druids? Who are Druids now? Are there different types?

They were religious and social leaders of the continental Celts, e.g. the Gauls, as described by the Greeks and Romans. The Romans later used the same term for leaders of the Britons. General attributes assigned to Druids: they passed their teachings along orally, not by writings; becoming a Druid required a long period of study; they were excused from military service but could enter battle if they chose; they were members of an elite class which included various occupations.

Today the term is used variously. Some broad categories of types found in Druid groups:

Traditional or Organized Traditional — These derive from folk history in the British Isles and from the Celtic Renaissance/Revival of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. They consider that they come from an unbroken line. Others complain that their traditions are the result of nineteenth century invention and occultism.

Neo-Pagan Druids — This group concedes that they're not sure what the Ancient Druids did but they want to create/recreate a modern version. They study the ancient Celts and Neo-lithic peoples throughout Europe and also modern interests such as psychology and comparative religion.

Historically Accurate Druids — They limit their research to Celts only. If there's no text or no archaeological site to back up an idea, they won't consider it.

Eclectic verging on New-Age — They trip through dewey pastures seeking influences from the world round. Choices of ritual or myth are made on an intuitive basis: does it feel right, not, is it related to reality.

Political Druids — May know a fair amount about ancient Druids and Celts but think a contemporary Druid's emphasis should be on current life.

5. How can you be interested in Druids when they sacrificed humans?

The Romans sacrificed prisoners of war to their Gods but nobody expects to see human sacrifice in Rome today.

Did Ancient Celts practice human sacrifice? The answer is: yes and no. The Greeks and Romans had practiced human sacrifice sometimes during their histories so it wouldn't be all that surprising if the Celts also did. The existence of spectacular Wicker Man type sacrifices seems unlikely, given the only source is Roman military texts. From what we know, the Celts took body parts as trophies during war and most likely executed prisoners of war and criminals. However, we don't know if these acts had religious connotations, because Druids of that era didn't believe in writing down their beliefs and practices. Some are sure that the strangled "Bog Men" prove at least small scale human sacrifice. But reading the difference between "execution" and "sacrifice" in archaeological remains is difficult.

6. Isn't the "Twenty One Lessons of Merlyn" marvelous?

A flamebait question, if ever there was one. Approach carefully.

It is, evidently, a work of fiction that some admire but which contains a lot of misinformation. Those charitable toward it say it's a pleasant work of storytelling that inspired them at the time, even if they now realize that a lot of the details are wrong, sometimes laughably so. Those who think it's harmful because it spreads lies about Celtic culture loathe it so much that they practically foam at the mouth.

7. Why is Druid group X so inauthentic?

Yeah, well, they probably think you're inauthentic so be polite.

8. Were there women Druids?

No. Yes, of course! Yes. Well, maybe a few exceptional ones but...

A very small minority of those posting to a.r.d. think that leading Celtic religion is sex-linked. Many think that not only did the Ancient Druids have women Druids but they had an egalitarian society. Others, more historically inclined, will point out that whereas the Celts allowed their women more freedom than other cultures of the era, it was hardly equality as we know it. But there certainly were women Druids then and there certainly are now, two thousand years later.

9. How do you become a Druid?

There is no one authority on Druids so no one agrees. You can simply declare yourself a Druid. Not everyone will agree with you but it's been done before.

The ancient Druids had to study a long time — twelve, twenty years — and were the leaders of their people. Those following this model think you have to study a long time and be acknowledged by other Druids. Some of those who follow this model only believe in teaching face to face.

Several Druid groups have descriptions of qualifications and some offer correspondence courses. OBOD's course evidently ends up requiring three to six years of study.

Many figure that if they are interested in the practice of Druidism/Druidry then they are Druids.

10. Why isn't there more talk around here about actual Druid practices?

One reason is that newsgroups are entirely public. Another reason is that some (but not all) think rituals should be secret. List-servs, mailing lists and websites may be better places for that sort of topic. On the other hand, there have been good threads on what people do and believe. The best way to get talk going on a topic is to post on it yourself.

11. Isn't Wicca Celtic?

Check on a Wiccan site for a definition of Wicca. Generally, around here, Wicca is considered to be a modern, neo-pagan religion, with myths and practices derived from many sources. Some of those sources are Celtic but it's usually quite in the minority. Celtic Wiccans try to stick to Celtic sources but still, their core beliefs are handed down from Gerald Gardner and he wasn't trying to be Celtic. A lot of things reputed to be Celtic are not.

12. Are Druids polytheists or pantheists? Monotheists?

The ancient Celts seem to have been polytheists. There are many gods and goddesses identified with the Celts. After the Gauls, Belgae and Britons were conquered by the Romans, there were hybrid forms. When the Irish adapted Christianity, the idea of a monotheist father god plus son and saints seems to have fit into a Druid framework fairly easily, at least initially.

On a.r.d. there have been: polytheists, dualists, monotheists, pantheists, atheists and nature worshippers. This can be a very sensitive subject. Agnostic types and true believer types can hurt each other's feelings without even meaning to.

13. Is Nature important to Druids?

• "It's everything to Druids."
• "Of course it was important to Druids, they lived in the forest but let's discuss something more interesting."

The Celts had to read the seasons so they could plant their crops; had to know where to find wild plants if the crops failed; had to know birds and their habits for divination; had to know which tree produced good wood for spears or yokes or buckets; had to know the habits of animals for hunting and fishing; had to know the earth so they could find ores for their tools and weapons and jewellery.

Some figure the modern Druid should know a lot about nature and spend time in the Wild. Some figure that a well educated adult should know a fair amount of science including environmental studies but, since most people now live in cities, the focus of Druidic studies and discussion should be history and ethics. Some worship Nature. Some romanticize Nature. Some live in nature. Some mine it as a source for symbols. Some abstract it and assign it a place in their philosophy.

14. Didn't the Romans kill all the Druids? How can there be real Druids today?

The Romans conquered Celtic peoples over a period of several hundred years. Some areas, Ireland and most of Scotland, were never entered by Roman armies. Other areas were nominally conquered but never consolidated on a day to day basis.

There is frequent reference to a Roman text by Tacitus about a battle in Anglesey, Wales. The idea is that Anglesey was a headquarters of Druids, that many Druids were killed. Countering this are those who say Tacitus is misquoted; Anglesey didn't seem important; and there were Druids mentioned in Roman texts after this time. Also, there's no evidence for the Celts having many inter-tribal structures (except perhaps in Gaul under Roman rule), so it is very unlikely that Druids in Ireland, Scotland, etc. would have stopped existing due to Roman activities in other countries.

The Irish pagans converted quite peacefully to Christianity beginning in the fourth century. There were no wars. Initially it was quite a hybrid form where Druids and filidh seemed to have retained some power. It has been argued that in some eras, Christianity was strongly influenced by Celtic thought.

15. What are Meso-Druids?

In the 1800s and 1900s there were fraternal organisations called Druids. These organisations were modelled on the Masons — some of the first of these "Druids" were also Masons. They were a response to the Celtic Revival; Celtic things were cool and a little naughty. In their own mythology, they had a link to Druids of old but this is hard to see. They remained Christian in thought and considered Druidry a philosophy. Much of their Celtica was invented not researched. However, this often fanciful interest in Druids did encourage legitimate study of the Celts. Years later OBOD was founded by some former Meso-Druids and it now has a more neo-pagan and Celtic outlook.

16. Are there any surviving ancient texts that refer to the Celts?

Yes and no.

Yes, there are Roman, Irish and Welsh texts that are very important because they give us important details about the life and history of the Celts and enable us to interpret and date archaeological findings.

No, because, other than some Roman, Gaulish and Irish stone carvings, no original texts survive. What we have are copies, partial copies and quotes. The copiers were Christian monks. Some assume the monks cleaned up and Christianized the texts; others say the monks were pretty conservative about texts and usually just copied them.

Roman Texts — Written over about eight hundred years by people who conquered and colonised the Celts. Key authors: Polybius (c204-122BC); Poseidonius (c135-50BC); Julius Caesar (100-44BC); Strabo (c64BC-AD21); Livy (59BC-AD17); Lucan (AD39-65); Pliny (AD23-79); Tacitus (cAD55-120); Dio Cassius (AD155-230+); Ammianus Marcellinus (cAD330-395).

Irish Texts — The earliest extant Irish texts have Christian content. Many Pagan works appear as copies in later collections. Source books include: Book of the Dun Cow (Lebor na hUide), 12th C; Book of Leinster (Lebor Laighneach), before 1160; Yellow Book of Lecan, late 14th C; Book of Ballymote; Book of Lismore; Book of Armagh.

Key texts in law, geography, grammar: Dindshenchas (History of Places); Coir Anmann (Fitness of Names); Brehon laws; Coire Goriath (Cauldron of Poesy); Sanas Chormaic (Cormac's Glossary).

Key heroic tales and sacred stories: Cath Maige Tuired (Second Battle of Moytura); Tain Bo Cualnge (Cattle Raid of Cooley); Aislinge Oengus (Dream of Angus); Longas mac n-Usnig (Fate of the Children of Uisneach); Fled Bricrenn (Bricriu's Feast); Lebor Gabala (Book of Invasions); Tochmarc Etaine (Wooing of Etain); Buile Suibhne (Intoxification of Sweeney); various Imrams, e.g. Voyage of Bran.

Welsh texts — Generally later than the Irish texts. Key collections: Black Book of Carmarthen (late 12th C); Book of Taliesin (c1275); White Book of Rhyddech (c1325, contains the Mabinogion); Book of Anerin (c1250, the Gododin); Red Book of Hergest (1375-1425).

17. What are the festivals of the Druids?

In which Celtic culture? Which era? Generally, current Druids celebrate similar festivals to other neo-pagans: the solar festivals and the quarter festivals. It seems that the ancient Celts did not celebrate the Equinoxes or Solstices but they were aware of them. The cross-quarter or fire festivals are:

• Samhain (Celtic New Year / All Saints) — Nov. 1st, celebrated on Oíche Shamhna (Hallowe'en)
• Imbolc or Brigid (Candlemas) — Feb. 1st
• Bealtaine (May Day) — May 1st, celebrated on Oíche Bhealtaine (May Eve)
• Lughnasadh or Lúnasa — Aug. 1st

Some feel it is appropriate to celebrate the festivals according to the lunar calendar, on the full moon. Whereas the quarter festivals are more important, some current Druids also observe the solar festivals. The ancient Celts lived only in the Northern Hemisphere; their descendants in the Southern Hemisphere reverse the date seasonally.

18. Is Druidism/Druidry a form of religion, spirituality or philosophy?

Don't ask. If you must, bring your tights, mask and wrestling garb.

• Religion includes spirituality, culture, ritual, myth and philosophy. It's a rich mix and if you listened to ME, you could learn the Truth.
• Religion is bossy people trying to impose their own views. Spiritual people are peaceful. Religion is responsible for wars! You Are AN IDIOT!
• Druidry is a philosophy. We have no need to impose our views like you distasteful lot. A Druid could be a Christian or a Buddhist...
• Ayeee!!! Christians are the worst, they're killing the planet! EVIL!
• See! You've been corrupted — Evil is a CHRISTIAN concept. Zen Nut!
• Etc. etc. etc. Repeat.

19. What are Ogham? Aren't they runes?

Runes are an ancient Nordic/Germanic alphabet, with a symbol for each letter. Ogham were Celtic — more of a code or marking system; three lines for one letter, four for another. They were carved in Ireland, Scotland, Wales and Mann, roughly between 200 and 600 AD, usually in short messages in Old Irish, pertaining to memorials or boundaries.

Irish texts contain references to counting sticks and memory markers that may have been Ogham cut on wood. No archaeological examples have been found — it could be that the wood versions preceded the stone ones by hundreds of years. Whereas there are no references in the Nordic Sagas to runes being used for divination, nowadays they are so used; similarly, Ogham are now used by some for divination, inspiration, and spiritual guidance. The Tree Alphabet is used to identify the letters, and many long lists of correspondences are possible.

20. What's Imbas? Awen? How about the "Otherworld"?

Imbas is an Old Irish word meaning "poetic inspiration." In current use it seems to mean: divine inspiration, spiritual understanding and/or inspired knowledge.

Awen is a more recent, Welsh-derived word meaning roughly the same.

The "Otherworld" refers here more to a spiritual understanding or realm, arrived at perhaps with imbas. It is a concept held by a variety of opposing groups on a.r.d. Having an Otherworld experience could mean: that you have communed with the gods, the elders or with spirits; that you have become one with the cosmos; that you understand and can connect with the basic is-ness of existence. All agree it is something that must be experienced to understand and that it can't be explained.

21. Netiquette — very briefly

1. Be polite. Be thoughtful. Spirituality and ethnicity are sensitive issues and you know nothing about the person you address.
2. Don't re-post an entire, long message. Include only the part you are replying to.
3. Keep your line lengths to 70-80 characters.
4. If you enter a thread in mid-stream, check out the beginning on groups.google.com or just be very careful. It can be very difficult to tell who wrote what.
5. If you must cross-post, limit it to three groups related to the topic.
6. Post no response to obnoxious, off-topic, multi-cross-posted threads.
7. If you really need to have a protracted fight with your arch-enemy, take it to email. It's off-topic.
8. Newsgroups are public. Post nothing you wouldn't want your current boss, future boss, etc. to see.

Colophon

Written by Elaine Stutt and posted to alt.religion.druid on 7 February 2005. Elaine had followed the newsgroup almost from its founding in 1995, and this FAQ distills a decade of community knowledge into twenty-one questions. It was regularly reposted as a resource for new members.

Preserved from the Usenet archive for the Good Work Library by the New Tianmu Anglican Church, 2026. Original Message-ID: [email protected]

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