A Celtic Druid
A Celtic druids were very important people in Celtic society. Before there were Chrisianity came to Ireland, the druids acted like pagan priests, explaining the work and actions of the gods to the people. Druids came from noble families and spent up to 20 years training. Their main task was to learn by heart the sacred teachings of that went before them.
The druid alone could offer sacrifice to the gods. This was done during special festivals or as a way of thinking the Gods for a good harvest or a mild winter. Animals were killed as sacrifice although it is known that humans were also occaisionally killed. Somethimes the druids threw weapons or bronze and gold in lakes and wellls to please the gods .
The Daghda, the god of the afterlife, was the most important god. He was belived to be the husband of a goddess called Boann (from where the River Boyne gets its name). Other gods included Lug, the god of worriors, and Manannan Mac Lir, the sea god.
The druids were in charge of conducting ceremonies at Celtic festivals. There were four main festivals thoughout the year.
Samhain. This was the most important festival as it marked the beginning of a new year. The festival took place on 1 November. This day was considered not to be a part of either the new year or the year just past. Therefore it was a day of magical happenings when the living could meet the dead. Today this is known as HALLOWEEN.
Imbolc: This festival was celebrated on Feb. 1st and is called St Brigid's day.
Bealtine (May): The second most important festival. Sacrafices were made to the gods in the hope the harvest would be good. The Druids would drive cattle through the bonfires to protect them from disease.
Lughnasa: Celebrated on the 1st of August before the harvest was lifted. It was hoped the harvest would be plentiful and supply loads of food.
Druids saw nature as magical and forests were seen to be sacred especially Oak tree were special.Druids prepared potions from herbs which people used as cures.When Christianity arrived the importance of the Druids declined which made the Kings happy as they considered Druids to hold too much power.
By DENNIS DOOLEY & LIAM KYLES
The druid alone could offer sacrifice to the gods. This was done during special festivals or as a way of thinking the Gods for a good harvest or a mild winter. Animals were killed as sacrifice although it is known that humans were also occaisionally killed. Somethimes the druids threw weapons or bronze and gold in lakes and wellls to please the gods .
The Daghda, the god of the afterlife, was the most important god. He was belived to be the husband of a goddess called Boann (from where the River Boyne gets its name). Other gods included Lug, the god of worriors, and Manannan Mac Lir, the sea god.
The druids were in charge of conducting ceremonies at Celtic festivals. There were four main festivals thoughout the year.
Samhain. This was the most important festival as it marked the beginning of a new year. The festival took place on 1 November. This day was considered not to be a part of either the new year or the year just past. Therefore it was a day of magical happenings when the living could meet the dead. Today this is known as HALLOWEEN.
Imbolc: This festival was celebrated on Feb. 1st and is called St Brigid's day.
Bealtine (May): The second most important festival. Sacrafices were made to the gods in the hope the harvest would be good. The Druids would drive cattle through the bonfires to protect them from disease.
Lughnasa: Celebrated on the 1st of August before the harvest was lifted. It was hoped the harvest would be plentiful and supply loads of food.
Druids saw nature as magical and forests were seen to be sacred especially Oak tree were special.Druids prepared potions from herbs which people used as cures.When Christianity arrived the importance of the Druids declined which made the Kings happy as they considered Druids to hold too much power.
By DENNIS DOOLEY & LIAM KYLES
Druid Worship.
DRUIDS WORSHIPPING AN OAK TREE.
