Druidism
Druidism or Druidry (referred to as Neodruidry or Neodruidism by some followers) is a Celtic form of modern spirituality that generally promotes harmony with nature, often through the form of nature worship. It is considered to be a Neopagan faith.
Originally inspired by 17th, 18th and 19th century romantic movements, early neo-druidism was based upon largely historically incorrect depictions of the Iron Age Celtic druids, and has no direct relation to the ancient Celts or their culture.[1]
Beliefs and Practises
Neo-druidic beliefs vary wildly, and there is no set dogma or belief system by which all adherents follow. Main beliefs include the Earth and nature are sacred, and is worthy of worship itself.[2] For this reason many druids are pantheistic, animistic, or polytheistic.
Druidism Media
Imaginative illustration of 'An Arch Druid in His Judicial Habit', from The Costume of the Original Inhabitants of the British Islands by S.R. Meyrick and C.H. Smith (1815), the gold gorget collar copying Irish Bronze Age examples
An 18th century illustration of a wicker man, the form of execution that Caesar wrote the druids used for human sacrifice. From the "Duncan Caesar", Tonson, Draper, and Dodsley edition of the Commentaries of Caesar translated by William Duncan published in 1753.
Location of Île de Sein in the Atlantic Ocean
Druids Inciting the Britons to oppose the landing of the Romans – from Cassell's History of England, Vol. I – anonymous author and artists
Julius Caesar, the Roman general and later dictator, who wrote the most important source for the Druids in Britain
Headdress of the "Deal Warrior", possibly worn by druids, 200–150 BCE, British Museum
Croome Court, Worcestershire: Druid statue
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Related pages
References
- ↑ "Modern Druids have no direct connection to the Druids of the Iron Age. Many of our popular ideas about the Druids are based on the misunderstandings and misconceptions of scholars 200 years ago. These ideas have been superseded by later study and discoveries." Druids are also known to be very close with nature.[1]
- ↑ Harvey, Graham (2011). Contemporary paganism : religions of the earth from Druids and witches to heathens and ecofeminists (2nd ed.). New York: New York University Press. ISBN 978-0-8147-9061-8. OCLC 663102413.
More reading
- Bonewits, Isaac (2006). Bonewits's Essential Guide to Druidism. Citadel Press. ISBN 0-8065-2710-2.
- Hutton, Ronald (2007). The Druids. Hambledon Continuum. ISBN 978-1-85285-533-8.
