Druidry
Druidry or Druidism was the religion of the ancient druids, the "priestly class" in ancient Celtic society. Modern attempts at reconstructing druidism are often called Neo-druidism.
Druids used to not only take the part that a modern priest would, but were often the philosophers, scientists, lore-masters, teachers, judges and councillors to the kings.
Our historical knowledge of the druids is very limited: much oral material is claimed to have its origins in antiquity, but there are also (problematic) classical sources in Latin and Greek. According to many of these, the druid teaching was split into three "grades":
- Bard - who was taught how to read and write, but more importantly was taught the poetry and lore of the time. Bards were the keepers of lore and were expected to know by memory all the myths, legends, history and even bloodlines of the land.
- Ovate - one who was taught herb-lore and the "deeper secrets"
- Druid - one who has learned much lore and begun to use it to teach others, counsel and function as a judge in the affairs of others.
There are a great number of Druid groups in Britain, Europe and America, with varying claims to (and interest in) the historical traditions.
See also: Stonehenge, Order of Bards, Ovates and Druids (OBOD).
