Druids for Community

In this compelling and highly reliable study, respected Celtic scholar Peter Berresford Ellis sifts through the historical evidence and, with reference to the latest archaeological and etymological findings, provides the first authentic account of who the mysterious Druids were and what role they played in Celtic society. The Druids emerge as the intellectual caste of ancient Celtic society, serving as doctors, lawyers, ambassadors, and advisers to kings. They also had a religious function, and Ellis describes their special Druidic training, philosophy, belief in auguries, and intriguing origins. Importantly, he also shows that the current "New Age" image of the Druids as benevolent wizards comes from a woefully inadequate interpretation of the facts.

The Druids were the intellectual elite of Celtic society, responsible for a wide range of crucial functions. As doctors, they were the primary providers of medical care, utilizing their deep understanding of the natural world and its medicinal properties. As lawyers, they were the custodians of the Celtic legal system, interpreting and applying the complex web of customary laws that governed society. In the role of ambassadors, the Druids were instrumental in facilitating communication and diplomacy between different Celtic tribes and kingdoms.

Perhaps most significantly, the Druids served as trusted advisers to Celtic kings and chieftains. Drawing upon their extensive knowledge and wisdom, they provided counsel on matters of statecraft, strategy, and decision-making. Their influence within the power structures of Celtic society was substantial, and their advice was highly sought after by the ruling elite.

In addition to these practical roles, the Druids also had a profound religious function. They were the custodians of Celtic spiritual beliefs and practices, serving as priests, ritual specialists, and intermediaries between the human and divine realms. Their Druidic training involved the study of complex theological and cosmological concepts, as well as the mastery of divination techniques such as augury.

Interestingly, Ellis also sheds light on the intriguing origins of the Druids. While their exact beginnings are shrouded in mystery, he suggests that they may have emerged from pre-existing shamanic or priestly traditions within the Celtic world. The Druids' unique blend of intellectual, religious, and political roles, combined with their esoteric knowledge and rituals, have fueled enduring fascination and speculation throughout history.

Importantly, Ellis also addresses the prevailing "New Age" depiction of the Druids as benevolent wizards or nature-worshipping ecologists. He argues that this contemporary image is largely a product of romantic imagination and inadequate historical understanding. The Druids, he contends, were complex figures who played a multifaceted role in Celtic society, not simply idealized manifestations of modern environmental or spiritual sensibilities.

In conclusion, this study by Peter Berresford Ellis provides a comprehensive and authoritative account of the Druids, drawing upon rigorous historical research and the latest scholarly insights. By sifting through the evidence and dispelling the myths, Ellis offers a nuanced and enlightening portrait of this enigmatic group, whose influence and significance within the ancient Celtic world can now be more fully appreciated.

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