druid

A Druid was a member of a high‑status, learned class in certain Celtic societies of Iron Age Europe, notably in Ireland, Britain, and parts of Gaul. Druids served as religious specialists, teachers, and arbiters who transmitted knowledge, performed sacred rites, and mediated disputes. They were closely connected with sacred groves and oral tradition, with training focused on laws, poetry, astronomy, and natural philosophy.

The word’s origin is uncertain. Old Irish druí appears in Insular sources, while Gaulish forms are less certain. Some scholars link the term to an association with oak trees or oak knowledge, reflecting a reputed connection to sacred trees, though explanations vary. Our principal information comes from classical authors such as Julius Caesar, and later writers like Pliny and Tacitus, plus Irish and Welsh medieval texts. These accounts emphasize ritual sacrifices, divination, and political influence, but they also reflect Roman biases and Christian interpretations.

In practice, Druids operated within customary law and ritual calendars tied to agriculture and the seasons. They are said to have presided over trials, funerals, and other communal ceremonies, and to have possessed wide knowledge of the stars, natural history, and poetry. Their authority and functions appear to have varied by region and era.

Decline followed Christianization and political restructuring in the late antique and early medieval periods, reducing the public role of Druids. In modern times, the term is used by revivalist and neopagan movements that draw inspiration from Celtic myth and nature spirituality, often emphasizing environmental stewardship and ceremonial gatherings rather than a direct continuation of ancient practices.