druidism

Druidism is a term used to describe both the historical role of the Druids in ancient Celtic societies and the modern revival of Druidic-like spirituality. In antiquity, Druids were a priestly class or social group present in parts of Gaul, Britain, and Ireland. Our knowledge of their beliefs and practices comes mainly from external sources, such as Greek and Roman writers, who describe Druids as custodians of learning, legal mediation, religious rituals, and political influence. The exact origins and meaning of the word druids are not certain, and interpretations vary.

The historical record offers limited and often contested details about Druid practices. No contemporary Druid texts survive from the ancient world, and the accounts that exist may be biased or incomplete. Descriptions of rituals, sacrifices, or specific beliefs differ across sources, leading scholars to view many aspects of Druidic life as elusive. Following Roman expansion and the ensuing cultural transformations, Druids largely disappear from written records by late antiquity, and their precise organization and rites remain a matter of debate.

In modern times, Druidism, or Druidry, has developed into a diverse, nature-centered spiritual movement. Contemporary practices commonly emphasize reverence for the natural world and the changing seasons, including solstices and equinoxes, often organized around a wheel of the year. Participants may honor trees and sacred groves, study Celtic myths and symbols, and engage in rituals, music, and storytelling. The movement comprises a range of groups and individuals with varying beliefs, from polytheistic and pantheistic to non-theistic or nature-focused approaches. Notable organizations include the Order of Bards, Ovates and Druids; the British Druid Order; and the Druid Network. There is no single governing doctrine, and practice is highly pluralistic.