Post by Senbecc on Apr 28, 2006 19:05:46 GMT -5
I decided I wanted my work back...from "the other site" so here it is.
Irish texts, and lore tell us that Anu (Dana, Danu, etc.) is the mother of the Gods. There is NO dissembling as to the status of the goddess in ancient Ireland. The equality of men and women through Brehon law in all Celtic culture exeeded that of many parts of the "civilized" world of the times. However what can we hope to learn from this goddess centered Celtic society? There is a lack of consensus in the interpretation of what hard (like archaeolgical) evidence survives. Irish literature also had branching schools of interpretation and undoubtedly some modern fiction as well (like the mists of avalon).
In the Lebor Gabála Érenn, each of the 5 invaders is led by a host of Druids who help in the task of colonization, seeking sovereignty in the form of the goddess of the land (mother to the gods, as well as every other living energy on earth). This has lent credibility to the notion that Druidry has it's roots in and contains parts of the earlier the practices and traditions of the earlier mega-lith building folk who are "mythicized" in the early texts as the Tuatha Dé Danann, Fomoraig, and the Firbolg . Little is known of them but they bare a shadowy presence through-out early Irish texts, and may be the source of certain elements within Irish myth. Druids and their super-human feats in their epic magical contests, using spells in legions, invoking dark mists, raising storms, bringing showers of fire and blood down from the skies, are all ancient Shamanistic powers that reveal a Druids essential unity to the elements who's queen is Anu herself.
Now...Early sources (native and classical) also speak of Druidesses or Ban-Drui..The story of the comming of Lugh, Lugh's father Cian in a moment of extreme need "went then to a woman Druid" Birog of the mountain for help. Of the Tuatha Dé there were two great Ban-Drui Beonill and Danann are mentioned in the mythological cycle- The ancient mother Goddess Boann (mother of Oengus and the name of the river Boyne) and Anu, Danu, Dana the mother of the gods herself named as Druidesses. Also Babd, Macha, and Morrigan the celtic triple goddess of battle and death.
Several authors give the pre-celtic origins of Druidry to the women in a female centered, mega-lithic cults suggesting that modern day Druidesses may spring from an even older liniage than Druidry it's self!
Many of the greatest Celtic heros of later Celtic legend were trained by women as well (woman warriors, and battle goddesses). Such as Cú Chulainn at the hands of Scathatch and Lancelot in keeping the Lady of the lake. Celtic women also fought right along side the men as equals, and were especially respected for their powers of magic and clairvoyance. Vopiscus (third century c.e.) records a tale where the emperor Diocletian consulted a certain Druidess while staying in a tavern in Gaul. The woman fortells his success.
This as well as a host of other account seem to prove that there were seeresses among the Celts as highly respected for their abilities as any Druid.
Perhaps there was an organized cult of Druidesses, priestesses in their own right. Seperate or inter-relating with the Druids, and it may be that the rites and practices of the Ban-Drui are indded of a more ancient extraction.
Separate? Maybe...But always equal.
-_Shrek_
Ex Member
Irish texts, and lore tell us that Anu (Dana, Danu, etc.) is the mother of the Gods. There is NO dissembling as to the status of the goddess in ancient Ireland. The equality of men and women through Brehon law in all Celtic culture exeeded that of many parts of the "civilized" world of the times. However what can we hope to learn from this goddess centered Celtic society? There is a lack of consensus in the interpretation of what hard (like archaeolgical) evidence survives. Irish literature also had branching schools of interpretation and undoubtedly some modern fiction as well (like the mists of avalon).
In the Lebor Gabála Érenn, each of the 5 invaders is led by a host of Druids who help in the task of colonization, seeking sovereignty in the form of the goddess of the land (mother to the gods, as well as every other living energy on earth). This has lent credibility to the notion that Druidry has it's roots in and contains parts of the earlier the practices and traditions of the earlier mega-lith building folk who are "mythicized" in the early texts as the Tuatha Dé Danann, Fomoraig, and the Firbolg . Little is known of them but they bare a shadowy presence through-out early Irish texts, and may be the source of certain elements within Irish myth. Druids and their super-human feats in their epic magical contests, using spells in legions, invoking dark mists, raising storms, bringing showers of fire and blood down from the skies, are all ancient Shamanistic powers that reveal a Druids essential unity to the elements who's queen is Anu herself.
Now...Early sources (native and classical) also speak of Druidesses or Ban-Drui..The story of the comming of Lugh, Lugh's father Cian in a moment of extreme need "went then to a woman Druid" Birog of the mountain for help. Of the Tuatha Dé there were two great Ban-Drui Beonill and Danann are mentioned in the mythological cycle- The ancient mother Goddess Boann (mother of Oengus and the name of the river Boyne) and Anu, Danu, Dana the mother of the gods herself named as Druidesses. Also Babd, Macha, and Morrigan the celtic triple goddess of battle and death.
Several authors give the pre-celtic origins of Druidry to the women in a female centered, mega-lithic cults suggesting that modern day Druidesses may spring from an even older liniage than Druidry it's self!
Many of the greatest Celtic heros of later Celtic legend were trained by women as well (woman warriors, and battle goddesses). Such as Cú Chulainn at the hands of Scathatch and Lancelot in keeping the Lady of the lake. Celtic women also fought right along side the men as equals, and were especially respected for their powers of magic and clairvoyance. Vopiscus (third century c.e.) records a tale where the emperor Diocletian consulted a certain Druidess while staying in a tavern in Gaul. The woman fortells his success.
This as well as a host of other account seem to prove that there were seeresses among the Celts as highly respected for their abilities as any Druid.
Perhaps there was an organized cult of Druidesses, priestesses in their own right. Seperate or inter-relating with the Druids, and it may be that the rites and practices of the Ban-Drui are indded of a more ancient extraction.
Separate? Maybe...But always equal.
-_Shrek_
Ex Member