Can anyone explain in layman's terms what Druid is?

Question

I've looked it up and don't really understand it.

Answer 1

In the pre-Christian era of Celtic culture, the Druids were members of a professional class in which their society¹s religious and spiritual life was embodied. In their time, Druids filled the roles of judge, doctor, advisor, magician, mystic, and religious scholar, among other roles. They were the philosophers, scientists, theologians, and intellectuals of their culture, and the holders of the sum of knowledge for their age.

Blessings )O(

Answer 2

A druid, is commonly associated with the Celtic Priesthood.

however a Druid does not have to be a priest, and a priest does not have to be a druid.

a Druid, was a educated person, it took 20 years of training to recieve the title of druid.

the druid was a history keeper, a bard, a philosopher, a theologist, a doctor, a herbalist, an arbitrator of disputes,
and many times a priest. and also many times a leader of a community. to sum up waht a druid was is a very hard thing to do simply because druids were so diverse. they studied their own religious beliefs as well as the beliefs of their neighbors and any land that they were traveling through. many stories tell of Druids actually participateing in the rituals the religions of the various lands that they traveled through.

Answer 3

The Druids were names for the priests (the wise ones) of the Celts, the ancient peoples of moder day Europe, the UK, and Ireland. Their religion was based on many gods and followed a calendar year of religious seasons. Wisdom was passed orally, never in written form, so very few people know exactly what the Druids taught. It was suppressed by the Romans and was almost extinct by the 6th century.

Answer 4

The druids were many things historically, priests, judges, musicians, poets, teachers, and students. Today's Druid is something different, while still many of the above (and always a student). Druidry is less a religion, more a way of life, of thinking. And, it's more then can be explained in this flimsy little box. I suggest going here:

Answer 5

Druids were part of one of the three social ranks of ancient Celtic culture. They were the intelligencia, filling the roles of judge, historian, scientist, lawyer, diplomat, advisor, and yes, priest. They were reputed to have magical powers (such as calling storms, having shamanic visions, etc.) They officiated over public ceremonies, counseled individuals, and advised kings and chieftans.

The Romans and Greeks recorded a lot of information on them, but the records are somewhat suspect, given the Greco-Roman views on writing - they tended to write history "as it should have been", according to thier views, and not always based on fact. However, as someone else said, they were reputed to have studied up to 20 years, learning history, geneology, and a variety of other materials, which they were expected to remember in an oral culture.

They were an integral part of the culture, not seperate from it, and their religious beliefs were the beliefs of the tribes that they were a part of.

Answer 6

According to Celtic myth a druid held magical powers somewhat like a mage. I believe there is some religion mixed in with it also.

Answer 7

A druid was an acient Celtic Priest

Answer 8

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Druidism is a religion of the Celtic culture.

The religion is based in respect for nature, life, and a commitment to the life cycle.

Druids believed in spirtual representations of astronomical bodies (sun, moon, wind, sea), and the nature (oak groves, rivers, mountains). They also honored Celtic deities.

So simply a druid would be a believer in Druidism!

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Answer 9

A member of an order of priests in ancient Gaul and Britain who appear in Welsh and Irish legend as prophets and sorcerers.

ETYMOLOGY:
From Latin druids, druids, of Celtic origin; see deru- in Indo-European roots

Answer 10

A druid was the priestly class in the ancient Celtic society.