Fortson's Signs, Symbols, and Secret Societies: Druids

The Druids, the enigmatic high-ranking priestly class of the ancient Celts, continue to capture the human imagination. Their history, however, is largely a study of external perspectives; a mosaic pieced together from the writings of their Greco-Roman contemporaries and later medieval Irish literature. This lack of first-hand accounts is not due to a lack of literacy, but rather a doctrinal prohibition against writing down their sacred knowledge, opting instead for a rigorous oral tradition that could take up to twenty years to master. Consequently, the true depth of their philosophy, the intricacies of their rituals, and their subjective worldview remain largely shrouded in mystery.

What we do know paints a compelling picture of a powerful and sophisticated social order. Far from being mere pagan priests, the Druids were the intellectual backbone of Celtic society, serving as religious leaders, legal authorities, judges, teachers, healers, lorekeepers, and political advisors. They were a non-combatant class, exempt from military service and taxes, a status that underscored their immense prestige and influence. Their role extended to arbitrating disputes between individuals and tribes, even in times of war, often acting as mediators and ensuring the maintenance of social order.