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druids

Druids and Celtic Deities

Shared Pantheon: Druids worshipped and served the same gods and goddesses venerated by the Celtic people in their respective regions. They were deeply connected to the Celtic pantheon, and their rituals and ceremonies often centered around these deities. Figures like the Dagda, Brigid, Lugh, and Morrigan would have been integral to their religious practices.

Roles and Rituals: The Druids were responsible for conducting the religious ceremonies which were heavily intertwined with the calendar and agricultural cycles. For instance, they played a crucial role during the four major Celtic festivals—Samhain, Imbolc, Beltane, and Lughnasadh—each of which was connected to different deities and seasonal changes.

Secretive Practices: Much about the specific religious practices of the Druids remains unknown due to their tradition of oral transmission; they did not write down their rituals or beliefs, which were instead passed down through generations verbally. This method ensured a sacred secrecy but also means that our understanding is based on archaeological evidence and accounts from outsiders, primarily Roman.

Roman Influence: After the Roman conquest of many Celtic lands, there was a syncretism where the Celtic deities were frequently equated with Roman gods and goddesses. Druid practices also evolved during this period, potentially incorporating some Roman elements, although core elements of their worship and rituals likely remained rooted in Celtic tradition.

Preservation of Knowledge: Druids were also seen as the keepers of knowledge, including the lore concerning deities and myths. They were likely deeply knowledgeable about the stories, attributes, and powers of various Celtic gods and goddesses, and this knowledge would have informed their rituals and the counsel they provided to Celtic leaders.

In summary, the Druids did worship the same pantheon as the other Celts but likely had a more intricate and profound understanding of these deities due to their roles as religious leaders. Their practices, while based on common Celtic beliefs, might have included more complex rituals and ceremonies, the specifics of which are largely lost to history.

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