Book Review: The World of the Druids

  I haven't done a book review since last month so I thought it was about time to do another. This review will look at Miranda Green's book The World of the Druids, which was published in 1997. The book is divided into 10 sections that cover everything from what we know about ancient Druids to the Druidic revival and modern Druids. Of particular interest may be the sections on Celtic cosmology and theology, female Druids, and evidence of ritual sacrifice. At 192 pages the book is fairly short and very easy to read, with an impressive selection of images (291 to be exact) that support the text.
    Green's strength is archeology so it should come as no surprise that she spends more time discussing archeological evidence than many other similar books do. This is something of a catch-22 in a book on Druidism as there is very little definitvely "Druidic" material that can be identified from ancient sites, leaving much up to guess and supposition. The advantage to the reader however is the material covered that relates more broadly to Celtic culture and can provide insight into dress, jewelry, and lifestyle as well as religion (broadly) while remaining in an easily accessible format. Unlike books that are intended to focus on archeological evidence this book largely avoids being dry or overly complicated, and is fairly easy to read and follow.
     I also liked that Green is very clear about the difficulty with many of the sources, including archeology, before offering that material. She doesn't downplay the issues that we have with the sources available to us that provide the only real information we have about the Druids. She is also clear that even defining who was and wasn't "Celtic" historically is complicated, saying, "...defining the world of the ancient Celts depends upon three categories of evidence, all of which need to be used cautiously because they are incomplete and sometimes ambiguous." (Green, p 11, 1997). She does provide a solid amount of literary references from Greek and Roman writers, as well as native Celtic myth.
     Green approaches defining the historic Druids by establishing who the Celts were at that time and what their beliefs were, and then uses that context to describe the Druids and their role in soceity. She uses archeology, Greek and Roman writings, and Welsh and Irish myths to do this. I can appreciate the value of this approach as context is vital to understanding any group functioning within a larger society, such as the Druids. The book is honestly worth reading just for the insight into Celtic culture that Green provides, but she does do a fair job of explaining the Druids' place as well.
    The book finishes up with chapters on the Druid revivial and modern Druidism, both of which are fascinating. Although not nearly as in depth as other works, of course, it does provide a good overview of more recent Druidic history and would serve as a good introduction to the topic. The focus here is on Druids in England specifically, so anyone looking for information about the Druid revivals in other areas will have to look elsewhere.
     I think that as a book on Druids this one is of moderate value, but is a better resource on Celtic culture. I can think of other books on historical and modern Druids that I would recommend first, but this one is nice in its brevity and inclusion of both historic and modern practices. I would, however, recommend it more highly as an introduction to ancient Celtic culture and religion, which is more of the book's strength than strictly Druidism. For someone just venturing into this area of study this book is a good place to start.

Thoughts on the Colloquy of the Two Sages

     One of the most important texts for modern druids to study may be the Colloquy of the Two Sages, the tale of a confrontation between the esteemed Druid Ferchertne and the recently graduated student Nede. The tale, on its surface, is a simple story of a confrontation sown by Bricriu between the elder and the youth after Bricriu convinces Nede, who is returning from training over seas, to seize a rank beyond his experience. The two Druids face off over the literal seat of contention, engaging in a battle of words and wits to test who truly deserves to sit there. In the end Ferchertne emerges the victor, but Nede’s graceful defense earns him a place as Ferchertne’s student.

     Reading this story establishes a pattern of challenge and response that is useful for all modern Druids to study. Nede’s initial actions are bold, even arrogant, as he assumes the chair of the highest ranked Druid in the land and this can be seen as the opening challenge in the coming confrontation. Nede does not approach Ferchertne as a humble petitioner, but rather by declaring his own value and assuming a place as if it were already his own. In response we see the first of Ferchertne’s challenges, not only of words but of actions and attitude as he tests Nede’s resolve and temper by speaking angrily and insulting Nede’s experience and knowledge. Nede passes this challenge by responding calmly and proclaiming his own wisdom. This, then, sets the stage for the next phase of the testing the direct question, where Ferchertne asks Nede where he is from, what his name is, what art he practices, what his tasks are, by what path has he come, whose son he is, and what tidings there are. None of these are direct, literal questions, but all are allegorical and are responded to with poetry, and each question is answered and then turned back on the elder Druid. It is only after the final question, where each man is asked to prophecy, that Nede concedes to Ferchertne and willingly proclaims him the better poet and seer and kneels at Ferchertne’s feet, at which point the older Druid asks the younger to stay on as his student. From this we can see that the importance of the period of questioning and answering as a form of testing, as well as the importance of the final acknowledgements of the student’s true place.

     In modern Druidism this pattern of challenges could be used to model actual initiation rites on; it also illustrates the vital importance of two elements within modern traditions: the student-teacher relationship, and the hierarchy of wisdom. The traditional Druidic model of teaching, as illustrated in this Colloquy, shows a student petitioning to study with a teacher, studying with that person for as long as there is knowledge to be gained there, and then moving on to find a new teacher. This is illustrated in Nede’s studying at first with Eochaid in Scotland and when that teacher can teach him no further he is sent back to Ireland where the main action of the tale between Nede and Ferchertne occurs. This is a useful model to be used today as well. The story also illustrates the importance of understanding our individual place within the greater hierarchy of our fellow Druids and both respecting those above us as well as teaching those beneath us.

     I, personally, found a great deal of beauty and inspiration in this story. The question about what art they practice gives a list of the many skills the Druids claimed including satire, blessing, poetic inspiration, storytelling, peacemaking, and teaching wisdom. The tale also showed me something of the proper balance of attitude that Druids were expected to have, both proud and assertive but also respectful and quick-witted in the face of confrontation. Nede serves as a great model to meditate on as student who is well on the way to earning fame and a place of honor. I can hold Nede before me as an example of how to react to a challenge and how to carry myself with pride while still remaining respectful of those wiser than I.

     On a final note the Colloquy is also a treasure trove of cultural references and Druidic lore that anyone interested in Druidism should take the time to study. I favor Christian Guyonvarc’h’s book The Making of a Druid: Hidden Teachings from the Colloquy of the Two Sages because of the detailed and extensive introduction, notes, and appendices. Being able to study the story with the different translations and glosses included is very useful and illuminating and offers additional insight into some of the passages. These additions, such as the extensive discussion about the seven poetic grades, are an important aspect to understand for both Druids and Celticists, or anyone else interested in Irish culture.