DRUIDS appeared about 600 to 400 BCE. Most archeologist and anthropologist believe that Druidism arose from the various forms of Shamanism native to the areas where the Celts lived. One set of legends claim that the Druids were from a place that is now under the sea. The "Mysteries" of the Druids is not fully known. They did not allow their "Mysteries" to be recorded. What little evidence of the Druids was left by the Roman invaders. What we do know is, the Romans were in awe of the Druidic powers.

The Celtic Druids in Gaul believed their religion descended from Britain. So, Druidic students were sent to Britain to learn the Druidic doctrines. It appears that the Druids were very interested in magic and wanted to master it.

Druidian magic dealt with mixing herbs together to make a politest and tea. They also sang chants to help crops to grow. It is recorded that Druids sang songs to the sun at sunrise to help with a good day. They also sang songs to assist a king in battle. They could turn land against a sovereignty. They could call up great storms or pressing heat waves. They believed in the immortality of the soul, which at death was believed to pass into the body of a newborn child.

There are references in stories that tell of the sons and daughters being sent to other places to learn the arts. The most common reference is the country now known as Spain.

Ancient accounts claimed Druids performed the functions of priests, religious teachers, judges, and civil administrators, with supreme power being vested in an archdruid. Three classes of Druids existed: prophets, bards, and priests. They were assisted by female prophets or sorcerers, who were not given the powers and privileges of the Druids.

The Druids were well versed in astrology, magic, and the mysterious powers of plants and animals; they held the oak tree and the mistletoe in great reverence, and they usually conducted their rituals in oak forests. Archaeologists believe that the Druids probably used as altars and temples the stone monuments known as dolmens that are found throughout the areas where Druidism flourished. Here we find, Stonehenge in England antedates Druidism by many centuries.

The Druids led their people in resisting the Roman invasions, but their power was weakened by the rebelliousness of the Gallic warriors, who were envious of their political authority. The superior military strength of the Romans and the subsequent conversion of many followers of Druidism to Christianity eventually led to the disappearance of the religion the Druid followed and administered.

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