Women's Roles in Druidism

Ancient Druidism is thought to have originated with the ancient Celtic people. However, because Druidism is a mostly oral tradition, there is little historical record to irrefutably pin down the origins of ancient Druidism.

Druidism is considered a pagan religion, whose followers put their faith in many different gods and goddesses. Druids also strongly believe in reincarnation. Druidism is still practiced today, although beliefs and practices may vary from that of their ancestors.

It is a common misconception that in the ancient tradition only men could become Druids. However, this is simply untrue. In ancient Druidism women most certainly could, and did become Druids or Druidesses. It was not until the Druid reformation in the 17th and 18th centuries and the coming of Christianity that Druid orders were formed banning women from their membership. In modern Druidism women are once again seen as equals and commonly play important roles within the religion, including the role of Druidess.

While ancient Druidism can most certainly not be defined as a strictly patriarchal tradition, it cannot truthfully be defined as matriarchal either. It seems to be that in Druidism, men and women had a fairly equilateral relationship and that it was just as acceptable for a woman to choose to study the Druid path as it was for her male peers.

This makes sense if we consider the societal status of Celtic women in comparison to other European women at the time. If you were a woman in ancient times you would have been lucky to be born a Celt. Celtic women had far more rights and freedom than the women of any other culture at the time. Celtic women could participate in warfare, own and inherit land and property and were even allowed to divorce their husbands. Such things were unheard of in other European societies at that time.

Female Druids or Druidesses are mentioned by both Greek and Roman historians as well as in Celtic myth. Female Druids, known as the Bandroai (Bandruidh), are thought to have functioned as seers and prophets. Ancient stories refer to Druidesses who could see the future and who helped their people to victory in battle.

If you take a look at Celtic mythology, you will find that many of the most powerful gods were female. In contrast to many other ancient religions, Celtic gods and goddesses did not seem to abide by strict gender roles, suggesting that gender was not their most defining attribute.

Ironically, the Christian Church absorbed much of this "pagan" religion. Many Christian saints are based on Celtic gods and goddesses and Christian cathedrals have been constructed where Celtic temples once stood. Christian women who feel forgotten and degraded by the Christian tradition often find comfort in Neo-Pagan religions such as Druidism, where they are considered of equal status.