druids
... Druids were organized into three distinct groups, each with specific functions and task to perform, and a specific regimen of training. ... Women were allowed to become Druids as well. The female Druids were held in the same regard as the male Druids. ... The Druids believed in a spiritual other world that paralleled our world. ... The advanced Druids would be reborn in the other world, while the common people would most likely be reborn in this world (2,3). ... The gods that the Druids worshiped were believed to be created from one mother goddess. ... It is believed that each tribe had its own local deity; therefore thousands of deities were known to the Druids (4,5). Animals were respected by the Druids because they were nature and its true essence. ... To the Druids all the animals of nature were holy (4,5). Possibly of greater importance than the animals to the Druids were the trees. ... The Druids had eight main festivals throughout the Celtic year. ... It is not known for sure whether or not the Druids had human sacrifices. ... The Druids did not worship any evil spirits but the whole of dark and light that is the universe. ... The only reason we know as much as we do about the Druids is because of Christian monks who documented them. It is from their writings that we know the ways of the ancient Druids .