The power of the Druids

The "wise men of - wood," as they call the druids, were experts in a wide range of disciplines. Organized according to a strict hierarchy and chaired each community. According to the historian Strabo, there were different types of magicians priests: Druids, Bards and Vates. The former are responsible for the sacrifices, he served as judges and medicines prepared with herbs and plants of the forest for diseases that affect members of their community. For its part, the bard was a poet, a priest, which he composed odes to convey the wisdom cosmogony and ancient legends. Moreover, the poet who was blessed, or cursed ritual celebrating the enemy. His gun was the word and music.

Deserves a mention Vate. This was the prophet or seer and druid in this category included many women, called druidesas. These were more integrated into community life. They could marry and have a family. The women were very prestigious guess. Julio Cesar consultations often. The seer of Tacitus called Véleda. Regarded as a goddess in her village after being captured by German have encouraged the revolt against Rome, was called by the Emperor Vespasian as a mediator between the two peoples.

Among the techniques used adivinatorias underscores the necromancy (divination by the slaughter and death). Were read the entrails of victims of slaughter, especially the liver. Human corpses were used (usually prisoners of war) to decide what is right or wrong in a decision, noting the fall of the body, how the blood flowing and the state of the viscera.