RavenVampireClub

Monday, March 19, 2007

Ancient beliefs


by Donna Grant

Ancient beliefs. Where did they come from? How did they start? And why are they still around?

There might never be answers to some of those questions. However, we can hazard a guess as to why those beliefs are still around. Some say its because mankind needs something to hold onto, some look for something that’s different than their normal lives.

I believe its because deep down, we know some of those beliefs are real. When I decided to write a series on Druids, I had already done a wealth of research. What I found was extremely interesting. There are conflicting reports on just what everyone thought Druids were. Some thought they were merely priests and priestesses who worshiped nature. Others thought they were nothing more than vicious murderers who served their needs with sacrifices. Still others believed that they had a special connection to Otherworld beings commonly known as sidhe or Fae.

No one really knows the answer thanks to Caesar erasing nearly all the Druid and Celtic history. Yet, that hasn’t stopped people from trying to determine the truth. Would the truth have changed the way we see things? Could that be the reason Caesar decided to write his own version of the Celts and Druids? Maybe we weren’t meant to know the truth. Maybe we aren’t ready to know exactly what the Druids did, what their purpose and possible connections were.

Because of all the conflicting reports, I took certain liberties with my series. My Druids are closely connected to the Fae, so close that the Fae give them special powers to control fire, wind and water - natural elements.

I tried to tie in both the natural beliefs of Druids with those of the unnatural beliefs. It worked for my story, and I get a sense that the Druids were most probably close to what I wrote about.

For all the information I discovered on Druids, it was nothing compared to what I unearthed about the Fae. They have other names. Sidhe and Otherworld beings being two of the most popular besides Fae. From the beginning of time and throughout different cultures there have been tales of these Otherworld beings.

Today, when you hear “fairy” you most likely think of Tinkerbell or something similar. Yet, for something as powerful as a Fae, surely it had to be something of more substantial size. Those little fairies are truly pixies - tiny creatures that can wreck havoc in a household. The Fae were much more powerful, more glorious and more…royal. It is said that the Fae once inhabited Earth.

Could that be why paranormal and fantasy stories hold a reader so enthralled? Do we sense what once roamed our lands, the magic that once filled the air? The next time Samhain comes around, October 31st, one of the most powerful nights of the sidhe, go outside. Legend holds that this is the night when the veil between the worlds runs thin, and the Fae has license to visit our world. Maybe you just might encounter a Fae for yourself.

About the Author:

Donna Grant is a multi-published award winning author for New Concepts Publishing. To find out more about her and her books, visit the links below.

Website: www.donnagrant.com

Blog: www.donnagrant.blogspot.com

MySpace: www.myspace.com/donnagrant

Newsletter: www.donnagrant.com/newsletter


Disclaimer, cause we have to: The opinions of guest bloggers do not necessarily reflect the opinion of Mandy M Roth and Michelle M Pillow. (Want to be a guest blogger?)

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12 comment(s):

Great topic Donna! Druids have always fascinated me!

I'd be curious to hear some of those "ancient" family believes and wives tales passed down.

By Blogger Michelle Pillow, at 12:45 PM  

Thanks, Michelle.

Good grief, there are so many. Where to start...::tapping head::

By Blogger Donna Grant, at 12:55 PM  

Thanks for stopping by, Donna! I LOVE druids!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Mmmmmmmmgooood

By Blogger mandymroth, at 12:58 PM  

Hey, Mandy girl! Thanks for having me.

I guess I'll have to play fair and share my Druids with you, huh? :)

By Blogger Donna Grant, at 1:00 PM  

Enjoyed the article, Donna. Thanks!
Maybe it's my personal need for a world where there are still things science hasn't labelled, but few things bother me more than someone stating "There's no such thing as...."
Done a lot of research into Druidic and Celtic things myself, partly because of the Irish and Welsh in my blood, partly as research for some of the stories I write, but mostly because I think these people knew something more than we do now.
I can't help but think that genetic memory plays a role in the powerful response and attraction that so many of us have towards stories featuring ancient beliefs and so-called mythological creatures.

By Blogger Dani Harper, Author, at 2:18 PM  

I love reading Donna's stories. Filled with magic and passion, everything a girl could ask for. *smile* I also love reading about anything Druid and Celtic related. If I can't go to Ireland, might as well read about a book and imagine myself there.

By Blogger Sandra, at 3:24 PM  

Hi Donna, great topic that's close to my heart!

I agree with you about the Fae. The more research I've done about them, the more respect I have and the less likely I am to toss around the word "fairy" lightly!

Have you ever vistited the message boards at druidry.org? Lots of extremely nice people there. One of these days I'll take their Bardic course!

Cheers,
Carolan

By Blogger Carolan Ivey, at 3:48 PM  

so true, Dani!

By Blogger Donna Grant, at 3:58 PM  

lol. Hey, Sandra!

Thanks, sweetie. :)

By Blogger Donna Grant, at 3:59 PM  

Hey Carolan - love the spelling of your name, btw.

No, I haven't visited those message boards. I think I'll head on over there and take a look around. :)

By Blogger Donna Grant, at 4:00 PM  

Wonderful topic, Donna. Absolutely fascinating.

By Blogger N.J.Walters, at 5:26 PM  

What a fascinating post! Reminds me of a really great documentary I saw about Stonehenge the other week... So many ancient peoples had enormous wells of wisdom and science, and all without the technology we rely on today.

I really must read up more on the Fae too. I've recently finished a paranormal novella in which the hero *might* be a fairy... but he's certainly a big, strong, macho powerful bloke not a little pixie... LOL

By Blogger Portia Da Costa, at 11:11 AM  

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