educed taxation. The process of becoming a druid was a long and tedious. Working under an experienced druid, young apprentices had the responsibility of learning and memorizingcountless myths, verses, and lore which recounted the history of the tribe, and even the universe itself. Theystudied the effects of various herbs and medicines within nature, and applied them accordingly. It took abouttwenty years, a Celtic lifetime, to become a full fledged druid (Piggot, 1996).The cycle of seasons had a very symbolic significance to the Celts, as it represented life itself; birth,maturity, aging, and eventual death, and also the intricate relationship the Celts held with the land. Likewise, theseasons were personified in the form of single deity, and her components. Spring, the maiden, is characterized byrebirth, reawakening and renewal. The Celtic festival of Imbolc celebrates this quickening of life in nature, and awelcoming of the maiden to the world after the long period of rest. Imbolc was celebrated by the lighting ofcandles and torches at midnight in honor of the goddess, Brigid, and her element of fire. The light of the firesymbolized the longer periods of daylight with which spring is characterized with. This festival became known asCandlemas, the Christian festival of the purification of the Virgin Mary as Celtic Europe became moreChristianized. Summer was symbolic of growth and fertility. It was the time of reverence for Belanos, the the shiningone who presided over this season. Summer was when marriages where held, and conception of the Earth Motheroccurred in preparation for growth and harvest in that coming autumn. Beltane, the Celtic fertility festival washeld during this time to promote prosperity and abundance within the tribe. During this time great fires were lit,through which people would drive their cattle and livestock in the hopes of a fruitful growing season. May Day isstill celebrated in many countries of E...
