Welsh Journals

THE WREXHAM REGISTRAR. DRUIDISM: OB THE RELIGIOUS, MORAL, AND SOCIAL STATE OF THE WELSH BEFORE TH« INTRODUCTION OF CHRISTIANITY AMONGST THEM. (continued prom fagb 99.) The Goddess Ceridwen, like many others of the heathen deities, was de¬ scribed under various appellations. At one time she was represented un¬ der the form of oak ; at another time she was described as a giantess; then aguin we find her on some occasions, under the form of a greyhound. In the account given of the initiation of Taliesin into the mysteries of the Druidical religion, Arthur's Round Table is mentioned in connection with the secrets of Ceridwen ; from which it is inferred that it was em¬ ployed on such occasions. Of the Cromlechau which are to be met with in Wales, some of them are known to this day, under the names of Y Faen Arch, (the stone ark,) others by the name of Wal-y-filast (the greyhound's couch.) Llech yr Ast, (the bitch's covert,) Bwrdd Arthur, Arthur's ta¬ ble,) Coitan Arthur, (Arthur's quoit). And there was a Cromlech in Cardig¬ anshire, called Lech y Gawres, (the Giantess's covert). From which it is maintained, that, as from their various forms, these Cromlechau could not be either altars or tomb-stones, and as their several names corresponded with those given to Ceridwen, many of them must have been those places, called the womb or court of Cerid¬ wen, where the probationers were confined for nine nights or months, to fit them for all the duties of the Druidical ministrations. Hence the chief uses of the Cromlechau ; and it I « Archaiol. i ToUni'. Hilt. is evident that the custom of confin¬ ing the probationers in one of these coverts, and in the consecrated cora¬ cle, referred to Noah's confinement in the ark.—The Cromlech and the coracle represented the ark ; the sea into which they were sent in the coracle representing the deluge ; and the stone upon which they landed representing Mount Ararat, upon which the ark rested. The Druids were well acquainted with the divisions of time into days, weeks, months, and years ;a but it is uncertain whether they devoted any particular day of the week to religious purposes. They however, had three annual holidays or festivals, which they kept with- much heathenish earnestness in honor of their Deities. Their first annual festival was held on the 10th of March, which was the first day of their year, when they met to cut down the misseltoe.6 When it was ascertained upon which tree it ex¬ isted, one of the Druids ascended it, and cut down the misseltoe with a consecrated golden knife,—and re¬ ceived it with much reverence into his white robe. The misseltoe was considered by the Druids as the greatest gift of heaven, and held it in the highest esteem, on account of its many virtues.' When this ceremony was completed, the remainder of the day was employed in sacrificing to> their deities, and in feasting. « Rowland's Moe» AnHqw.