Trees._

for the oak was held sacred by them as a symbol of the omnipotent
god, upon whom they depended for life like the mistletoe growing
upon it. Their ceremonies were held in oak-groves.

Later from their name a word meaning "magician" was formed, showing
that these priests had gained the reputation of being dealers in
magic.

"The Druid followed him and suddenly, as we are told, struck him
with a druidic wand, or according to one version, flung at him a
tuft of grass over which he had pronounced a druidical
incantation."

O'CURRY: _Ancient Irish._

They dealt in symbols, common objects to which was given by the
interposition of spirits, meaning to signify certain facts, and
power to produce certain effects. Since they were tree-worshippers,
trees and plants were thought to have peculiar powers.

Caesar provides them with a galaxy of Roman divinities, Mercury,
Mars, Jupiter, and Minerva, who of course were worshipped under
their native names. Their chief god was Baal, of whom they believed
the sun the visible emblem. They represented him by lowlier tokens,
such as circles and wheels. The trefoil, changed into a figure
composed of three winged feet radiating from a center, represented
the swiftness of the sun's journey. The cross too was a symbol of
the sun, being the appearance of its light shining upon dew or
stream, making to the half-closed eye little bright crosses. One
form of the cross was the swastika.

To Baal they made sacrifices of criminals or prisoners of war,
often burning them alive in wicker images. These bonfires lighted
on the hills were meant to urge the god to protect and bless the
crops and herds. From the appearance of the victims sacrificed in
them, omens were taken that foretold the future. The gods and other
supernatural powers in answer to prayer were thought to signify
their will by omens, and also by the following methods: the ordeal,
in which the innocence or guilt of a person was shown by the way
the god permitted him to endure fire or other torture; exorcism,
the driving out of demons by saying mysterious words or names over
them. Becoming skilled in interpreting the will of the gods, the
Druids came to be known as prophets.

"O Deirdre, terrible child,
For thee, red star of our ruin,
Great weeping shall be in Eri--
Woe, woe, and a breach in Ulla.

* * * * *

"Thy feet sha