The Romans conquered Europe, but resolutely refused to invade Ireland, despite ruling England, Wales and Scotland for several hundred years.
Recently I have made a concerted effort to find out why this was…Why continual Roman Emperors left Ireland alone…?
What crops up in my investigations time and again, is the issue of the ancient Celtic belief in the transmigration of the soul.
This was not just something that was taught by the Druids, but an unshakeable conviction in the afterlife…one so strong, that it made them absolutely fearless in battle.
Transmigration of the soul is a doctrine of reincarnation.
Within this belief, spirits may be reborn into any of nature’s forms – human, animal, or even inanimate things, such as trees and water.
This is supported by evidence from the ancient Celtic Heroic tales.
The Greek writer Diordus Siculus (c. 60 BC – 30 AD) noted that the Druids believed “the souls of men are immortal, and that after a definite number of years they live a second life when the soul passes to another body.”
The Greek philosopher Strabo (c. 63 BC – 21 AD) observed the Druids believed that “men’s souls and the universe are indestructible, although at times fire and water may prevail.”
Julius Caesar wrote of the Celts “They wish to inculcate this as one of their leading tenets, that souls do not become extinct, but pass after death from one body to another, and they think that men by this tenet are in a great degree stimulated to valour, the fear of death being disregarded.”
This was most troublesome for Julius Caesar, as he realized this race would not be easily defeated and thence subjugated.
The Roman Empire was all too aware of what happened when the British Celts, under their Queen Boadicea, decided to revolt against Roman tyranny.
The Celts, led by their Queen, cut a mighty swathe through the Roman settlements, towns and armies in England, almost wiping out Roman occupation!
The Romans had raped the daughters of Boadicea, making her watch…the entire Iceni Tribe rallied behind the dignity of their queen and against the tyranny of such barbarians as empire breeds.
As for the women of the Celts, Roman Diodorus Siculus wrote of them, saying, “Among the Gauls the women are nearly as tall as the men, whom they rival in courage.”
Amicus Marcelling states – “A whole troop of foreigners would not be able to withstand a single Celt if he called his wife to his assistance”
Julius Caesar was frightened of the Celts, despite the mighty legions of Rome.
This is a truth I carry today…to be steadfast and resolute in holding fast to what I believe to be right.
Blessings X
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Reblogged this on Blue Dragon Journal and commented:
Having a little Irish in me, also, I can appreciate these thoughts!
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Hi Sweetie….Take Care…..the Flame Thrower…..a bit limp wot eva grin
That idea is a comfort, as I just lost my husband of 51 years.
My deepest condolences to you on your loss.
Blessings XXX
I am mostly Scotch and some Irish on my Father’s side and Welsh, Dutch, and German on my mother’s side. No wonder I am such a stubborn determined person! But I am also very proud!
Join the club!
Blessings X
Very interesting to me as I have recently come to a similar conclusion, as you can see from my blog. Unfortunately, the video link didnt work for me, but I very much enjoyed your post and pictures.
Thanks Ali…I have removed the link. It was originally there, as this is a reblog, but appears to have been removed from YouTube.
Blessings X
Interesting site Ali 🙂
Thank you!
Reblogged this on Bealtaine Cottage and commented:
The Celts, led by their Queen, cut a mighty swathe through the Roman settlements…
This documentary features serious US academic researcher Jim Tucker – on the case of a Glasgow boy connected to the Hibrides island of Barra: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Wh0OsVtdeE
Colette, I would like to believe that was true, but I can’t help thinking that the Roman name for Ireland Hibernia had something to do with it. It is a shame all the same that we have lost so much of Celtic culture for the global corporate mono-culture. Time for us to reclaim something of that.
Turlough O’Carolan’s music certainly transports the spirit and brings nature to mind, and indeed he lives on through many a harpists fingers.
Thank you so much for sharing this immensely interesting piece of history (I must read up on it) as well as your truly breathtaking photography with us.
One of my favourite daily treats is visiting your blog.
Warmest blessings x
Lots and lots of info on the web! Also some great books. Google Celts BBC …lots there too!
Thanks Cicely for the words of encouragement…you are always so very generous XXX
Colette
Ideas, even when totally false, have power. On ‘returning’, I keep an open mind – always remembering my Dublin-born grandmother saying to me “you’ve been here before”.
If anyone would like to try past-life regression self-hypnosis, s/he could try this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dqqUjWRaS0g
And, from the same series, with concentration on the most recent past life – most likely to be historically verifiable: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BV6RHDHjYJA
Thinking a lot about these matters just now, having just discovered that someone very dear to me but long out of touch died aged only 45. If you love someone, tell her, tell him.
I am sorry to hear you lost someone dear to you at such a young age. Will check out your links, am not sure I want to regress but it’s a very interesting subject. I have a niece that everyone feels is an old soul.
Thanks – I’m having a lot of trouble to accept that such a spirit as Thomas’s has gone from this world – he was the funniest person I’ve ever known. As for the links, while there’s a lot of rubbish out there, these are responsible. Re. your niece, you might find books on children who remember past lives useful. Doing past-like regression with a therapist is on my ‘bucket list’ (!) – and my list is very short.