Women in Celtic societies had legal rights that far exceeded the rights of women in many other societies at the time and later in history. They acted as judges and mediators in political and military disputes and they could own land and inherit property.
Celtic marriages was viewed as a partnership, as opposed to women being seen as the property of the man in Roman law. Women also had the right to divorce their men if he did not live up to his responsibilities, which included providing enough food and satisfying his wife sexually, or if he treated her badly.
The spiritual leaders in Celtic society were the Druids, who passed down their knowledge strictly through oral tradition. Despite the commonly held idea that Druids were mostly men, there were women Druids who acted as seers and healers.
Celtic women fought wars alongside the men and there are many stories of women warriors who led their people in battle. One of these warriors was Boudica, queen of the Iceni tribe of what is now Eastern England. She led an uprising against the occupying Roman Empire. This has similarities to Norse/Viking culture, which also had women warriors. A Viking woman has been found buried in a military tomb with contents indicating that she was high up in the ranks.
Because Celtic women could inherit land, old Irish law stated that they had an obligation to defend their land and therefore had to do military service or assign a kinsman on her behalf. It was only in year 697 CE that women were banned from warfare.
If you have Celtic and Irish ancestry I am recalling this history to help you see your ancestry with new eyes if you haven't already. Although most of us don't need to physically fight to protect our land or tribes anymore, I want to remind you that despite of the suppression of women in relatively recent history, you come from a lineage of women who held power, warrior queens and priestesses. You can call on the power of these ancestors whenever you need their strength and insights. They are a part of you.
I have created a 3 month journey with our Divine Feminine Ancestry and Soul Lineage. We will connect deeply with our ancestors, our ancestral lands and mythologies. I will use my own journey with my Scandinavian/Norse ancestry to guide us. Click here to learn more.
Let's rise up rooted...
