Vates
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| Series on Celtic mythology  |
| Ancient Celtic religion |
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Druids · Bards · Vates |
| Brythonic mythology |
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Welsh mythology |
| Gaelic mythology |
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Irish mythology |
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Celts · Gaul |
The earliest Latin writers used vates to denote "prophets" and soothsayers in general; the word fell into disuse in Latin until it was revived by Virgil [1]. Then Ovid could describe himself as the vates of Eros (Amores 3.9). Also, Vates are known as those that rejoice in the freewill of others.
According to Strabo, [2] Diodorus Siculus, [3] and Poseidonius, the vates (ουατεις) were one of three classes of Celtic priesthood, the other two being the druids and the bards. The Vates had the role of seers and performed sacrifices (in particular administering human sacrifice), under the presidence of a druid. Their role therefore corresponded to that of an Adhvaryu in Vedic religion. Celtic Vates is continued by Irish fáith "prophet, seer"[4].
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[edit] Work
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The Vates began their work by learning about the trees and herbs within the confines of deep forests, where they also honed their skills of divination, healing, and geomancy. Vate development took years and it was based on observation and the use of dreams and visions. As specialists in the art of healing they learned to use the power of suggestion. The Roman Strabo referred to this process of healing as physiology in his writings. Some Vates applied natural law to the problems of the human body and mind. They often used natural remedies, such as plants, herbs, spices and the derivatives or combinations of these. Some Vates combined this knowledge with solar, lunar, and stellar powers of healing (relational to effects caused by astronomic or astrological influences). Due to an advanced use of dreams, visions and power of suggestion and use of medicinal plants, the Vates, through Queen Macha Mong Ruadh, formed the first hospital in the world in Armagh, Ireland, around 658 BC. The hospital/training center operated for about 1000 years before falling into disuse.
The Vates studied the processes of death and regeneration, and explored the Druidic relationship with their ancestors of blood and spirit through seeking the wisdom of the night, dreams, and of the moon. They conversed (via one of the four vision states) with these ancestors in order to receive knowledge or prophecy of the future.[1] The ability to foresee has several names the Vates used, the most common being 'fey', or having 'second sight' and the act of visioning 'to scry'. These efforts reflected their belief and knowledge that death was the doorway to another life (reincarnation). The Vates taught that only by letting go (not 'pushing' it) does the seeker find the solution in life.[2]
[edit] Etymology
It is unknown whether the Latin and Gaulish usages are cognates, or if the former should be considered a Celtic loanword. The word may be derived from a PIE root *wāt "to inspire, spiritually arouse"; however that root may not go back to Proto-Indo-European, since it is only certainly attested for Celtic and Germanic (though it may be present natively in Italic, and possibly also in Greek and Indo-Iranian; see also Vedas). Virgil uses the Latin vannus "winnowing fan" (from *wat-nos, compare Old High German wadal, modern German Wedel, with the same meaning, from *wat-lo) for something borne about in the Bacchic festival, suggesting that the root may have had an ecstatic sense in Italic also.
Rübekeil (2003) suggested that the name of the Germanic god *Wōđinaz may in fact be an early loanword, an adjective *vatinos based on Celtic vates.
[edit] Modern usage
Vates (or Ovates, due to a misinterpretation of the Greek spelling) make up one of the three grades of the Order of Bards, Ovates and Druids, a Neo-druidry order based in England.
[edit] External links
- Classical descriptions of the vates
- "The Atrebates": A silver coin of Verica, leader of the Atrebates, minted between 25 and 35 CE, interpreted as depicting a vates on the reverse
- Ovates
- Pagan Traditions
