There is a misconception among many modern folk that the Druid caste was made up of only men. This is probably the fault of the Druid reformation of the 17th and 18th centuries. As we discussed earlier, the founders of this movement had a romantic viewconcerning the Druids, often claiming the Druids were "prechristian Christians." The Druid Orders founded during these years were for men and men only. Thus the misconception that only men could be Druids.
One need only read the first line of the Cath Mag Turied (the Battle of Moytura) to understand that women could indeed be Druids.
"The Tuatha De Danann were in the northern islands of the world, studying lore and magic and druidism and wizardry and cunning until they surpassed the sages of the arts of heathendom."
The Tuatha De Danann are the Gods and Goddesses of our tradition, and therefore women could be Druids.
Irish myth as well as the Greek and Roman historians mention female Druids, the Bandroai (Bandruidh). What we are able to gather from the sources available to us is that the Bandroai were Seers and Prophets. There is little mention of other roles the Bandroai might have filled within the Druid caste. Below is a small sampling of stories or histories that mention female Druids.
In the story of Fingin Mac Luchta of Munster, Fingin visits a Druidess every Samhain who would fortell the events of the coming year.
The Second Battle of Moytura mentions two Druidesses who promise to enchant the rocks and trees "so they become a host and rout" their enemies.
Prior to the famous Cattle Raid of Cooley, Mebd the Queen of Connacht, consults a Druidess named Fidelma who predicts the outcome of the coming battle with the Ulstermen. "How seest thou our host?" asked Medb. "I see the host all becrimsoned..." replied Fidelma.
Several of the Roman and Greek historians mention Druidesses in their works.
Dio Cassius mentions a Druidess named Ganna who went on an embassy to Rome and was received by Domitian, youngerson of the Emperor Vespasian.
Pomponius Mela in De Chorographica speaks concerning nine virgin "priestesses" who lived on the island of Sena, in Brittany, who "knew the future."
The Historia Agusta which was written in about 400 A.D. by Aelius Lampridius mentions a Druidess foretelling the defeat of Alexander Severus. "Go forth but hope not for victory, nor put your trust in your warriors."
Then of course, there are the keepers of the eternal flame at Kildare, which was for a long time a pagan temple dedicated to the Goddess Brighid. The flame was tended by Druidesses and later by Christian nuns, in honor of Saint Bride.
Because of what we know concerning the treatment and rights of Celtic women; which were many times better than the rest of Europe at that time, we can make an educated guess that a persons gender mattered little when one wished to study the Druid ways. All that would be needed is a strong memory and intellect and the desire to learn. The Irish myths may have mentioned the Bandroai more than we now aware. This would have been because the scholars and scribes who wrote down all the wonderful tales of Ireland were Christian monks and probably already infected with the Roman Church's stagnant view of women.
Women played an important role in Celtic society and were considered equal in status with men until the coming of Christianity. Modern Druidism does not exclude women or anyone else for that matter. In fact, there are many women who walk the Druid path today, without whom Druidism would not be the same. Some of these women are:
Ellen Evert Hopman is the Vice President of the Henge of Keltria and an author of many books about Druidism, including A Druids herbal for the sacred Earth year, and Tree medicine, Tree Magick.
Emma Restall Orr is the co-founder of the British Druid Order and an author of several books about British Druidry and its traditions.
Mara Freeman is a Druid and a great Seanchai (storyteller). She has produced many recordings of her storytelling as well as toured the U.S. and Europe.
Erynn Rowan Laurie has written several books and leads many internet discussions concerning the ancient Celts and Druids. She is also the list owner for Nemeton-L, a internet discussion list.
So you see, many women hold important positions in the Druid Orders and are scholars of great renown, a very valueable resource for our growing and rediscovering of Druidism. Little has changed since the days of Cuchulain and the days of Mag Turied as far as we modern Druids see it. The female and the male are equal in nature and so they are equal when walking the Druid path. Druidism is a philosophy and a magickal system, and is open to all regardless of gender, to exclude a person because of their gender would be ridiculous.