The Faery Tradition The tradition of Faery came from the culmination of two ancient cultures: Greco-Roman and Celtic Gaul. Gaul (modern France) became a part of the Roman Empire, and the Romans introduced things such as cities and roads to the land. The Gauls, otherwise known as Celts, had been familiar with the Romans and Greeks for a long time. Over the centuries the different tribes had travelled the mediterranean to trade precious goods with each other. The Romans noted that the Celts were very fond of Roman wine. The Romans were very tolerant when it came to religion, so long as the Emperor was honoured. They let the Celts continue worshipping their native gods and goddesses. The Romans equated the Celtic deities with their own pantheon. The Celts and Romans even combine their gods into one being, such as "Lenus Mars" or "Apollo Grannus". The Roman and Celtic deities were also thought to inter-marry, such as Mercury and Rosmerta. The Romans adopted the Celtic goddess Epona into their own pantheon. Certain mystical cults were introduced to Gail at an early stage. These included the cults of Orpheus, Mithras, Cybele, and Isis. These mystery cults all taught a divine wisdom which was instructed to the initiate. It is this tradition of initiation that the modern religion of Wicca took inspiration from. In this new Gallo-Roman culture, the Faery tradition developed. The faery was a person who could determine the fates of individuals, by seeing into the future, consulting the gods, and even using charms to sway the fate of a person. In the 5th and 6th centuries however Christianity was introduced and the faeries were rejected in favour of miracle workers, saints and bishops. And so the tradition of Faery was recorded into "Romance" and soon became an element of fantasy. Blessings, References: Gallo-Roman Museum, Lyon Vesunna Gallo-Roman Museum by Jean Nouvel Culture of Ancient Rome Sidonius Apollinaris Syagrius Via Domitia, the first Roman road built in Gaul Pillar of the Boatmen Thraco-Roman Loupian Roman villa Gallo-Romance languages Gallo language http://groups.msn.com/SassysSets