Irish Druids and Old Irish Religions

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190 Old Irish Religions.
Dr. Tylor has reason when saying, " In early philosophy
throughout the world, the sun and moon were alive, and,
as it were, human in their nature." Professor Rhys refers
to the tendency of the savage " to endow the sun, moon,
the sky, or any feature of the physical world admitting of
being readily acknowledged with a soul and body, with
parts and passions, like their own."
In all ages, in all climes, and in all nations, the Sun,
under various names and symbols, was regarded as the
Creator and as sustainer of all things.
Egypt, the primeval seat of learning, was the high seat of
Sun adoration. The Sphinx, with the face to the east,
represents Harmachus, young Horus, or the rising Sun. The
orb is Osiris, the ruling god of day. In its descent it is the
dying deity, going below to the land of Shades ; but only
to be resurrected as the victorious Horus, piercing the head
of the dragon of darkness. Twice a year did the bright
rays enter the great hall of the Nile temple, to fall straight
upon the shrine.
The ancient Persian bowed to Mithra as the Sun ;
was said
for it
" May he come to us for protection, for joy,
For mercy, for healing, for victory, for hallowing.
Mithra will I honour with offerings,
Will I draw near to us as a Friend with prayer."
The Assyrians, the Akkadians, the Phoenicians, the
Greeks, the Romans, all alike worshipped the sun, as
Merodach, Baal, Apollo, or Adonis. Rabbi Issaaki reads
Tammuz of Ezek. ch. viii., as the burning one : i. e. JMoloch.
India has down to this day reverenced the Sun. Its
Vedic names grew into some sort of active personality.
*'
We can follow," writes Max Miiller, '' in the Vedic h}^mns,
step by step, the development which changes the
sun from
a mere luminary into a creator, preserver, ruler." ''
As the