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NOTE

For people living in the southern hemisphere, i.e. Australia, where there is a complete reversal of seasons, the Celtic lunar zodiac as a perpetual calendar is still highly relevant because the changes of light in the sky relating to the Sun and Moon are universal. The observations of the druids, though related to the northern hemisphere, come from an ancient astronomy, which provides universal concepts of the stars for all mankind.

For people living in the northern hemisphere, i.e. America or the rest of Europe, it is a question of differing time zones regarding the exact times and even days relating to the druidic eightfold year; marking the solstices, equinoxes and four fire festivals celebrated on the first days of February, May, August and November. Because Greenwich Mean Time is the official universal time, most people, especially astrologers, will have no problem adjusting these differences if drawing up their own astrological charts.

Comparison of Druidic and Greek/Roman Zodiacs

DRUIDIC SIGN	MONTH	GREEK/ROMAN ZODIAC
BIRCH, Beth	24 December–20 January	CAPRICORN
ROWAN, Luis	21 January–17 February	AQUARIUS
ASH, Nion	18 February–17 March	AQUARIUS/PISCES
ALDER, Fearn	18 March–14 April	PISCES/ARIES
WILLOW, Saille	15 April–12 May	ARIES/TAURUS
HAWTHORN, Uath	13 May–9 June	TAURUS/GEMINI
OAK, Duir	10 June–7 July	GEMINI/CANCER
HOLLY, Tinne	8 July–4 August	CANCER/LEO
HAZEL, Coll	5 August–1 September	LEO/VIRGO
VINE, Muin	2 September–29 September	VIRGO/LIBRA
IVY, Gort	30 September–27 October	LIBRA/SCORPIO
REED, Ngetal	28 October–24 November	SCORPIO/SAGITTARIUS
ELDER, Ruis	25 November–23 December	SAGITTARIUS/CAPRICORN

Tree Names and Symbols

The first sign of the Celtic lunar zodiac begins with the Birch Tree and is associated with the letter Beth in the Celtic tree-alphabet. Beth is also the first of thirteen consonants of the Celtic letters that formed a calendar of seasonal tree-magic. The Celts believed that the spoken word had great power, the pitch or tone being harmonious or hurtful, a poem or a curse. The tree symbols represent the mystical tree spirits or dryads that the druids believed came from the first rays of the Sun that gave life to their sacred trees. They breathed life by changing the Earth’s atmosphere into oxygen so that mankind could be born.

Though people living in Britain and Ireland today cannot consciously remember these symbols, all can be found on the signboards of British pubs and inns. Symbols like the White Swan, White Horse, Black Horse, Green Dragon, the White Stag/Hart and the Unicorn are commonplace and are evidence that these ancient symbols lie deeply buried in our national psyche and in our native folklore. The lunar symbol of the Unicorn for the Holly month corresponds with the Sun symbol of the Lion for the Leo sign and both represent nobility and immortality. Not surprising, therefore, to find both symbols on the British royal family’s coat of arms. A fascinating coincidence perhaps, but it reveals how symbolism can project a powerful statement of status that our ancestors obviously knew about and later acknowledged in heraldry.

Mythological Star Map

Birch Tree ~ White Stag

24 December – 20 January

ZODIAC DEGREES: Capricorn

RULING PLANET: The Sun

ARCHETYPAL GODS: Greek: Apollo; Egyptian: Osiris, Ra; Celtic: Taliesin, Arthur, Lugh

STARS: Vega, Capricorn

IN CELTIC ASTROLOGY the first sign of the lunar zodiac is the Birch Tree. Its ruler is the Sun because this time marked the return of the Sun gods from the Underworld. It was the time of year when the Sun began its annual ascent in the sky after the Winter Solstice on 22 December. The proud White Stag associated with the Birch Tree sign figured prominently in all Celtic myths and symbolized the seven-month reign of their Sun gods from the Winter Solstice to the Summer Solstice. As a time when the light of the Sun was increasing, and according to the concept of light and darkness, it had profound meaning for the Celts, who divided their year on this basis as the pivotal duality of birth and death.

The following astrological interpretation is based upon the Celtic Moon sign with reference to its corresponding Sun sign. Because the lunar zodiac has thirteen signs it creates an overlapping system of degrees and, though they exist within the same 360 degrees of the Sun zodiac, it forms a shadow zodiac, which provides a unique source of astrological interpretation. It also takes into account the influential polarity signs and the hidden potential associated with the mythical White Stag as observed by the druids.

CHARACTER TRAITS

You are a highly ambitious and self-determined individual who will climb to great heights, overcoming many obstacles in order to reach your goals in life. When you finally succeed it will give you an enormous sense of achievement like the White Stag standing on top of the highest mountain, surveying the world below. You are probably one of the most successful members of your family and this in turn often incurs greater responsibilities financially and emotionally. You are inclined, nevertheless, to accept this as a compensating factor due to the short time you have available to spend with them during your working life.

You always appear to have your sights fixed high above the earthly domain and, according to the druids, this is because you were born at the time of year when the surrounding darkness was only pierced with the pale light of the Sun overhead. Light and darkness are medically known to affect mood swings and how the brain responds. Babies born at this time were said to carry a seed potential that required great effort to nurture and grow and therefore much patience and self-discipline was necessary to achieve growth of any kind. Young druids were associated with this Celtic Moon sign and their training was said to take twenty years of strict disciplines. The druids were very selective in their choice of new recruits, but people born under this sign were regarded as exceptionally worthy.

Birch signs and Capricorns are said to be among the toughest and most resilient people in both zodiacs, but their appearance can be deceptive because of their slight build and non-confrontational behaviour. The Birch Tree best symbolizes these qualities because despite its slender beauty, it is hardier than the sturdy Oak and will thrive in places where the Oak will die. The women are often described as delicate and dainty creatures, but they all have steel corsets. So though they may not stand out in a crowd, if caught up in emergency situations they are the ones who react calmly and often with great bravery, and they are often the unsung heroes or heroines of the day. They all have tremendous inner reserves of strength and they are the long-distance runners in life out on their own and winning through sheer physical and mental stamina.

Birch signs and Capricorns are both regarded as high achievers because of their steadfast dedication and single-mindedness. They can rise from humble beginnings and reach high office, but they can also fall from grace due to scandals or a misuse of power. Others make great statesmen and -women, and the occasional martyr. There is strong attraction to research medicine and becoming a professional charity worker.

Famous people born at this time of year who appear to confirm this analysis are Richard Nixon, Joan of Arc, Albert Schweitzer and Louis Pasteur. Schweitzer won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1952 having devoted most of his life to helping lepers in a remote medical mission in Africa. He virtually took his own light into what has always been regarded as the ‘Dark Continent’.

When it comes to career choices most of you will join a particular profession rather than just finding a job because you are serious contenders in all fields of personal enterprise or public office. The Civil Service may attract you or an administrative post of any kind. You could also excel in the field of science or mathematics. Other famous people born at this time are Isaac Newton and Johan Kepler; two renowned astronomers whose published works transformed science into a new era of enlightenment that founded modern-day astronomy. Newton’s theory of the components of light is perhaps strangely relevant for someone born at the darkness period of the year.

For some of you the need for public recognition could, quite by chance, attract you to a more glamorous career as a film actor. You have an air of mystery about you and your sense of timing and dry humour are both professional and appealing. You also have a depth of character that becomes more attractive with age, which is an unusual star quality, but Birch signs and Capricorns are known to age gracefully and, according to the druids, your hidden light can take a long time to shine. Famous actors who were born at this time are Marlene Dietrich, Cary Grant and Humphrey Bogart. Dietrich became a legend in her own lifetime as a star performer on stage when she was well into her seventies. Cary Grant never appeared to age at all and Bogart’s stature grew with age.

LOVE LIFE

Your social behaviour is inclined to be reserved but not unfriendly, and this is also projected in your personal life. Personal relationships in your mind need time to grow and mature before any commitment is fully given. This can mean that some prospective partners may not stay the course because they feel neglected or put on hold. Many of you will marry or make commitments much later in life than other zodiac signs. Once you do take the plunge it is, in your mind, a lifetime’s commitment, and people born at this time of year are less inclined to divorce, although separations cannot be ruled out.

You share a certain rapport with the two tree signs of the Willow and the Vine, and the two Earth signs Taurus and Virgo. Willow people and Taureans also like careers with a secure income, a stable home life and a reliable partner. You could both be highly suited, but you are also very stubborn people, which could mean long periods of non-communication if you have a serious falling out. Vine and Virgo people have a secret passionate nature, which is discreetly controlled, and you may find them madly attractive and fascinating. They also prefer working to strict routines so, on the surface, it appears you share a great deal in common.

Though these signs rate fairly high, there is a hidden facet of character associated with Birch people that craves affection and excitement. So you may surprise your family and friends by suddenly falling in love with the most unlikely partners. Ash Tree people and Pisceans fit into this category for they have gentle natures and are born romantics, but they can also be astute businessmen and -women. It could be an ideal romance, but your lack of sensitivity on occasions could shatter their dreams and they are inclined to suddenly disappear and find affection elsewhere. Holly people and Cancerians can be equally shrewd and tenacious in business or material interests and, being your polarity signs, opposites are highly attracted to each other. You may also become highly attracted to Reed and Scorpio people or find them too overwhelming altogether and avoid them at all costs. But you will admire their single-mindedness and ambitious strategy and they may become some of your closest friends.

You may be drawn to Rowan Tree people and Aquarians, who usually keep their emotions under control, but they are not as ‘cool’ as they appear – so you could both ‘chill out’ together and have a great time. Hawthorn and Geminian people tend to fascinate everyone, but they also come under the category of the most unlikely partners because they are among the liveliest and most emotionally volatile people in the zodiac. They have a low boredom threshold and you would have to work hard keeping them happy enough to stay around. You will also find Ivy and Libran people great company and they would help you to relax and enjoy every aspect of life and love. As business or personal partners, maybe both, you could become a highly successful duo. No weak links here, providing you don’t mind spending some of your hard earned cash, because they have expensive tastes and don’t like living on budgets.

Oak Tree people and Leos make generous and warm-hearted partners even if they are inclined to be bossy. They are also inclined to be social climbers, which may fit in with your own ambitions. Alder Tree and Aries people always have their own agendas, but they make loyal and amorous partners who will be equally enterprising and hard-working. Elder Tree and Sagittarius people will open your eyes to all the possibilities in life and they will lift your spirits if you are feeling down. But they have a restless spirit and tend to frequently move residences, which may not suit your need for a stable and secure home-base. They could, however, make good friends if you avoid becoming involved in any of their speculative ventures – it could prove financially disastrous.

POLARITY SIGNS

Polarity signs represent another projection of the personality and character that brings greater self-awareness and personal growth. Opposites are highly attractive to one another, because a relationship can reciprocally increase personal strengths and cancel out any weaknesses. Basically, it acts like a mutual support system, but there is a higher level of human and universal chemistry associated with polarities that has always been used in ancient magical rituals for reconciling opposite forces or elements. The ancient Greek symbol of the mercurial caduceus – two snakes entwined around a wand – represents two opposing forces now in harmony and balance, and is associated with the Geminian sign of the Twins – a fundamental duality found in every aspect of life that needs to be reunited in order to form the sacred ‘One’ or whole, which means being healthy and complete.

Your Celtic Moon sign polarity is the Holly, symbolized by the fabulous Unicorn and ruled by the planet Earth. The astronomical position of Earth is always directly opposite the Sun and, in the Celtic lunar zodiac, this highly significant polarity has been restored. Sun and Earth gods have always been associated with fertility and, according to the druids, the rebirth of their Sun gods was a time of celebration because the changing light in the sky now meant new growth and life. Your ruling planet under their system was the Sun, having escaped the hand of Saturn, the ‘Keeper of Time’. This is a very different concept to that of the Greeks or Romans who believed that Saturn, ruler of Capricorn, controlled and limited personal potential.

In Celtic astrology the polarity signs of the White Stag and the Unicorn both represent a beautiful soul that lights the way for others to follow. In this ancient tradition you are said to be a spiritually enlightened individual who can win hearts and minds and lead a very fulfilling life. So where do your true ambitions lie? Are you a proud White Stag who follows a different path to that of the Capricorn Goat who climbs rocky mountains, only to find a place of solitude? If your Celtic polarity signs are well integrated it can become an inspiration that will enable you to use and develop all your personal potential. Sun signs alone only show one side of the coin and, as a Sun Capricorn, you will appreciate this as your sign is often dubbed ‘the gloom and doom merchant’ in Sun sign astrology. The observation of light and darkness by the druids provides a more balanced and integrated approach that reveals the ‘missing parts’ that shape your whole psyche.

The druids also believed that people born around the time of the solstices had inherited a pole position in life that still needs to be maintained because it symbolizes stability in the universe as well as human morality. So when you reach out to your polarity sign, you are discovering a part of your nature that must be more fully developed and expressed. Holly signs can also learn from you as it should be a two-way process of mutual benefit and you will find that they will cross your path at frequent intervals in your life. They may be family members, and here you are both learning some of the hardest lessons in this life because the Celts believed in reincarnation. In other words, if you do not sort out these disagreements, you will have to begin again in another lifetime.

SUMMARY

During the first lunar month of the year the Celts used Birch rods for the beating of the bounds, which formed two important rituals in re-establishing tribal boundaries and the order of the seasons. Birch signs and Capricorns are said to have some deeply rooted habits, but they also have many enterprising qualities that provide enough flexibility to achieve their objectives in life. So, though you are inclined to hold on to traditional values, this should be seen as a great strength because it is a stabilizing energy that forms a sound basis for self-growth. While you may appear to be a rather inhibitive character you are actually learning a great deal about life and your personal potential, albeit in your own time.

Though you may inherit the heavy burdens of family obligations, if seen in a different light, it shows an inbuilt respect for your ancestors and the older generation. Their accumulated knowledge and wisdom may therefore become a valued source of your own personal integrity.

Archetypal Gods

Archetypal gods are said to represent ideal human characteristics, but they can also reveal vices or flaws in our character. As a psychological profile, however, they can provide a great insight into our basic natures and behavioural patterns. Archetypal gods primarily represent a record of human fears, frustrations, loves, strengths and weaknesses over thousands of years since human history began. They were the hierarchy of chief gods who were said to give life and structure to our very existence and for the rest of humanity.