The Birch Tree.. 24 December
- 20 January - To the druids, the Birch
represented renewel and rebirth as it was the first tree
in leaf after winter.Birch people are determined, resilient
and ambitious. Good organisers, leaders and strategists,
they are not deterred by setbacks, believing hard work,
patience and persistance will triumph. They are loyal but
reserved in showing affection.
The Ruling Deity - The Celtic Warrior God Lugh, inventor
of all arts and crafts, rules this sign.
The Druic Animal - The white stag symbolises high ideals
and aspirations - Birch people need a goal in life or they
become depressed and pessimistic.
Planetary Ruler - Sun
Ogham Word - Beithe
The Rowan Tree.. 21 January
- 17 February - Rowans
were planted near doors and gates to ward off evil and were
thought to guard the gateway to the spirit world. Rowan
people are idealistic, progressive thinkers with strong
humanitarian and spiritual principles. They thrive on change,
becoming impatient with convention or restriction, artistic
and original, they can appear detached and aloof.
The Ruling Deity - Brigid, the Goddess of fertility and
poetry, rules this sign.
The Druic Animal - The Dragon symbolises inspiration and
imagination - Rowans need an outlet for their powerful imagination
or they can become restless and quarrelsome.
Planetary Ruler - Uranus
Ogham Word - Luis
The Ash Tree.. 18 February
- 17 March - The Ash was a sacred chieftain
tree, said to "court the flash" as it was prone to lightning
strike. Its wood was thought to be enchanted and was used
for Druidic wands and spears. Ash people are quick witted,
spontaneous and gregarious. They have a lively curiosity
and are intellgent, persuasive speakers, enthusiastic, inquisitve
and communicative. They love discussing new ideas and projects.
The Ruling Deity - The Magician, storyteller and trickster.
Gwydion rules the sign.
The Druic Animal - The Adder symbolises wisdom and spiritual
energy - Ash people need to focus their mental abilities
or they can become nervous and irritable.
Planetary Ruler - Neptune
Ogham Word - Nion
The Alder Tree.. 18 March - 14 April Alder
resist rot in water and was used to make bridges, boats,
clogs and milk jugs. It was a crime to fell an alder, as
the angry tree spirit would burn down houses. Alder people
are courageous, energetic, impetuous and determinded to
make their own way in the world. Self-reliant and adventurous,
they love taking risks and are tenacious workers. Affectionate
and charming, they inspire great loyalty in others.
The Ruling Deity - The God of the spirit world, Bran the
Blesses, rules this sign.
The Druic Animal - The Fox symbolises skill in diplomacy-
Alders must learn the art of diplomacy or they waste energy
in fruitless disputes.
Planetary Ruler - Mars
Ogham Word - Fern
The Wilow Tree.. 15 April
- 12 May - The Willow was sacred
to the Moon and in Celtic myth the universe was hatched
from two eggs hidden among the boughs of the Willow. Willow
people have good memories and are articulate, strong willed
and resourceful, emotional and enigmatic. They have quick
responses and are prone to sudden mood changes.
The Ruling Deity - The Celtic Moon Goddess Ceridwen rules
this sign.
The Druic Animal - The Hare symbolises adaptation and intuition.
Willows must trust their inner voice ot they can become
moody and chronically indecisive.
Planetary Ruler - Moon
Ogham Word - Sail
The Hawthorn Tree.. 13 May
- 9 June - Hawthorn, or May, was a symbol
of psychic protection due to its sharp thorns. Faery spirits
were thought to live in Hawthorn hedges, which were planted
as protective shields around fields, houses and churchyards.
Hawthorn people are mercurial, innovative, creative and
confident. Easily bored, they crave mental stimulation and
challenge. They are eloquent and gifted performers, exuding
natural charm.
The Ruling Deity - The summer flower maiden Olwen rules
this sign.
The Druic Animal - The Owl symbolises wisdom and patience
- Hawthorns must develop patience or hasty action can sabotage
their best efforts.
Planetary Ruler - Vulcan
Ogham Word - Uath
The Oak Tree.. 10 June - 7
July - The Oak was the sacred tree of the
Druids, symbolising truth and steadfast knowledge. Doors
made of Oak were thought to keep out evil. Oak people are
determined, self-motivated, enthusiastic and responsible.
Natural leaders, they remain calm in a crisis and are not
easily swayed by opposition. Although serious minded, they
are cheerful and optimistic and do not give up easily.
The Ruling Deity - The Father of all Gods, The Dagda rules
this sign.
The Druic Animal - The Wren, the Celtic king of the birds,
symbolises wit and sublety - Oaks must temper pride with
humour or they become pompus and overbearing.
Planetary Ruler - Jupiter
Ogham Word - Duir
The Holly Tree.. 8 July -
4 August - When Celtic Chieftains chose
a successor, he was crowned with a Holly wreath. The ever-green
Holly was thought to repel enemies, and warriors carried
Holy wood cudgels. Holly people are practical, capable and
steadfast in adversity, cautious, logical and efficient.
They have good business sense but prefer to assist rather
than lead. In relationships they are supportive, protective
and possessive.
The Ruling Deity - The Smith God Govannon rules this sign
The Druic Animal - The Unicorn symbolises purity and strength
- Holies must be less perfectionistic or they may suffer
loss of confidence and direction.
Planetary Ruler - Earth
Ogham Word - Tinne, crime punishable by death to fell one.
The Hazel Tree ... 5 August
- 1 September - It was thought magical
skills and knowledge could be gained from eating Hazel nuts.
Hazel people are artistic. They have lively, analytical
minds and make inspiring teachers. Imaginative, they are
radical and idealistic thinkers.
The Ruling Deity - The Sea God Manannan Mac Lir, a master
of disguise, rules this sign.
The Druic Animal - To the Celts, the Salmon is the oldest
and wisest animal, symbolising inspiration - Hazels need
to express their creativity or they can become morbid and
introspective
Planetary Ruler - Mercury
Ogham Word - Coll
The Vine Tree.. 2 September
- 29 September - The Grapevine requires
care to bear fruit in the cool Celtic climate and became
a symbol of sacred knowledge and spiritual initiation. Vine
people are discriminating, authoritative and set high personal
standards. They appear cool and detached but are secret
romantics and can be sensitive, vulnerable and self critical.
Keenly perceptive, they have an eye for detail and refined
aesthetic taste.
The Ruling Deity - The Tuatha De Danaan Gods of Light rule
this sign.
The Druic Animal - The Swan symbolises grace and beauty
- Vines must overcome a tendency to procrastinate or they
can become lost in worry and negativity.
Planetary Ruler - Venus
Ogham Word - Muin
The Ivy Tree.. 30 September
- 27 October - The power of the Ivy to cling
and bind made it a potent symbol of determination and strength.
Ivy can strange trees and was a portent of death and spiritual
growth. Ivy people are restless, socialble and good natured.
Cheerful, expansive and magnetic, they win friends easily
and dislike offending others. Although often indecisive,
they are not weak willed and tackle difficult tasks with
infectious optimism.
The Ruling Deity - The faery bride Guinevere rules this
sign
The Druic Animal - The Butterfly symbolises faery faith
- Ivy people must not get too caught up in others problems
or they can suffer disappointment and betrayal.
Planetary Ruler - Persephone
Ogham Word - Gort
The Reed Tree.. 28 October
- 24 November - The Druids
believed the Reed was a tree because of its dense root system.
Cut Reeds were used as pens and symbolised wisdom and scholarship.
Reed people are complex, tenacious and fearless. Proud and
independent, they have great strength of character and rarely
compromise. They thrive on challenge and have an innate
belief in their own destiny.
The Ruling Deity - The Celtic God the Underworld, Pwyll
rules this sign
The Druic Animal - Hound or Dog was a title of honour for
Celtic Chieftains as the Dog symbolised enduring loyalty
- Reeds must unite a sense of purpose with their strong
will or they can become self destructive.
Planetary Ruler - Pluto
Ogham Word - Ngetal
The Elder Tree.. 25 November
- 23 December - The Elder tree was sacred
to the faeries and branches were hung above stables to protect
horses from evil spirits. It was unlucky to burn Elder and
an omen of death to bring it indoors. Elder people are self
sufficient, lively, impetuous and outspoken. They dislike
routine and refuse to be pressured by others. Restless and
highly energetic, they thrive on change and need constant
mental and physical challenge.
The Ruling Deity - The crown Goddess and celtic tribal mother
Cailleach Beara rules this sign.
The Druic Animal - The Raven symbolises healing and protection
- Elders must learn to use change as a positive force in
their lives or they can become reckless and confused
Planetary Ruler - Saturn
Ogham Word - Ruis
Celtic Tree Astrology Signs
Author: Thomas O Donovan
Celtic Tree Astrology is the astrological system practised
by the ancient Irish. It is based on an ancient Celtic symbol
system. The Celtic Zodiac is drawn from the beliefs of the
Druids
and is based on the cycles of the moon. The year is divided
into 13 lunar months, with a tree (sacred to the druids)
assigned to each month. Each tree has particular magical
qualities whose secret mysteries come from the ancient Celtic
alphabet, the Ogram.The Celts envisioned the entire Universe
in the form of a tree, whose roots grew deep below (in the
ground) and whose branches reached up high (into the Heavens).
In time, the Celtic people eventually designated a tree
to each of the 13 Moon Phase's in their calendar, in accordance
with its magical properties. As such the Celtic Zodiac is
based upon the cycles of the Moon, with the year divided
into the 13 lunar months established by the Druid religion.
The Druid
religion was based mainly upon an awareness of natural and
supernatural energies. These energies were identified with
spirits and the Celtic Druids believed that trees were given
these spirits, who dwelt within, and were perceived as attributes
of the Supreme Being. Thus, trees were considered living
entities, possessed with Infinite Knowledge and Wisdom...symbolically
representative of the Cycle of Life, Death and Renewal,
and symbolically connected with the three planes of existence:
mind, body, and spirit. To Christians, it illustrated the
essential core of Christian belief where God was the Father,
the Son, and the Holy Spirit. For both beliefs, the Trinity
Knot symbolized the way in which the three separate essences
were vitally interconnected.
On the whole, Celtic societies were based upon the equality
and balance between the male and the female...the female
Druidesses being symbolized by the Spirits who lived in
the sacred trees. Each Celtic Zodiac Sign corresponds to
a given tree, a letter of the Ogham alphabet, a Guardian
Animal, a Celtic God, and other items such as Gemstones.
The Celts have a long tradition of astrological learning
stretching back to a time long before Christianity and the
incoming of Greek and Latin learning. For too long now this
extensive and rich tradition of Celtic Astrology has been
sadly neglected. The Druid
religion was based mainly upon an awareness of natural and
supernatural energies. These energies were identified with
spirits and the Celtic Druids believed that trees were given
these spirits, who dwelt within, and were perceived as attributes
of the Supreme Being. Thus, trees were considered living
entities, possessed with Infinite Knowledge and Wisdom...symbolically
representative of the Cycle of Life, Death and Renewal,
and symbolically connected with the three planes of existence:
mind, body, and spirit. To Christians, it illustrated the
essential core of Christian belief where God was the Father,
the Son, and the Holy Spirit. For both beliefs, the Trinity
Knot symbolized the way in which the three separate essences
were vitally interconnected.
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/astrology-articles/celtic-tree-astrology-signs-607360.html