The Celtic Tree Calendar

The Celtic zodiac is based on the cycle of the moon with the year divided into thirteen lunar months. Each moon is associated with a tree sacred to the Druids. The Druids believed the human race originally descended from the trees and that each tree had particular magical qualities. They encoded these mysteries in a secret shamanic alphabet, known as the Ogham, the origin of which is ascribed to Ogma, the Celtic God of Poetry. The thirteen tree-months each corresponded to a tree, a letter of the Ogham alphabet, a Ruling Planet, a Guardian Animal and a Celtic God as shown in the following table:

24 Dec-20 Jan	Ruling Deity	Druidic Animal	Planetary Ruler	Ogham Word
The Birch Tree	The Celtic Warrior God Lugh, inventor of all arts and crafts, rules this sign	The white stag symbolizes high ideals and aspirations	Sun	Beithe
To the druids, the Birch represented renewal and rebirth as it was the first tree in leaf after winter. Birch people are determined, resilient and ambitious. Good organizers, leaders and strategists, they are not deterred by setbacks, believing hard work, patience and persistence will triumph. They are loyal, but reserved in showing affection. Birch people need a goal in life or they become depressed and pessimistic.
21 Jan-17 Feb	Ruling Deity	Druidic Animal	Planetary Ruler	Ogham Word
The Rowan Tree	Brigid, the Goddess of fertility and poetry, rules this sign	The Dragon symbolizes inspiration and imagination	Uranus	Luis
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. Rowans need an outlet for their powerful imagination or they can become restless and quarrelsome.
18 Feb-17 Mar	Ruling Deity	Druidic Animal	Planetary Ruler	Ogham Word
The Ash Tree	Gwydion, The magician, storyteller and trickster, rules the sign	The Adder symbolizes wisdom and spiritual energy	Neptune	Nion
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 intelligent, persuasive speakers, enthusiastic, inquisitive and communicative. They love discussing new ideas and projects. Ash people need to focus their mental abilities or they can become nervous and irritable.
18 Mar-14 Apr	Ruling Deity	Druidic Animal	Planetary Ruler	Ogham Word
The Alder Tree	Bran the Blessed, the God of the spirit world, rules this sign	The Fox symbolizes skill in diplomacy	Mars	Fern
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 determined 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. Alders must learn the art of diplomacy or they waste energy in fruitless disputes.
15 Apr-12 May	Ruling Deity	Druidic Animal	Planetary Ruler	Ogham Word
The Willow Tree	Ceridwen, the Celtic Moon Goddess, rules this sign	The Hare symbolizes adaptation and intuition	Moon	Sail
The Willow was sacred to the Moon and in Celtic mythology, 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. Willows must trust their inner voice or they can become moody and chronically indecisive.
13 May-9 Jun	Ruling Deity	Druidic Animal	Planetary Ruler	Ogham Word
The Hawthorn Tree	Olwen, the summer flower maiden, rules this sign	The Owl symbolizes wisdom and patience	Vulcan	Uath
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. Hawthorns must develop patience or hasty action can sabotage their best efforts.
10 Jun-7 Jul	Ruling Deity	Druidic Animal	Planetary Ruler	Ogham Word
The Oak Tree	The Dagda, the Father of all Gods, rules this sign	The Wren, the Celtic king of the birds, symbolizes wit and subtlety	Jupiter	Duir
The Oak was the sacred tree of the Druids, symbolizing 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. Oaks must temper pride with humor or they become pompous and overbearing.
8 Jul-4 Aug	Ruling Deity	Druidic Animal	Planetary Ruler	Ogham Word
The Holly Tree	Govannon, the Smith God, rules this sign	The Unicorn symbolizes purity and strength	Earth	Tinne
When Celtic Chieftains chose a successor, he was crowned with a Holly wreath. The evergreen Holly was thought to repel enemies, and warriors carried Holly 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. Hollies must be less perfectionistic or they may suffer loss of confidence and direction.
5 Aug-1 Sep	Ruling Deity	Druidic Animal	Planetary Ruler	Ogham Word
The Hazel Tree	Manannan Mac Lir, the Sea God, a master of disguise, rules this sign	To the Celts, the Salmon is the oldest and wisest animal, symbolizing inspiration	Mercury	Coll
The Hazel was the tree of wisdom and it was a crime punishable by death to fell one. 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. Hazels need to express their creativity or they can become morbid and introspective.
2 Sep-29 Sep	Ruling Deities	Druidic Animal	Planetary Ruler	Ogham Word
The Vine Tree	The Tuatha De Danann, Gods of Light, rule this sign	The Swan symbolizes grace and beauty	Venus	Muin
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. Vines must overcome a tendency to procrastinate or they can become lost in worry and negativity.
30 Sep-27 Oct	Ruling Deity	Druidic Animal	Planetary Ruler	Ogham Word
The Ivy Tree	Guinevere, the Faery bride, rules this sign	Butterfly symbolizes Faery faith	Persephone	Gort
The power of the Ivy to cling and bind made it a potent symbol of determination and strength. Ivy can strangle trees and was a portent of both death and spiritual growth. Ivy people are restless, sociable 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. Ivy people must not get too caught up in others problems or they can suffer disappointment and betrayal.
28 Oct-24 Nov	Ruling Deity	Druidic Animal	Planetary Ruler	Ogham Word
The Reed Tree	Pwyll, the Celtic God the Underworld, rules this sign	Hound or Dog was a title of honour for Celtic Chieftains as the Dog symbolized enduring loyalty	Pluto	Ngetal
The Druids believed the Reed was a tree because of its dense root system. Cut Reeds were used as pens and symbolized 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. Reeds must unite a sense of purpose with their strong will or they can become self-destructive.
25 Nov-23 Dec	Ruling Deity	Druidic Animal	Planetary Ruler	Ogham Word
The Elder Tree	Cailleach Beara, the crown Goddess and Celtic tribal mother, rules this sign	The Raven symbolizes healing and protection	Saturn	Ruis
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. Elders must learn to use change as a positive force in their lives or they can become reckless and confused.

Thx to Starra, the Faerie Queen