Book of Spirituality

Celtic Tree Calender

The old Celtic Tree Calendar is exactly what it sounds like; it is a divide of the seasons and year by tree and their physical/spiritual presence in the world. I do not personally consider the Celtic Tree Calendar in my daily life and practise but I do find it interesting and for the sake of learning all that I can I've decided to look into it.

Birch (Dec 24th-Jan 20th)

When a forested area burns, birch is the first to grow back

Characteristics of Birch

· Rebirth and regeneration

· Creativity and fertility magick

· Tie a bit of red ribbon/thorn around a birch tree to ward of negativity

· Healing and protection

Rowan (Jan 21st-Feb 17th)

Associated with the Celtic Goddess of the Hearth Brigid

In some countries Rowan trees are planted in graveyards to keep the dead from rising again.

Characteristics of Rowan

· Perfect time to perform initiations or self-dedication

· Astral travel, personal power and success

· A rune carved into rowan will keep the wearer safe from harm

Ash (Feb 18th-Mar 17th)

Yggdrasil was/is an ash tree and the spear of Odin was made from it's branches

One of the three trees Sacred to the Druids

Characteristics of ash

· Magick focusing on inner self

· Ocean rituals, prophetic dreams, magick potency and spiritual journey

· Tools made of ash are said to be more productive than ones made of other woods

· Placing a branch of ash in a cradle keeps the baby from being swapped with a changling

Alder (Mar 18th-Apr 14th)

Bridges the gap between the spiritual world and earth

Characteristics of alder

· Time for making spiritual decisions

· Magick related to prophecy and divination

· Get in touch with your intuition

· Alder flowers and branches can be used in faerie magick

· Ideal wood for making a piper or other wind instruments

Willow (Apr 15th-May 12th)

The willow tree is sacred to the triple Goddess

In the Celtic creation story, the willow was the first tree and hanging from its branches were two eggs. From one egg came the Sun and from the other came the Earth.

Characteristics of Willow

· Used in magickal practise to increase psychic abilities

· Celtic animal symbol is the sea serpent

· The tree is known to be mysterious and hard to know

· Intelligent and cunning with the will to never give up

· The tree has a great memory

Hawthorn (May 13th-June 9th)

Has a raw phallic energy to it.

Characteristic of Hawthorn

· Time for fertility, masculine energy and fire

· Magick related to masculine energy, business decisions and making professional decisions

· Attracts the fae when grown alongside ash and oak

Oak (June 10th-July 7th)

The oak King rules the summer

Characteristics of oak

· Towers in height and power over other trees

· One of the sacred trees of the druids

· Magick for protection, strength, fertility, money and success

· Carry a piece of oak in your pocket for good luck to things like job interviews

Holly (July 8th- Aug 4th)

Reminds us of the immortality of nature

Characteristics of holly

· Symbol of masculine energy and firmness

· Protective magick

· Hang a sprig in your house to ensure good luck

· Make holly water by soaking leaves overnight under full moon to create a cleansing spray

Hazel (Aug 5th-Sept 1st)

Comes from the Celt word "coll" which translates to "the life force inside you."

Characteristics of hazel

· Hazelnuts are associated with wisdom and protection

· Magick relating to wisdom and knowledge

· Divination and dream work

· Find inspiration in your talents

Vine (Sept 2nd-Sept 29th)

Characteristic of vine

· Passionate emotions both good and bad

· Garden magick

· Celebrate the darker aspect of your Gods/Goddesses

· Good time to get balanced

Ivy- Sept 30th-Oct 27th)

A reminder to us that life goes on as ivy often leves after its host has died

Characteristics of ivy

· Time to banish the negative from your life

· Take time to improve yourself and put up walls between you and what is toxic

· Magickal workings for healing, protection and cooperation

Reed (Oct 28th-Nov 23rd)

Characters of reed

· Used to make wind instruments (haunting sounds sometimes believed to be the dead calling)

· Time fro divination, scrying and seances

· Magick related to spirit guides, meditation, celebration of death and honoring the cycle of death and rebirth

Elder (Nov 24th-Dec 23rd)

Although the elder is damaged easily, it bounces back quickly

Characteristics of elder

· Creativity and renewal

· Beginnings and endings, birth and death

· Said to protect from demons and other negative energies