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    Celtic Tree and Animal Spirit Astrology
    Celtic Tree and Animal Spirit Astrology
    Celtic Tree and Animal Spirit Astrology
    Ebook201 pages2 hours

    Celtic Tree and Animal Spirit Astrology

    By Carole Somerville

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    About this ebook

    A unique and exciting new Astrology System based on a blend of Celtic Tree knowledge, ancient wisdom and modern astrology Celtic Tree and Animal Spirit Astrology is a completely new and carefully devised system of astrology linking many aspects of Celtic myth and symbolism into the modern-day zodiac.

    The Celts saw trees as a link with the supernatural world. Trees provided a connection to the world of spirits and ancestors through doorways into other worlds. Celtic tree astrology is the astrology system believed to be practised by the ancient Irish, based on natural symbolism: the tree. There are a number of versions of Tree Astrology, many centred on the cycles of the moon with the year divided into the 13 lunar months established by the Druid religion. The system used in this book draws specifically on the trees of the Ogham (the Celtic Alphabet and core behind the concept of Celtic Tree Astrology) known to be native in Ireland in Celtic times.

    Symbols and deities drawn from Celtic myths, festivals and documents have been linked with symbols, associations and attributes of the modern-day zodiac to offer insight into psychology, spirituality and life path depending on the reader’s Celtic Tree.

    As well as delving deeper into the meaning of each tree, this book weaves modern astrology practices, Celtic myths and festivals and known associations of animals through Celtic and other cultures into the Celtic Tree System. This combination of the author’s knowledge of astrology, psychology and symbolism will take you on one of the most wondrous of all journeys: the journey of self-discovery.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherCarole Somerville
    Release dateJan 4, 2015
    ISBN9781478109143
    Celtic Tree and Animal Spirit Astrology
    Author

    Carole Somerville

    Carole is a qualified astrologer and has a degree in Psychology, Education and English Literature. She is also a Certified Reiki Master. Astrology is Carole's main subject. Psychology, the tarot, dream interpretation, history and spiritual realms fascinate her too. Carole has been addicted to writing from the moment she could hold a pen and counts her blessings to have been able to make a career out of something she loves.In the 1980s Carole was the leading writer for key astrology magazines in the UK including Destiny, Your Stars, Exploring the Supernatural and Your Future. In the 1990's Carole's print media clients extended to include The Daily Mirror, The People and Destiny. Carole's work began to incorporate problem pages, dream analysis and information booklets. Between 1994 and 1996 she was astrologer for the Scottish newspaper The Sunday Post. This led to Carole becoming astrologer for a number of other regional newspapers.Carole has also worked as a consultant for the Psychic Friends Network and helped them establish and then write their quarterly magazine Destiny. In recent years along with Carole's astrological work, she has been studying complementary therapies and Reiki. Her books include fiction as well as non-fiction.

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      Book preview

      Celtic Tree and Animal Spirit Astrology - Carole Somerville

      DEDICATION

      For their help and encouragement while I was devising and writing this new Celtic Tree Astrology System: thank you Bob, Graham and Maureen

      To dwellers in a wood, almost every species of tree has its voice as well as its feature. (Thomas Hardy, Under the Greenwood Tree)

      Celtic Tree and Animal Spirit Astrology

      A unique and exciting new Astrology System based on a blend of Celtic Tree knowledge, ancient wisdom and modern astrology.

      Celtic Tree and Animal Spirit Astrology is a completely new and carefully devised system of astrology linking many aspects of Celtic myth and symbolism into the modern-day zodiac.

      The Celts saw trees as a link with the supernatural world. Trees provided a connection to the world of spirits and ancestors through doorways into other worlds.

      Celtic tree astrology is the astrology system believed to be practised by the ancient Irish, based on natural symbolism: the tree. There are a number of versions of Tree Astrology, many centred on the cycles of the moon with the year divided into the 13 lunar months established by the Druid religion.

      The system used in this book draws specifically on the trees of the Ogham (the Celtic Alphabet and core behind the concept of Celtic Tree Astrology) known to be native in Ireland in Celtic times. Symbols and deities drawn from Celtic myths, festivals and documents have been linked with symbols, associations and attributes of the modern-day zodiac to offer insight into psychology, spirituality and life path depending on the reader’s Celtic Tree.

      As well as delving deeper into the meaning of each tree, this book weaves modern astrology practices, Celtic myths and festivals and known associations of animals through Celtic and other cultures into the Celtic Tree System. This combination of the author’s knowledge of astrology, psychology and symbolism will take you on one of the most wondrous of all journeys: the journey of self-discovery.

      Contents

      Part (i)

      Celtic Tree and Animal Spirit Astrology – Page 11

      The Celtic Tree Alphabet – Page 19

      The Celtic Lunar Calendar and Trees – Page 21

      Celtic Tree Calendar and Traditional Zodiac Signs – Page 23

      Part (ii)

      Celtic Tree & Animal Spirit Astrology –

      Spring Equinox – 21 March – Aries Oak – Page 26

      Summer Solstice – 21 June – Gemini Holly – Page 34

      Autumn Equinox – 22 September – Virgo Hazel – Page 40

      Winter Solstice – 22 December – Capricorn Yew – Page 46

      Birth date: 22 – 31 March ARIES ALDER – Page 52

      Birth date: 1 – 10 April ARIES BRAMBLE – Page 55

      Birth date: 11-20 April ARIES GORSE – Page 58

      Birth date: 21 Apr – 1 May TAURUS HONEYSUCKLE – Page 61

      Birth date: 2 – 11 May TAURUS BLACKTHORN – Page 64

      Birth date: 12 – 21 May TAURUS HAWTHORN – Page 67

      Birth date: 22 – 31 May GEMINI ELM – Page 70

      Birth date: 1- 10 June GEMINI BROOM – Page 73

      Birth date: 11 – 20 June GEMINI HAWTHORN – Page 76

      Birth date: 22 Jun – 1 July CANCER ASH – Page 79

      Birth date: 2 - 11 July CANCER BIRCH – Page 82

      Birth date: 12 – 23 July CANCER ELDER – Page 85

      Birth date: 24 July – 1 Aug LEO HEATHER – Page 88

      Birth date: 2 – 12 Aug LEO ASPEN – Page 91

      Birth date: 13 – 23 Aug LEO GORSE – Page 94

      Birth date: 24 Aug – 2 Sept VIRGO WITCH HAZEL – Page 97

      Birth date: 3 – 12 Sept VIRGO WILLOW – Page 100

      Birth date: 13 – 21 Sept VIRGO SPINDLE – Page 103

      Birth date: 23 Sept – 2 Oct LIBRA APPLE – Page 106

      Birth date: 3 – 12 Oct LIBRA PINE – Page 109

      Birth date: 13 – 22 Oct LIBRA GORSE – Page 112

      Birth date: 23 Oct – 2 Nov SCORPIO REED – Page 115

      Birth date: 3 – 12 Nov SCORPIO ROWAN – Page 118

      Birth date: 13 – 22 Nov SCORPIO VINE – Page 121

      Birth date: 23 Nov – 2 Dec SAGITTARIUS ALDER – Page 124

      Birth date: 3 – 12 Dec SAGITTARIUS ASPEN – Page 127

      Birth date: 13 – 21 Dec SAGITTARIUS FIR – Page 130

      Birth date: 23 – 31 Dec CAPRICORN ELDER – Page 133

      Birth date: 1 – 10 Jan CAPRICORN BLACKTHORN – Page 136

      Birth date: 11 – 20 Jan  CAPRICORN POPLAR – Page  139

      Birth date: 21 -30 Jan AQUARIUS ROWAN – Page 142

      Birth date: 31 Jan – 9 Feb AQUARIUS IVY – Page 145

      Birth date: 10 – 19 Feb AQUARIUS GORSE – Page 148

      Birth date: 20 – 29 Feb PISCES PINE – Page 151

      Birth date: 1 – 10 Mar PISCES WILLOW – Page 154

      Birth date: 11 – 20 Mar PISCES ASH – Page 158

      Celtic Tree Animal and Bird Spirits

      The Oak Tree – Page 161

      The Holly Tree – Page 163

      The Hazel Tree – Page 163

      The Yew Tree – Page 165

      Celtic Trees – Page 167

      Celtic Tree Animals and Birds – Page 174

      Part (i)

      Celtic Tree and Animal Spirit Astrology

      Life is a wonderful evolving journey; a journey with many paths and no one path is the only way. Before Christianity there was a deep and flourishing spirituality in Ireland that was in tune with nature. For the Celts, the world was a magical, unpredictable place ruled by unseen forces and supernatural elements. Every stone, tree, river and creature had a spirit or deity attached to it. Even the most mundane tasks were approached with reverence and respect owing to the need to pacify the Gods.          

      The Druids were an ancient order of Celtic priests responsible for practicing and passing on the mythological and religious traditions of their people. They specialised in the practices of magic, ritual and sacrifice and were particularly associated with oak trees and mistletoe (the parasitic herb often found growing on oak trees). Druids were the seers and teachers to whom kings and warriors turned for counsel and advice. Celtic culture was a tripartite system based on the three-fold divisions of the spiritual/intellectual leaders, the Druids; the ruling/warrior class; and the class of producers which included hunters, merchants and in later periods, agricultural producers.

      Because of their all-embracing training Druids were regarded as being the only ones who could perform certain rites, rituals and sacrifices. The Celts held the ritual authority of the Druids in high esteem and respected their teachings, often consulting the Druids and seeking their wisdom on a variety of matters. The Druids instructed young men, would oversee sacrifices, judge quarrels and were exempt from warfare.

      In Celtic times, the land was covered with forests so thick it was said that a squirrel could hop from branch to branch from one end of Europe to the other without touching the ground. In this environment it isn’t surprising that the forest was perceived as the axis of man’s sustenance, existence and spirituality.

      The Tree of Life

      The Druids believed the Celtic tree of life was rooted in the centre of the land and this sacred tree sheltered all life on earth. Its branches, according to folk lore, reached high up into the heavens and touched every single star. Trees, as well as symbolising an individual’s quest for spiritual fulfilment, also represented nature’s bounty and the eternal cycle of the seasons.

      The Druids would observe the way leaves transformed from a cautious bud in the spring to a fresh green unfurling fullness in the summer. Then from their verdant midsummer strength, came the browns, reds, gold and yellows of the autumn. This would be followed by the crisp brown of frost time as they shrivelled, clung and fell to earth to join the rich litter of the forest floor that would eventually nourish the parent plant.

      The Druids would sense the way the new leaves waited, hidden through the ‘dark time’ like a dream in the back of the mind that held no real shape or substance until once again in the spring, tiny buds would break forth symbolising new life, new hopes and new promises for the future.

      Trees are the solid centre of being and thus, in Celtic times, were the centre for gatherings and exchange of knowledge. The ancient Celts believed that in order for man to reach his inner self he must first recognise his connection to the earth and nature.

      Communities relied on the Druids for a variety of roles including that of priest, poet, philosopher, seer, historian, scholar, teacher, healer, astronomer and astrologer. Druid priests and priestesses acted as mediums through which the spirits could be summoned and heard. Many of their rituals continue to be enacted throughout history in sacred groves of oak trees and circles of standing stones.

      The rituals of our Celtic ancestors were closely tied to the growing season and attuned to the forces and changes of nature. Also tied to these practices are the unseen spirits or spiritual energy.

      What is fascinating, when looking at the rites, magic and spiritual aspect of our ancient past is that so much can be woven into the astrology and spiritual beliefs of today.

      Life is a flowing process of energy and nature. Some patterns repeat and evolve as people return to an awareness of how ancient spirituality can be meaningful and relevant in the modern world. This includes an awareness of the related energy in all living things, including humans, animals and creatures, plants and trees.

      Trees in Myths and Belief Systems

      The Druids weren’t the only culture to believe in spirits or the magical powers of trees. A Divine World Tree or Tree of Life, the mythic bridge between the Gods and humans is a concept that can be traced back to many ancient cultures; the World Tree being the centre axis of the Universe. Each civilization had its own traditions, customs and tree lore. For instance:

      The Bodhi Tree was a sacred Fig tree under which Buddha obtained enlightenment.

      The sacred tree of Romulus was worshipped until the last days of the Roman Empire. On a slope of the Palatine Hill, the cornel tree was considered the most sacred object in all Rome.

      The Hidasta Indians of North America would approach the ‘shade’ or ‘tree spirit’ of the cotton wood with reverence to gain answers to questions and solutions to problems.

      Trunks of the silk cotton trees in West Africa were worshiped as being the abode of the Gods.

      In Siberia, the birch tree, (serving as the bridge between the world and the realm of spirits and gods), is the world tree for Shamanic wisdom.

      The cypress, cedar, myrtle and willow all have ritual meaning in Jewish festivals and lifecycle celebration, representing the feminine and masculine, immortality and return or repentance.

      In Egypt, the evergreen date palm was a sacred tree and a palm branch was the symbol of the god Heh.

      Tree Spirits and Astrology

      The Celtic Tree Zodiac was developed out of the Druid’s natural connection with earth cycles and their worship of the sacred knowledge held by trees. The Druids had a profound connection with nature and, derived from their belief that trees were vessels of infinite wisdom, it is now thought that the ancients linked qualities of trees to human life and personality. A child born in a certain month would develop the virtues and vices of the spirit of the tree associated with their month of birth.

      The Celtic landscape merged the inexhaustible mystery of nature, the daring exploits of gods and heroes and the folklore that drew on both. Each tree had its own personality and resident spirit. The seasonal changes and cycles of leaf growth of deciduous trees gave rise to myths about death and resurrection while the evergreen species brought assurance of life in the death time, which was winter.

      Within each tree dwells spirits, effectively the ‘living soul’ of the tree, according to Celtic belief. These spirits offer wisdom, healing and magic to those who are willing to listen and learn. Their appearances vary

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