Learning to keep time by the moon is one of the basic building blocks of the Craft. There are many moon calendars from many parts of the world. I have chosen to share this Celtic Tree Calendar with you all for a number of reasons. It is relatively accessible for one thing. Its European origins give it resonance in this place and time, and its connection with Celtic magick is very attractive to me. The tree lore is magickally useful too. Each moon is linked to a particular tree that serves a seasonal as well as magickal purpose. There is also a language connected with each cycle, for the first letters of the tree names are an alphabet. There are thirteen consonants in the alphabet, each of which goes with its month and tree. There are also five vowels, which are applied to five solar holy days. We can see how the ancient Celts linked their mysteries with language in a very graphic way, for them poetry and myth were essential ingredients of magick, and trees were seen as the Goddess' thoughts. As you develop sensitivity to the moon's cycles and changes, you will find your power and magick growing rhythmically and naturally through time.

December 23rd has no associated moon because it was the traditional "day" of the "year and a day

Birch Moon (Beth / B )- The birch is the tree of inception, purification, creativity, protection of children or beginnings. She is self-propagating, and so is an excellent symbol for the Goddess as Her own source. Her branches are considered to be protective and can be used for dispelling evil influences. When a lover offers a branch it means, "You may begin". With the Beth or Birch moon, the wheel of the lunar year rebirths and we can plant our seeds for the coming cycle.

December 24 to January 20

Rowan Moon (Luis / L )(Also known as Quickbeam or Mountain Ash) - With the Rowan moon, life forces quicken and take hold. The tree is associated with healing, vision, spirit, personal empowerment and divination. Seeds are forming beneath the wintry earth. The red Rowan berries are said to give the sustenance of nine meals and to heal the hurts of the wounded. Rowan wands were once used to detect the presence of metal and spirits can be summoned over fires made of her wood. She is known for her oracular powers, and thickets of Rowan have been found in abundance near the sites of standing stone circles.

January 21 to February 17

Ash Moon (Nion / N )- "I am the Ash, I am Nion, A life and water tree..." The watery Ash moon is a time of rains and floods. The wood of the Ash tree is said to give protection from drowning and for healing. Yygdrasill, the Scandinavian mythic tree of life, was a great Ash tree, beneath which the Goddess as the fates or Norns gave prophesy and justice. She is used to conjure rain and "court the flash of lightening"

February 18 to March 17

Alder Moon ( Fearn F or V)- The Alder is deemed a most sacred tree, connected with the powers of fire and the ability to withstand the corrosive effects of water. It is associated with self-guidance, teaching, duty, mental clarity, and weather magick. Her wood is used in the making of charcoal. When cut she bleeds a red sap much like human blood. Legend has it that a cruel man once cut down a great Alder tree that was inhabited by a tree spirit. She screamed and bled as she fell, and a terrible curse fell upon the man. He was haunted by the hag Famine, and was forced to devour greater and greater amounts of food with no satisfaction. Finally he turned and devoured himself. This is a clear symbol of the patriarch's abuse of his Goddess-source and eventual self-destruction. The Alder Moon heralds the coming of Spring when the Maiden Goddess is reborn. The waters of winter recede as the energies of fire swell.

March 18 to April 14

Willow Moon (Saille /S)- The graceful Willow is a most magickal tree, long associated with muses, witches, healing, protection, fertility, love & relationships, balance, the Witches Moon, the Women's Moon and Goddesses of the dark and the underworld. Willow is called Helice in Greek and gives her name to Mount Helicon where the nine Muses dwell. Thus she is particularly akin to the moon and states of divine madness, ecstasy, and psychic intensity.

April 15 to May 12

Hawthorne (Uath / H) - Hawthorne or May is a cleansing moon, a time of chastity and purification, of fertility, restraint, summer, peace, binding, summer. Our sister ancestors would clean out the temples at this time and abstain from sexual contact in preparation for the rites of Summer. In Ireland, Hawthorne grew over sacred wells and it was considered most unlucky to cut them down.

May 13 to June 9

Oak Moon (Duir / D) - This is the seventh moon, central to the number 13, with six on the other side. The oak is the sturdiest tree, and forms the pivotal power of the year. Duir means door, the sacred dolman opening ruled by Cardea, Goddess of the hinge, who looks both forward and back in time. It is associated with strength, security, fidelity, all purposes, the Men's Moon. Thus we can approach this moon time as an opportunity to assess our progress at mid-point of the cycle and plan out our intentions for the six remaining moons. The Oak is the Queen of trees, whose roots grow as deeply into the earth as her branches reach overhead, symbolizing equal power in conscious daily life and the subterranean worlds of magick. Her wood burns hot and slow and is best for sustained fires.

June 10 to July 17

Holly Moon (Tinne /T) - " The Holly and the Ivy, When they are full grown, of all the trees that grow in the wood, the Holly bears the crown." With the Holly Moon, the year begins to wane once more. Holly means "holy" and is said to be a tree of protection, defence, polarity, prophesy, animals, and sex magick. Native Americans believe that the thorns of holly leaves repel evil spirits, and plant her around their homes. Holly is always green and flowers anew this time of year, making her a good symbol of sustained life in the face of the waning sun.

July 8 to August 4

Hazel Moon (Coll / C ) - Over the well of Connla the Poet grew the magickal Hazel Tree, whose nuts contained all wisdom. As these fell into the water, they were fed upon by the great Salmon who lived there and was consulted for insight and prophecy. The year becomes wise as she grows in experience and cycles toward her darkening time. Hazel is the moon of wisdom, numbered nine and sacred to the Muse, associated with The Wise One, the Crone, spirit contact, manifestation, fertility, protection, and wisdom.

August 5 to September 1

Vine Moon ( Muin /M )- "Wine is the true drink of poets" says Robert Graves, who found out that its original purpose was holy. The transformed grape induces altered states that give birth to poetic revelation and divine ecstasy. Today we know wine as a social ritual, and have almost lost its ancient uses. Muin is the vintage moon, a time of joy, exhilaration, and wrath. It is also the second harvest moon, containing the Autumn Equinox, often called the "Witches' Thanksgiving."

A time of Celebration and the turning of the wheel.

Blackberry: Protection and prosperity.

Blueberry: Spirituality, dream magick.

Grape: Fertility, prosperity, binding, inspiration, imagination

Thistle: Courage, strength, protection

September 2 to September 29

Ivy Moon ( Gort / G) - "I die where I cling" is the message of the Scorpionic ivy. She represents fidelity, friendship and attachment Healing, Resilience, protection, cooperation. Gort is a darkening moon, approaching the high holy day of Hallowe'en, when the death of the year is honored. Winter preparations are in progress and the Goddess turns within.

September 30 to October 27

Reed Moon ( Ngetal / Ng ) - This is the twelfth moon, the number of established power, preceding the death moon numbered 13. Reeds have musical connections in their use as wind instruments. As scepters, they are symbols of command. It is associated with the home, hearth, Winter Moon, Truth, Protection, family, and love.

October 28 to November 24

Elder Moon (Ruis / R ) - The Elder tree grows beside water and keeps its fruit well into December. It has been considered unlucky by those who fear witches, who were said to use its branches for their magick flying brooms. The flowers and inner bark are purifiers and are used for therapeutic purposes, also the flower is used in love and friendship spells. The Elder Moon helps us to accept and understand the Crone aspect, as we meditate on the necessity of endings in order to have new beginnings. It is associated with prosperity, banishing, healing, and completeness.

November 25 to December 22