Category: Mythology
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The Celtic Myth of the Twin Kings
Come to think of it, maybe the reason for the seasons is sibling rivalry When the winter solstice arrives on Sunday, December 21, 2025, at 10:03 a.m., EST, it will be recognized as the shortest day of the year. To the ancient Celts, however, it was a celebration of hope, for it was the moment…
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Reading the Reeds
The Celtic tree for October 28 to November 24 is the reed. Represented by the letter N, ngetal (pronounced nyettle) is the 13th letter of the Ogham alphabet. It symbolizes wisdom, adaptability, and protection. Following the lunar cycle of 28 days, the Celtic Tree Calendar tracks the year in terms of trees, not months, and…
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The Vine that Grows on You
Correction: The Ogham symbol associated with the period from September 2 – 29 is Muin, the eleventh letter of the Ogham alphabet. Gort is associated with the Ivy Month, September 30 through October 27. Muin represents the vine, which produces grapes, and in turn, wine. The vine is connected to prophecy and truthful speaking–because typically,…
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Pump Up Your Life Force with Hazel
With the apex of summer comes Coll, the Irish name of the ninth letter of the Ogham alphabet. Represented by the rune ᚉ, which means “hazel tree” or “inner life force,” Coll spans August 5 to September 1 in the Celtic Tree Calendar. Known as “The Knowledge Keeper,” the hazel was associated with inspiration, wisdom,…
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Strong and Mysterious, the Alder Facilitates Transition
In the Celtic Tree Calendar, the Alder (or Fearn) Moon spans mid-March to mid-April. Coinciding with the spring equinox, the Alder Moon symbolizes balance and transition. The Alder month, called fairin by the Celts and fearnóg in Modern Irish, is represented by the third consonant in the ogham alphabet and comes from the Proto-Celtic **wernā.…
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Hounded into a Story
As published in the Gazette, a publication of the Gulf Coast Writers Association, January 2025 Imagine a Celtic Karate Kid in a Percy Jackson adventure. The result is Hounded, a contemporary coming-of-age novel inspired by the legendary Irish warrior, hero, and demigod Cú Chulainn [koo KULL-an]. Written for a middle-grade audience, Hounded tells the story…
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Bold and Resilient, Birch Symbolizes Renewal
Birch, the first lunar month in the Celtic Tree Calendar, coincides with the new growth cycle that begins with first light after the winter solstice. Spanning the days between December 24 and January 20, the month is dedicated to renewal and recovery. The birch is singularly suited for that distinction. Despite its elegant, pendulous branches,…
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Samhain—Enduring Night of the Living Dead
With its ghouls, jack-o-lanterns, and trick-or-treaters shouting BOO, Halloween is the unadulterated descendent of Samhain, the ancient Celtic festival of the dead. Pronounced SOW (rhymes with cow) –in, the word comes from the Proto-Indo-European root word *semo- (summer), and the Proto-Celtic *samoni- (reunion, assembly). It literally means “an assembly to celebrate the harvest.” The Celts…