The Celts' astronomical secrets: The Chão de Lamas lunula and the Coligny calendar connection

A groundbreaking study published in the journal Palaeohispanica has shed light on the ancient timekeeping practices of the Celts, centering on a unique piece of jewelry known as the lunula from the Chão de Lamas treasure in Portugal. Conducted by Professor Roberto Matesanz Gascón from the University of Valladolid, the research posits that this intricately designed gold artifact may hold crucial information regarding the synchronization of lunar and solar cycles within the Celtic calendar.

Traditionally viewed as a mere decorative item, the lunula — shaped like a half-moon and discovered in Chão de Lamas (Miranda do Corvo, Coimbra) — has now been reinterpreted. Matesanz's analysis of its complex geometric patterns suggests that it could serve as a visual representation of a Celtic calendrical cycle lasting 114 years. This timeframe aligns with six Metonic cycles, each spanning 19 years, which is a known astronomical framework that facilitates the alignment of lunar and solar calendars.

The Coligny calendar, an important epigraphic source from France dating back to the 2nd century AD, provides detailed insights into how the Celts structured their time. It organizes time into five-year cycles comprising 62 months, totaling 1,835 days. However, scholars have long debated how these cycles correspond to the tropical year of 365.24 days....<<<Read More>>>...

What is Ogham? A look at the ancient Irish alphabet

  Ogham, known as the 'Celtic Tree Alphabet,' dates back centuries and has several theories about its origins.

The ancient script of Ogham, sometimes known now as the 'Celtic Tree Alphabet,'  originally contained 20 letters grouped into four groups of five. Five more letters were later added creating a fifth group. Each of these groups was named after its first letter.

"Its twenty letters, called feda (= ‘trees’), group into four aicme (= ‘family, tribe’) of five letters each. Each letter is simply a cluster of one to five straight lines, scratched along the (usually) vertical edge of a stone.

"The first family (B – L – V/F – S – N) has lines drawn to the right of the edge-line (so one line is B, two lines is L, five lines is N, etc.).

"The second family (H – D – T – C – Q) has lines drawn to the left.

"The third (M – G – NG – ST – R) draws its lines diagonally across both sides of the edge

"And the fourth family (the vowels A – O – U – E – I) is drawn either as short marks on the edge itself, or straight across both sides of the edge."

As far as what Ogham was used for, Dr. Quinn explained: "All we know directly for certain is its use in writing personal names, in possessor form (So-and-So’s…), on the edges of standing stones and the like, as memorial (and possibly as territory/boundary) markers.

"But references in Old Irish (and later) literature also have characters writing Ogham on sticks to send messages, to record information, and to do magic."...<<<Read More>>>....

 

Quote for the Day

 

Quote for the Day

 

Quote for the Day

 

"Ruis" - An Ogham For November

 This is a time of transition; while one phase of life ends, another begins. With maturity and experience comes wisdom and knowledge. Remember that it's fine to be childlike, but not childish. 

New experiences and new phases of growth are continual, and these will all lead to spiritual renewal, and finally rebirth. Remember that the things we experience are all part of the formation of who we eventually become

R is Ruis, the Elder tree, which is connected to the time of the Winter Solstice. The Elder represents endings, maturity, and the awareness that comes with experience. Pronounced roo-esh, Ruis is a sign that things may be ending, but will yet begin again some day. Although the Elder is easily damaged, it recovers and is rejuvenated easily.

The Elder is also strongly connected with Goddess spirituality, and the workings of the Fae. The soft wood has a lightweight core that can be pushed out to create a hollow tube–perfect for a Faerie flute! Elder was also planted near dairy barns, in the belief that its presence would keep the cows in milk, and prevent collected milk from spoiling. Elder flowers and berries are often brewed to fight fever, cough, and sore throats...<<<Read More>>>....

Quote for the Day

 

Quote for the Day

 

Stone Magic

[Celtic Book Of Shadows]: Before you use your stone for magic, or as a talisman, it should be "Charged" or "Programmed" with the desired energies. As you will have seen in the crystal index, all stones possess a natural energy of their own. The knowledge of these natural powers has been passed down to us through the ages. Many ancient civilizations held great respect for the power stones held, and were often used as part of their religious life. The process we use for charging the stone personalizes this energy, and lets you focus your needs and intentions into the stone.

Some simple methods of energizing a crystal include leaving it in bright sunlight for a day, with the suns warm rays shining full on it. You can also use other crystals to assist in the cleansing and energizing process. A cluster of clear quartz is excellent for this. Simply sit the stone on the cluster for a couple of days. I would suggest that stones you are using to purify and energize others be cleansed on a regular basis, to rid them of any negative energy they have absorbed out of the other stones.

You can also program specific personal energies into a stone. First you need to choose a stone whose properties basically fit your requirements, and then you can narrow it down with your own energies. After the stone is fully cleansed, sit comfortably and hold the stone in your projective hand (right if you are right handed, and vice-versa). Picture the energy you want the stone to hold, and imagine this energy, whether it be love, wealth, protection, clairvoyance etc, flowing through you and into the crystal. Again, visualization is the key factor here. The more you can concentrate, and really SEE that energy flowing into the stone, the more effective the programming will be....<<<Read More>>>...

Quote for the Day

 Grant, oh Spirit, thy protection.

And in protection, strength

And in strength, understanding.

And in understanding, knowledge.

And in knowledge, the knowledge of justice.

And in the knowledge of justice, the love of it.

And in the love of it, the love of all existences.

And in the love of all existence,

The love of spirit and all goodness.

Ogham for 2022

 The Ogham is a unique ancient Celtic alphabet used for magic, divination, secret communication. It is of pure Celtic origin, and may have been created some 4000 - 5000 years ago. 

Using this ancient system, we look at what may be in store for us in 2022.

APPLE - Apple is the letter 'Q' and has the keyword 'love'. It is important to accept everything that has happened without any judgement. This includes individuals that have been in-just and cruel. 

OAK - Oak is the letter 'D' and has the keyword of 'boldness and endurance' A new door will open and it is necessary to cross that threshold without any fear. Take each day as it comes, and don't get ahead of yourself. The oak attracts lightning and a tree struck by lightning becomes something of a powerful talisman. Will lightning be permitted to strike twice? Or will be become aware of those who have nasty plans afoot next year? 10th June - 7th July.

HEATHER - Heather is the letter 'U' and has the keyword 'new perspectives'. There are options to gain new insights and to find solutions to problems that up until now appeared unsolvable. A change of approach will bring forth new perspectives and fresh ideas.    

 

Quote for the Day

 

"The ego is the false self born out of fear and defensiveness" - John O'Donohue

“The secret and the sacred are sisters. When the secret is not respected, the sacred vanishes. Consequently, reflection should not shine too severe or aggressive a light on the world of the soul.” ― John O'Donohue, Anam Cara: A Book of Celtic Wisdom

Quote for the Day

“The life and passion of a person leave an imprint on the ether of a place. Love does not remain within the heart, it flows out to build secret tabernacles in a landscape.” ― John O'Donohue

Birch Celtic Meaning

Celtic Birch Astrology Sign: December 24 – January 20

Ogham Letter: Beth

The birch tree is a symbol of rebirth and purification. It was one of the first trees to grow after the ice age and is one of the first trees to sprout leaves every Spring. This led Celtic Astrology to associate the birch with the Sun.

Birch wood is very strong and sturdy, allowing it be used for many things from handles (brooms, axes and the like) to bobbins and spindles in the cotton industry. The traditional Yule Log and Maypoles were made from birch wood, while birch twigs were used to light Beltane fires.

Young druids and bards wore birch sprigs to signify that they were still in training. The Druids made a cordial from the sap and would drink it to celebrate the Spring Equinox.

The leaves have a long history of use in folk medicine, being used to treat urinary tract infections, gout, kidney stones, and more....<<<Read The Full Article Here>>>

Willow Celtic Meaning

[What's Your Sign]: The Celtic meaning of willow has a long history of symbolism associated with metaphysical and ritual practices.

Specifically, the willow wood has been (and still is) used in ceremonies intended for enhancement of psychic abilities, honoring the moon as well as increase the essence of love in our lives.

Many uses and associations came be traced back to our Celtic ancestors’ observations of the willow tree in their natural environment. Druid priests, dryads (priestesses), bards and ovates all recognized the willow’s affinity to watery domains. Flora and fauna in close connection with water are considered dwellers of the psychic realm, and symbolic of inspired imagination.

The willow gets its moon associations (another powerful symbol of psychic and intuitive energy) because of its relationship to water. We see this when we recognize the moon’s influence over the waters of the earth – it moves the tides, pulling fluids to and fro with her own wax and wane.

Recognizing these natural unions, ancient Celtic spiritual leaders considered the willow a container for water/moon attributes and thus utilized its wood and branches to invoke deeper connections to their intuitive purposes. The Celts understood that the willow was instrumental in bringing about psychic visions that produced a clearer understanding of the world in which they lived....<<<Read The Full Article Here>>>...

Ash Tree - Celtic Meaning

[Druidry.org]: The Ash tree has always been given mystical import and character, frequently being associated with healing and enchantment. In Celtic literature, there are many references to the Ash tree, but in particular it is associated with the Welsh Magician-God Gwyddion, who bears an Ash staff/wand, a symbol of healing and especially transformation and empowerment in matters of destiny.

As such, in the Mabinogion, the magic of Gwydion is concerned with tricking Arianhrod to give the young Llew his arms which she had previous sworn never to do, having placed a Geis (or conditional curse or fate ) upon him. Gwydion used his powers of enchantment and transformation to create a phantom army fleet of ships which then tricks Arianhrod into giving Llew his arms, and thus removing the Geis upon his destiny. Llew is later said in the myth to rest as an Eagle in an Ash Tree.

Ash was often used for spear shafts or handles for weapons. Hence Ash can be also seen to be ‘checking the powers of peace’ as above in the Word Ogams of Morann Mac Main. In this sense, application of force to destiny may bring peace through resolution of a conflict - which would be seen as healing.

The English name Ash may have been derived from the Anglo-Saxon word Asec which is the name for a ritualistic spear. The name Nuin or Nin, literally means letters in the Celtic languages...<<<Read The Full Article Here>>>...

Celtic Meaning of the Blackthorn Tree

Among the Celts, this sacred tree of the Ogham was considered a portent of challenges ahead, but with the promise of improvement once we push through those challenges.

The Druids recognized portents struggle intuitively in the formation of the blackthorn tree's growth. This tree has some wicked thorns that are ominous looking at best. Indeed, when cut by these thorns the human flesh can turn septic fairly rapidly.

In autumn it turns a sulphurous yellow and when these leaves drop they expose a contorted body. This mangled imagery brought the concept of strife and suffering to the Celtic mind. These visual observations made the blackthorn a symbol of the other half of life that we often shrink back from.

When the blackthorn showed itself in Ogham oracle practices, it could be considered as a portent of war, illness or discouragement. It was a sign to get ready and brace yourself...<<>>...

Oak Tree Symbolism

[What's Your Sign]: The oak is considered a cosmic storehouse of wisdom embodied within its towering strength.

Ancient Celts observed the oak’s massive growth and impressive expanse. They took this as a clear sign that the oak was to be honored for its endurance, and noble presence.

In fact, wearing oak leaves was a sign of special status among the Celts (as well as ancient Greeks and Romans).

Today we see artistic renditions of the “Leafman” in which a man’s face is covered in leaves. This is an evolution of lore that dates back to earth-based spirituality in which the regal power of the oak was recognized and honored.

There are accounts that trace the name “druid” to duir, the Celtic term for the oak. More interestingly, the actual translation of duir is “door” and lore indicates the spiritually advanced Celts would access the ethereal planes of higher thought (psychic vision or soul-thought) by “opening the oak door.” The Celtic meaning of the oak tree deals with symbolic themes of durability, purity and constancy...<<<Read The Full Article Here>>>...

Yew Tree Symbolism

[Sun Signs]: Often times, the yew is considered to be one of the most ancient trees in all of the world. Some sources even say that it is the oldest-living one. This makes it an incredibly important tree when considering creation and time itself.

Appropriately, the yew tree is symbolic of immortality and everlasting life, rebirth, changes and regeneration after difficult times, and protection – the yew is, after all, quite massive.

The yew tree is also very strong, making it very useful for making bows, spears, and other items. Its physical composition makes it a powerful symbol of vitality, as each of its parts plays a particular role in its cycle. The Yew’s branches grow into the ground so, when the trunk dies, the tree is able to continue living. This also lends support to the yew being a symbol of connection between the past and present, particularly in terms of having a relationship with one’s ancestral heritage...<<<Read The Full Article Here>>>...