The Coligny calendar, or druidic calendar, is a large bronze table found in pieces at Coligny, and dated IIe century. Its reconstruction revealed that it is a calendar used to fix the dates of religious festivals as well as auspicious and inauspicious days.
Druidic History and Calendar
History places the civilization of Celts around 600 BC only and divides it into two phases: Hallstatt, named after a necropolis discovered in Austria and dating from 700 – 450 BC; JC; and La Tène (450 – 50 BC). But there are many authors who, based on the archaism of megalithic constructions, attribute to the Celts the role of origin of almost all European populations.
The druids had concluded a pact of alliance with the forest: the collective soul of the plants, with the fairies, the elves and the nymphs dwelling in the roots and the natural cavities, held no secrets for these men of the woods who knew the mysterious language of leaves, rocks and water. Of the three sub-groups composing the priestly class (the druids, the bards and the girls), the druids were the only versed in the magic practices properly so called. The other two, on the other hand, performed functions related to poetry and prediction. Like the shamans, the druids served as an intermediary between men and the spirits of the forests, cared for the sick thanks to the alchemy of plants, communicated with the souls exiled in the beyond, mastered the sacred art of the drum (the bohdron, the shamanic instrument par excellence because it acts directly on the heartbeat), and deciphered destiny.
The calendar
By virtue of its properties and its use, each plant is related to one of the thirteen lunar months (twelve plus the additional one because the lunar calendar calculates the number of days differently) which symbolically resembles it. The calendar cycle of plants begins with an empty day, December 23, also known as the "day of the rough stone" and linked to the mistletoe which, according to Caesar, was ritually picked with a sickle of or on that specific date.
We thus obtain the following thirteen plants: Birch, Beth; Rowan, Luis; Ash, Nion; Alder, Fearn; Willow, Saille; Hawthorn, Hualt; Oak, Druir; Holly, Tinne; Noisetier, Coll; Plum Tree, Muin; Ivy, Gort; If, Ngetal; Sureau, Ruis.
In accordance with the logic of the vegetable calendar, the plant associated with the day of birth is more than a simple "zodiac sign" influencing the temperament and determining the guidelines of existence: it becomes a kind of guardian, of vegetable soul. , of protective genius to be considered as a friend to whom one tells one's dreams and worries, from whom one seeks a certain comfort, help or advice, to whom one addresses oneself when one feels downcast or depressed and one needs strength, relief or a pinch of luck.
The work
The Birch: Beth (December 24 – January 21)
Deity: Dana or Ceridwen
After the ice melted, it was the first tree to appear on earth, hence its symbolic meaning of beginning and rebirth. It is no coincidence that, in the symbolism Celtic, it represents the maternal tree of physical and spiritual fertility.
Graceful, distinguished, refined and, under their fragile bark, endowed with exceptional resistance, the natives of Birch adapt to all situations. Intelligent, intuitive and more inclined to intellectual than physical pleasures, they do not like to compete and even less to put themselves in the spotlight. Elegance, harmony and sobriety are the key words of their existence, which they prefer to lead in quiet places, away from disorder and stress.
On the professional level, they always rise to the occasion, which they face with calm, deep seriousness and a great deal of competence.
A touch of coldness and inhibition in love.
Excellent protection against adversity.
The mountain ash
The Sorbier: Luis (January 22 – February 18)
Deity: Bridget
The magic tree of command, with which the druids made their divinatory wands, confers a pinch of mystery and magic to the natives of its sign as well. Magnetic, inventive, but always a little secret, the latter work in the shadows with an enviable imagination, then surprise by coming out of their hats with real wonders. Sympathetic, original and perpetually cheerful, they have a remarkable psychic strength which allows them to face the most confused situations, for themselves and for others, each time finding the right word which reassures and consoles anyone in difficulty.
They love culture and all novelties capable of stimulating their insatiable spirit, attracted by art, occultism and mediumship.
In love, even when they harbor deep feelings, they tend to hide them, perhaps out of modesty, but you can count on their sincerity. To incendiary and tyrannical passions, they prefer the more peaceful values of friendship and show in this respect an unlimited availability. And when they finally decide to get attached, they show unfailing tenderness and loyalty to their partner.
The Ash
Le Frêne: Nion (February 19 – March 17)
Deity: Diancecht or Gwydion
The Ash is the cosmic tree: suspended from its branches, the god Odin acquires knowledge of the runes.
Mediums and idealists, the natives of Ash build their own inner world steeped in dreams, dreams and romanticism.
Not very active and sorely lacking in courage, they have absolutely no spirit of competition and prefer to dedicate themselves to a more comfortable existence, sheltered from all risks. They do not willingly sacrifice themselves to obtain a happiness that is nevertheless close to their hearts. To achieve their goals, they rely more on intuition and the magical potential inherent in their guide plant than on willpower, which leaves a lot to be desired in them.
Wise and thoughtful since their earliest childhood, they know how to draw from within themselves the solution capable of solving each problem, by entering into direct communication with the infinite.
Docile and flexible in their intentions as in their feelings, they love tenderly but never for too long. Courting to be courted: this is the subtle, sensual and light game to which they succumb for brief parentheses of sweet madness.
Alder
Alder: Fearn (March 18 – April 14)
Deity: Bran
Due to its proverbial resistance to water, Alder has been used since the earliest times as a support for foundations. Insofar as it also lends itself to the manufacture of wind instruments, it refers to the symbolism of combat to which warriors were encouraged by the sound of a horn.
Solidity, resistance and strength of character: these are the defining traits of these stubborn, impetuous natives who are determined to reach their objective which they pursue without sparing themselves. Born to command and to fight, they run the risk, however, of offending more indecisive and sensitive characters with their harshness. In compensation, and despite their despotism, they are generous, brilliant and courageous: true leaders, in short, incomparable when it comes to organizing and directing.
Authoritarianism does not leave them in love either, where they show all their ardor by throwing themselves headlong into their relationships, without taking the time to appreciate their consequences. They show a fiery sexuality, but little attentive to the needs of their partner: when they covet a goal, they do not care for a moment to hurt as long as they achieve their ends.
The Willow
Le Saule: Saille (April 15 – May 12)
Deity: Epona or Rhiannon
The tree that grows quickly and shelters with its foliage the mysteries of lovers speaks a symbolic language of fecundity and sweetness.
Like their wood, flexible but resistant, the natives of Willow know how to overcome difficulties and measure their efforts, both physical and mental, so as never to find themselves short of energy.
With an innate elegance and instinctive charm, they command even undeserved approval; often, in fact, they use their capacities of seduction to bend events and people to their advantage.
They have an excellent relationship with money and have a mania for property, which they pursue with constancy and defend with stubbornness.
The game of love intrigues them, but they do not get carried away by romanticism and always keep the pragmatic side of life very much in mind.
They appreciate nature, the countryside, good food, the lazy sensuality of erotic jousting, but do not disdain more refined pleasures such as music and art.
Hawthorn
Hawthorn: Hualt (May 13 – June 9)
Deity: Ossian
Hawthorn is the plant of the month for May, the fragrant and graceful bush emblem of fertility and artistic sense.
Unpredictable, changeable, quick to conceive but much slower to act, the natives of Hawthorn are irreducible creative people who, sometimes, do not hesitate to destroy their work to rebuild it by improving it.
They willingly focus their tireless will on the education of the youngest, presenting themselves more as a friendly model than as an authority to be respected. Lively and curious, they also remain young for a long time and retain an adolescent soul always ready to marvel and be amazed.
Very sensitive to grace and beauty, they easily let themselves be caught in the nets of love, which they then flee with the lightness of a butterfly in search of another flower. But the love of children and the desire to bring up their own sometimes plays a decisive role, becoming the mainspring that pushes them to take the decisive step of marriage.
The Oak
Le Chêne: Druir (June 10 – July 7)
Deity: Dagda
Resistant and invincible, the queen of Celtic plants, support of the divine mistletoe, provided the building material for the supporting structures of ships and buildings. A magical and protective tree of midsummer, the Oak transmits all its solid and luminous beauty to those who are born under its influence. Calm and determined, these natives never lose their composure and never go back on their decisions either. Ideal leaders and shining points of reference, their rigidity however often inspires more respect than love. Not appreciating changes, and even less the unforeseen which disorients them, they give the best of themselves in stable and reassuring situations.
Sensitive to the power of lightning, like the plant that governs them, they experience intense and burning love, but always distinguish eroticism from conjugal affection with great lucidity. They experience love at first sight to which they are subject as unimportant parentheses, and fiercely defend lasting emotional ties.
Holly
Le Houx (July 8 – August 4)
Deity: Cuchulainn
Its ritual function, so pronounced among the Druids, has earned the holly covered with red berries like little suns to play an honorary role, perhaps due to its warm symbol of heroism and vital power. Individuals born at this time of year are therefore solar, egocentric, even narcissistic beings, like the suns at the center of planetary orbits, but also extroverted, generous and inclined to enlighten others.
Thanks to the magnetism they exude and their optimism, they always land on their feet and succeed in all the enterprises in which they embark. Born to command, they know how to curry favor with others and then subjugate them with a will of steel. Determined, prideful and even quite strict when it comes to ideals, they manage wonderfully but always according to their own sense of justice. Very stimulating in love where they get deeply involved, they expect maximum erotic participation from their partner. For their part, they know how to be passionate, communicative and convincing, but rarely offer themselves fully.
The hazel tree
Le Noisetier: Coll (August 5 – September 1)
Deity: Manannan
A spiritual, nuanced and often elusive nature makes Hazel the most angelic of the plant signs of the Celts. But behind this ethereal appearance, the natives hide a biting irony, capable of crushing anyone who tries to stop them.
Both rational and intuitive, they learn easily and excel more in intellectual activities than in practical achievements.
Fascinated by communication in all its forms, they are interested in books, in cinema, in art or in mediumistic dialogue. And yet these exceptional individuals prefer to take refuge in menial professional situations, sufficiently sheltered from obligations and responsibilities to leave room for their inner life. In love too, they place the fusion of two souls striving towards a common spiritual objective before physical union and the flames of passion, which often frighten them.
The plum tree
The Plum Tree: Muin (September 2 – September 29)
Deity: Esus or Nuada
The liquor extracted from the blackthorn, with supposedly euphoric virtues, has given the plant a magical character. Elation and euphoria also seem to be precisely the dominant traits of these natives who, depending on their mood and the quality of the surrounding environment to which they are very sensitive, can be tender or aggressive, conciliatory or intractable. They are, in short, passionate and quick-to-ignite idealists, who listen too much to their hearts and not enough to their reason, enamored of art and justice. Reasoning is not their forte, and organization even less so, which risks getting them into a lot of trouble. Despite the sympathy they inspire, we do not like to remain in their company because they are too unpredictable and inconsistent not to arouse a certain tension. Destroy and rebuild, hurt in order to be able to heal: such is the leitmotif of their existence. In love, they nevertheless manage to find a balance, despite their mood swings and their jealous and violent character.
Ivy
The Ivy: Gort (September 30 – October 27)
Deity: Pwyll
Symbolically associated with suffocation and poison, Ivy has a meaning for the Celts of death-rebirth, of the necessarily painful passage to a higher form of life.
Whether it is study, work and love, all that is mysterious and unusual attracts these natives who are so attentive to the most secret side of things.
In social relations, they are appreciated for their sober elegance, on condition of tolerating their possessiveness, and for their heart, rustic but faithful, capable of unalterable feelings.
Although the couple relationship is among their most coveted goals, it is rare that they meet the soul mate with whom to establish this elective affinity that they so desire, beyond the most physical dimension of love. . When otherwise they do not feel repaid, they beg, insist and attach themselves as their guide plant. Either they withdraw into themselves and recover their independence which leads them towards esoteric research, literature or art.
Yew
If: Ngetal (October 28 – November 24)
Divinity: Goibniu or Govannon
Particularly dear to the Druids who inhaled its vapors to strengthen their powers of clairvoyance, the Yew is one of the species of trees that live the longest in North Europe. This longevity, synonymous with immortality, nevertheless linked it to burial sites, associating it with the symbolism of the transformation which accompanies death and rebirth. This perhaps explains the melancholy temperament of these natives prone to depression, tears and immobility which alternate (fortunately) with outbursts of emotion and enthusiastic fervor inevitably leading to success.
The environment profoundly influences their changing character, to the point that all it takes is contact with cheerful and stimulating people for them to give the best of themselves and teem with brilliant and innovative ideas.
The themes of overcoming, renewal and rebirth particularly fascinate them. They will however have to guard against the risks of psychic contagion, which is always dangerous for beings as receptive as themselves. The phases of calm and storm, absolute chastity and uncontrolled passion follow one another, even in love.
Elderberry
The Elderberry: Ruis (November 25 – December 22)
Deity: Caillach
Magic tree par excellence because it provides wood for the ritual pipe and berries for the sacramental druidic drink, it contains all the esoteric symbolism of rebirth. Similar in many ways to the natives of the Yew, those of Elderberry can also overcome, victorious, the worst difficulties to then suddenly drown in a glass of water. They are courageous and enterprising, but only so long as emotion doesn't take over, in which case they become easy prey for either enthusiasm or depression. Fortunately, sympathetic and overflowing with talents as they are, they have no problem finding people to support and take care of them. Prone to intense passions and childish desires, they love deeply and with great generosity and kindness. But they demand in return esteem, respect, as well as a pleasant and piquant courtship.
