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A Druid's CalendarThe Druids determined time by the Sun, the Moon and the Stars. This calendar represents the beginning of an attempt to reconcile these different methods of marking time so that we can synchronize our activities and Draíocht to the cycles of Nature. The Dark Years (An Math)
The Bright Years (An Earrach)
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A Few Remarks
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This calendar is modeled after the Coligny Calendar and is likewise divided into five years (as represented by the colors black, purple, red, white and gray; or by the numbers 1 - 5). It is further divided into a "Dark" half (two and a half years) and a "Light" half (two and a half years). The two extra intercalary months are "An Math" and "An Earrach". These represent when the radiant king (Math or Artos) slumbers like the Bear and when the sleeping hero (Lugh or Finn) is awakened to soar like the Eagle. The Druids' Calendar is a lunar calendar with each month represented by a Moon. Each month of this calendar has either 29 or 30 days depending on whether it is a "math" (good, as in bright) month or "an math" (unfavorable, as in a dark) month. Each day in a month is also identified as being "good" or as being "unfavorable." Even the years are divided into realms of brightness and darkness. I've included some additional information about month names and how they were chosen for this Druids' Calendar in the following list. Crois Ésca (The Girdle of the Moon) By combining the meanings of the names of the months from the Irish and Scottish calendars and by using their associations with the Celtic totemic animals, I was able to develop my own Girdle of the Moons, Crois Ésca. An t-Samhna The Moon of the Ancestors An Dublachd The Moon of the Dark Sun Am Faoilleach The Moon of the Wolf An Gearran The Moon of the Hare ; The Gelding Am Mart The Moon of the Boar The Plough of the Winds An Giblean The Moon of the Fox An Céitean The Moon of the Hawk An t-Ogmios The Moon of the Youth An t-Iuchar The Moon of the Hound An Lughnasadh The Moon of the Horse An t-Sultair The Moon of the Harvest An Damhair The Stag Moon
(for the "middle times") Sometimes a thirteenth Moon occurs: (These are the "Middle Times," every two and a half years, An Math The Moon of the Bear (once every five years; during the Winter) An Earrach The Moon of the Eagle (once every five years; during the summer) (These two serve as the intercalary months or Moons. The Houses of the Moon I will be developing and presenting information on the names aof the Moon's "houses" and how they relate to Celtic mythology/astrology in the near future. When this work is completed, we will be able to determine the days that are good and bad for any undertaking by viewing the Sun, the Moon and the Stars. Thanks to Lorainne MacDonald of the Dalriada Celtic Heritage Society for Information on the Scottish Folk Calendar |