Celtic Astrology

My problem with the Celtic astrology, as presented by Graham Phillips, is that it contradicts other traditional systems reputed to be Celtic astrology. In addition, the Tree Oghams which seems to be the basis of Celtic divination does not coincide with the Tree Zodiac as constructed by Mr. Hancock. Therefore for me, comparing the two systems (Celtic and Chinese) is like comparing apples and oranges. Trees, that grow in particular climates, have no point of connection with traditional Chinese systems of elements and animals.

Furthermore in examining Mr. Phillips’s Tree Zodiac, I find that it has little in common with traditional Celtic lore. He includes trees that are not a part of that lore, and excludes others. He leaves out traditional trees such as willow but includes maple, a non-traditional tree. But by itself, the Tree Zodiac is well constructed for an astrological system.

Again, I tested the Tree Zodiac against myself, my brother, and girlfriend, since we share the same birthday. According to the Tree Zodiac, we are Buckthorns. Because Mr. Phillips constructed his system with a wide sample of people, we are depicted accurately. We are entertaining but fussy. My mother-in-law, who was born earlier in the month, is a Chestnut. Although she loved reading, she was also a social person (not a Chestnut characteristic but a Buckthorn one).

My problem in learning Celtic astrology is that, as I understand it, it really does not exist in a usable form. Mr. Phillips’s Tree Zodiac is fun and interesting to learn, but to me is not Celtic. My other question in learning the Tree Zodiac is that since trees are climate specific: how do you work out future events.



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Works Cited:

Daugherty, Michealin, The Celtic Tree Calendar, 2006, Ireland’s Own, 12 Mar. 2009

Murray, Liz and Colin, The Celitc Tree Oracle, Eddison-Sadd, London, 1988.
Phillips, Graham, The Tree Zodiac, 2006, The Official Graham Phillips Website, 13 Mar. 2009

Copyright: Virginia Carper, 2009
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Rhinocerous: Connection to Spirit (2 of 2)

Known as the great Indian one-horned Rhinoceros, the Indian Rhino is a descendant of an old species of rhinos – Indricotherium (formerly known as Baluchitherium), the largest land Mammal that ever lived. Elephant grass is this Rhino’s principal food, but He will also eat bamboo shoots and crops. Because of this, Indian Rhinoceros is in direct conflict with people over food.

Found only in the dense forests of a reserve in Java, the Java Rhinoceros is dangerously close to extinction. Little is known about these Rhinos except that They like living in forests that have a good water supply. Once common through Southeast Asia, the Sumatran Rhinoceros is now restricted to small areas of Sumatra and Burma (Myanmar). Although They look clumsy, these Rhinos are adept to climbing mountains. As the world’s smallest Rhino, the Sumatran Rhino is the only one with hairy skin.

Because of Rhinos’ staying power, They can connect us with the wisdom of the past. In our foolishness, we may allow Rhinos to disappear forever. Before that happens, we need to listen to Rhino, and learn through understanding. Through Rhino, we join the heart that connects us all.

Teachings of the Rhino Family Include:
“Rhinoceros medicine wisdom teaches us to regularly celebrate our sacred connection with spirit through ritual and ceremony.” Copyright: “Shamanic Wisdom II”, Dolfyn and Swimming Wolf.

Wisdom of the Rhino Family Includes:
Sagacity
Repository of Ancient Wisdom
Use of Ritual and Ceremony
Staying Power




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Copyright: Virginia Carper, Animal Teachers, 2009

From Universal Class, fun self-paced classes taught by me:

Finding Your Animal Teachers

Animals For Everyone: Mammals

Rhinocerous: Connection to Spirit (1 of 2)

RHINOCEROS FAMILY: Connect to the Heart

Relics of an early era, Rhinoceroses are massive Mammals with barrel-shaped bodies. Noted for their nose horns, these Animals have one large horn curving upwards from their snouts. (Some Rhinos have two.) Rhinos use their horns to boot and butt their attackers. Despite their fearsome appearances, many Rhinos are generally peaceful Animals.

Unfortunately for Rhinos, people hunt Them for their horns. Some Arabs use the horns for ceremonial sheaths for their knives. Between 1969 and 1977, 8,000 Black Rhinos were slaughtered for this use alone. Moreover, some Asians believe that powdered rhino horns have curative powers. To prevent extinction, many Rhinos were placed in fenced sanctuaries. Only recently, have Indian, Black, and White Rhinoceros numbers finally stopped declining.

There are five species of Rhinos. The Black and White Rhinos live in Africa. The name for “white” Rhinos comes from the Afrikaans word, weit which means “wide”, in reference to these rhinos’ wide mouths. Gentle giants, White Rhinos are the most sociable of the Rhinos. Smaller than White Rhinos, Black Rhinos are the most aggressive of the Rhinos. When disturbed, a Black Rhino will charge with great speeds at an unwary observer.

However, Oxpeckers graze on the backs of both White and Black Rhinos with impunity. In Swahili, the Tick-bird (Oxpecker) is called askari wakifaru, “the rhino’s guard”. Besides picking ticks off the rhino’s back, Oxpeckers screech loudly when people approach.

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Copyright: Virginia Carper, Animal Teachers, 2009

From Universal Class, fun self-paced classes taught by me:

Finding Your Animal Teachers

Animals For Everyone: Mammals

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Dolphins and Crystals

A major part of receiving healing from nature is the Rock People. Ancient people knew of the power of rocks. At places of power, they created megaliths such as Stonehenge. Among the Animal People, Plant People, and Rock People, the strongest is the power of the Rock People. The spirits of the rocks will aid people. But they need to be asked first from those who respect them.

Brought forth from the center of Mother Earth, rocks reunite people with Her. Rocks do not tell lies. They strike at the heart of the matter, and lay open the truth. Rocks pierce the fog and reveal the hidden reality. Among the energies of the universe, rock energy is the strongest and hardest to use.



Dolphins know how to use this raw energy. To travel the seas, they use echolocation and sonar. Sending vibrations in the water, Dolphins can sense objects without ever seeing them. The budge on their heads is called the melon. This organ helps the dolphins to navigate in murky waters.

Dolphins are the intermediaries for the rocks. Dolphin energy is softer and easier to hold. Since people respond well to dolphins, they can connect people to the power of the rocks. Dolphins can translate and focus the rock’s power quite easily. Among the healing modalities, those who heal with rocks are few. With the dolphins’ intervention, more people can heal using the rocks.

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Copyright: Virginia Carper 2009