Dragon Jewels: Single Stone Casting

In the month of recording daily casts of the stones, no one crystal predominated. However, patterns did develop over the weeks. For the first half of the month, tiger eye dominated, while citrine took the lead for the second half. Ruby and moonstone only showed up once or twice.




Tiger eye (of Earth and Gaia, the Mother Earth Dragon) wanted me to focus on my financial affairs. During this slow time in my business, I had to make important money decisions. Supporting tiger eye was snowflake obsidian (of Saturn and Grael, the Mistress of the Night.) This stone elder counseled me to make the best of what I had. Appearing once, Ruby (of Mars and Freyeth, the Flame Lord) told me not to feel so helpless.




Citrine (of Mercury and Rai, the Thunder Lord) re-enforced the fertility aspects of tiger eye. Citrine gave me clarity to transform my thinking. Moving outside of myself, I sought more vending opportunities. Once tiger eye’s role was done, citrine directed me to what I to do next.

Checking the daily casting against my journal showed no particular pattern of advice from day to day. However, the stone elders wanted me to remain flexible, and to listen to all of their counsel. The elders wanted me to use my head, and work more on developing my talents. Amber (of Uranus and Ayahz, the Master Healer) stressed change. Aquamarine (of Neptune and Tiamaat, Mistress of the Waters) asked me to look for hidden advantages.




My conclusion is that the daily guides represented the ups and downs of life. In statistical language, they were “noise”. However, basic trends (themes) did emerge. The daily casting is useful to determine if an elder is knocking at your door. Otherwise, it is useful in hindsight to understand each of the elders and their messages.

New Kiwi Born at Zoo!

New Kiwi born at the zoo. This is a cause for celebration since kiwis are becoming very rare. See the baby Kiwi on Kiwi Cam:

In honor of the Kiwi born at the National Zoo in Washington D.C., I am quoting what Mr. King, who is Australian, has to say about the teachings of Kiwis.

From "Animal Dreaming"

"Kiwi calls us to surrender. By surrendering, we can expect to be pushed forward. Surrendering does not me ’giving up’, but rather ’giving in’. Giving up suggests defeat. Giving in, however, is to surrender with strength and a willing heart. It is to focus on the desired outcome and to surrender the ’how’ aspect over to the Spirit."

---------------

From the Zoo’s Website:

March 7. This one is behaving very differently from Manaia, the kiwi that hatched two years ago. It is extremely busy and active, and was trying to walk and stand on day one. It actually jumped two inches on Sunday morning. This morning (Monday), it is walking although it is very wobbly.

From Science Digest:

"There are five species of kiwi and all are unique to New Zealand. The North Island brown species of kiwi is the national bird of New Zealand. They are widely thought to be the most ancient bird and have existed in New Zealand for more than 30 million years. Kiwis typically mate for life, and both parents share the responsibility of caring for the egg. After kiwi chicks hatch, however, they receive no parental care. Unlike other bird species, kiwis hatch fully feathered and equipped with all of the necessary skills they need to survive.

The North Island brown kiwi species is classified as endangered by the International Union of Conservation of Nature. The wild population is declining at a rate of approximately 5.8 percent a year. **Nearly 60 percent of all wild North Island brown kiwi chicks are killed by stoats, a species of weasel and an introduced predator. **The remaining wild population of the North Island brown kiwi is estimated at roughly 24,000, down from 60,000 in the 1980s."

**Emphasis mine - Feral pets are not harmless. They kill native species.

-----------

Commercial Message:

Receive guidance from the birds!

For Spring, I will offer the "Stork" reading (a seven card) for problem solving for only $20.

Contact me at animalteachers @ gmail.com.

Crystal Jewel Divination (2)

For crystal casting, I use a circular mat that I had made. This mat’s center circle is a different color from the rest. When I cast a stone, I can easily tell how far from the center it falls.

I do a single stone cast by taking the stones from my bag and sifting them through my fingers. What often happens is that the crystal of the day lands on my lap. Usually, this is how the stone elders make themselves known to me.

Doing a three stone cast for me has been challenging. I let the stone sift through my fingers until one feels right. That elder, I cast for myself. If this crystal was different from the “elder of the day”, they landed off-center. However, if they were the same, the elder usually landed in the center.

Casting the next two stones is more complex. If the self stone was not the elder of the day, and one of the others was, they would land in the center. However, if none of the stones were the “Stone of the Day”, they landed off the mat.

Since I am a linear thinker, interpreting the three-stone cast was demanding. I prefer the “past-present-future” layout – how A flows into B into C. This casting has two dimensions: time and relationships. First comes the present with the self and others, then the potential happiness to follow. Interpreting my relationships in the present, then switching to myself only in the future is a stretch for me.

By casting over a month, I wanted to see if the three-stone method matched the month’s events. From the elders, I received a lot of counsel to strive for harmony and clarity. All the stone elders made themselves known during the month. This is an area of divination, I intend to explore further.

Crystal Jewel Divination

I do many types of divination. Depending on the occasion, I use the Runes, Ogham, or Tarot. In doing Roman rituals, I use traditional Roman methods for animal divining. (I watch what the animals are doing.) For personal readings, I use the Runes or Ogham. In readings for others, I use the Tarot or oracle cards.

Depending on the season, I also employ different methods of divining. For example, in winter, I cast stones. Because winter is the season of introspection and quiet, I can hear voices of the stone elders without distraction. When they sing, “pick me”, I take the stones from a pouch. Then, I “throw” them and watch where they land on a layout of compass directions. (Each direction has a meaning: North-spirit, East-mind, South-body, and West-emotions.) Then I ask each elder what they have to say to me. The stones tell me through their colors, shapes, and how they twinkle. I enter their world, and hear their songs.

I do not consider one form of divination “better” than another. I see whether they are appropriate to the occasion. For example, in a Roman ritual, Norse Runes are inappropriate, since the Runes are closely tied with the Norse Gods. For general readings, the Tarot or oracle cards are acceptable.

The form of divination that works best for me also depends on the season. Winter is the best time for me to do crystal divination. I prefer doing the Ogham in the fall, when the trees are actively changing color. Spring and summer are for animal and plant oracles.

Grounding and Centering

Grounding and centering has always been a problem for me. I have problems sensing energy, and then following it. For this class, I carefully read the various methods on how to do it. I decided on the simplest, which is taking a deep breath and following the energy inside.

I chose the morning time after my tea. Sitting upright in a chair, I took deep breaths to relax. Then I went inside following my breath stream. At the pit of my stomach, the energy centered itself.

Sitting still, I focused on the earth below. I could feel this energy come up my legs. The energy was warm and red-orange in color. Then, I reached for the sky with my left palm. I chose lifting my palm to balance the energy coming up my right leg. I felt the cool blue energy come down my arm into my stomach. There the circle of energy formed a galaxy of stars. Afterwards the energy strands separated, and I felt refreshed.

The next day, I sat up and only extended my right hand to the sky. I let the earth flow up my left leg. My leg was able to distill the energy’s intensity. Now, a yellow ribbon of energy went inside my stomach.

This time, I felt the mingling of Two Powers. The yellow ribbon became purple from the red energy of the earth and the blue energy of the sky. Raising one arm helped me to direct the energy without making me nauseous. For me, my stomach seems to be the centering and grounding place of energies.

Meditation (part 2)

What I have discovered in my meditation practices is that an engrossing one is as good as sitting and chanting. Doing needlepoint is a reflective activity. I am lulled by the rhythm of the push and pull of the needle through the cloth. When I am finished, I have created something of beauty. Another form of meditation for me is cooking in a mindful way. As I choose the food for myself and my family and prepare it, I connect to the Gods. Cooking and needlework focuses me to the task at hand and takes me out of myself. When I am engaged in these activities, my mind and body become joined in a meaningful way.

I take walks. Walking the same route daily, I set my mind free to where it wants to go. The rhythm of walking stills the chatter of my mind and helps me to focus inward. As I walk, I notice the trees, squirrels, buildings, and focus on one at a time. By doing this, I commune directly with nature. The walk transports me away from the here and now, and propels me into the world beyond. When I return home, I feel uplifted.

Also, I keep a daily journal. Writing down everything that occurs to me is a way of clearing my mind. With free association, I write down all sorts of things that are on my mind. Afterwards, I sort through and discover what is going on inside.

When I keep a drawing diary, I move deeper into the world of color, shape, and form. I focus on my subjects and see things that I have never known. I learned that ferrets have purple highlights in their fur, and that rainbow trout really do reflect the rainbow. Every moment is a polished jewel in my mind.

As I worked through my problems, I arrived at these methods for mediation. I prefer switching around, rather than using one method only. This works best for me.

Florida Marlins and Manatees

This just in -- the Florida Marlins baseball team has decided to have a cheerleading team of agile but overweight men - called the Manatees! Not much inventive thinking there but still a team of overweight men leading cheers is a bit heartening. Let's hear it for the Manatees! And the Marlins too. Go FISH, go GO!

Lapis Lazuli

When I work with the stone elders, I do not have favorites. They all have wisdom that they impart to me. However, if I was to choose one, it was would be the lapis lazuli, with her deep blue color and flecks of gold. Because of lapis’ deep gold aura, I can sense the difference between her and sodalite. When I hold this elder in my hand, I feel waves of soothing calmness come over me. Lapis soothes my feverish mind.

I am not surprised that ancient people also held lapis in high regard. The Egyptians viewed this stone elder as sacred to Maat, the Goddess of Truth and Balance. Meanwhile, the Romans carried lapis for courage and protection.

When I hold a lapis, I am anchored at the place where present meets the past and future. Moreover, this elder transports me to the nexus of time and space. With lapis’ assistance, the Universe opens her secrets to me, there.

In my conversations with lapis, she whispers to me the wisdom of the ancestors and the honor of the past. Then, this elder connects me to the future and the hope it contains. Finally, she unfolds the beauty of the present before me. Later, as I reflect on my experience, I begin to understand the truths that lapis tells me.

When I work with lapis, I can feel a deep healing within myself. In addition, my energies become better aligned. I feel my depression lifting as lapis flashes her gold at me. The glorious blue of lapis with the flecks of gold invites me to explore the world of beauty. While holding lapis, I feel that I can do anything, since I am now a part of the Universe.

Discovering that lapis is the stone of Jupiter (the Sky Father) and Tiamaat (the Mistress of the Cosmos) makes me appreciate her more. I feel that this elder combines the powers of the Cosmos and the Earth into one. My further experiences with lapis have been of connecting with both Jupiter and Tiamaat.

Dragon Jewels

Choosing the Dragon Jewels was easier than selecting the bag they reside in. I do stone casting, but wanted to use the class parameters. Therefore, I asked each of my crystals, who of them would want to be part of the Dragon Jewels casting set.

Although I prefer working with fluorite, laborite and malachite, they told me that they were not interested in divination. However, the other crystals did give me their permission to use them, except for the amethyst. He wanted me to find a one to be dedicated to Dragon Jewel casting.

My method of choosing Dragon Jewels is to listen for them. I am hard of hearing but I can hear their humming quite clearly. When I go into a rock shop, if one is calling to me, I will hear a low hum. As I approach, the crystal will start to sing. When I see the stone, they will sparkle. Holding the crystal in my hand, I feel a tingling. This is how I chose the new amethyst.

For me, each Dragon Jewel has a different character. The small but mighty ruby is intense. The pale, yellow amber whispers of ancient suns. Full of pep, the snowflake obsidian jumps into my hand. Pushy aquamarine insists on being first in everything. He told me that He was the Godfather of the Dragon Jewels. Aloof tiger iron quietly shimmers just inside my view. Childlike, clear quartz pipes up in a high voice, “Oo, OO, pick Me!” Serene moonstone gently glows while cool jades does his jazz riffs. His partner in swing, citrine, dances in delight. Shy lapis quietly waits her turn.

Choosing my bag was an adventure in itself. My Dragon Jewels wanted a special bag to live in. I found my bag in an out-of-the-way store in the Blue Ridge Mountains (Virginia). This soft velvet bag is decorated with soft sparkly beads. A purple lizard is hand sewn using stones on the front. The Stone Elders delighted in this bag.

Note: I do not “use” my Dragon Jewels. They are Stone Elders deserving of my respect.

Cranes

"In Eastern tradition, a pair of cranes symbolizes love in a harmonious, lifelong relaitonship. While one bird rests, the other stands on guard. Meditate on the cranes' perfect balance of mutual attentiveness, and let this inspire you and your partner to make a long and happy life together."
From One Spirit date book.

Happy Valentines Day Helping Manatees and Dugongs

Happy Valentines Day! Attached please find a Valentine Card from Conch, our Florida Mermaid Ambassador.

Conch sends his "heartfelt" thanks to everyone who donated during America's Giving Challenge. The videos "Swimming with Mermaids" and "Mermaid Kisses" generated 56 donations totaling $2,350. Although it was not enough to win one of the $50,000 prizes, the funds raised will enable Sirenian International to award at least two additional small grants to projects in developing countries this year...and we might still win one of the $1,000 prizes!

If you missed the America's Giving Challenge deadline, Conch has a special offer for you:
"Make a donation in any amount to Sirenian International by February 14th, you may adopt him, or any of our other 4 Mermaid Ambassadors, at no additional cost!"

Each of our Mermaid Ambassadors represents one of only four manatee & dugong species left in the world today. When you adopt Conch, Maya, Yara, Elandra, or Bahari, you support our educational outreach programs, capacity building programs, and research & community conservation projects around the world.

As a special Valentine thank you, any donation made online or postmarked by February 14th, 2008, automatically includes the adoption of a Mermaid Ambassador. You will receive an Adoption Certificate, a glossy 4"x6" photograph, and a FACT SHEET about the species your Ambassador represents. During the next year, your ambassador will bring you true stories about the manatee and dugong populations our Ambassadors represent via A Mermaid's Voice, our new members only newsletter.

Yes! You may have the adoption placed in the name of a loved one as a Valentine's Day gift. How? Simply visit our Mermaid Ambassadors online at http://www.sirenian.org/ambassadors.html and learn more about Maya, Yara, Elandra, Bahari, and Conch.

Next, click on the Network for Good Donate Now button and enter your Ambassador's name under "Designation" during the online process. Network for Good now accepts donations from within the US via credit card AND donations from outside the US via PayPal using your credit card. If you would like to have your adoption automatically renew each year, select "annually" in the reoccurring donation box under "Donation Preferences".

Alternatively, send your donation by check to the address below and write your choice of Ambassador on the Memo line. Be sure to include your postal address, email address and/or phone number. We will follow-up by email (or phone) to ensure the adoption is completed and mailed per your instructions no later than February 28th, 2008.

As always, thanks for your interest in our mission at Sirenian International and have a LOVELY Valentine's Day!

The Animal Archetype Test

The people who design these silly tests really do not how to take a sample. But they are fun in a strange sort of way. of course, I got the Squirrel. But not just any squirrel - The Eurasian Red Squirrel. They are shier than the American Grey Ones.

The Animal Archetype Test
Your Score: The Squirrel
You scored 62% domestic, 24% gregarious, 17% trickster, and 35% intellect!

Domestic, Solitary, Serious, Emotional: you are the Squirrel! Squirrel people tend to be organized, thrifty, prepared for anything, slightly obsessive. Squirrel medicine teaches the benefit of good planning, looking towards the future, and conservation. The squirrel is a symbol of delayed gratification, resourcefulness, agility, and foresight.

This test categorized you based on four different axes of personality, which were then associated with a different animal. The four axes, as well as all possible results are explained below.

Wild/Domestic: This first axis categorizes you based on how much you are drawn to the outdoors, versus how much you are drawn to civilized situations. Domesticity has many shapes and forms, and varies from the joy of dolphins leaping next to a ship to the steadfast loyalty of a family dog.

Gregarious/Solitary: This axis measures how solitary you are. If you scored high, it means that you enjoy the company of other people, while a low score indicates that you prefer a more solitary lifestyle.

Trickster/Serious: This axis measures how well you line up with conventional trickster archetypes. People who fall into this archetype have a sense of humor and an excitable, highly chaotic streak. Scoring low doesn't mean that you don't have a sense of humor; it just means that you probably don't think dynamite is very funny.

Intellectual/Emotional: This last axis determines whether you are more emotional -- acting based on feelings and instinct, or rational and intelectual -- acting more on thought than on your gut feelings.

Wild Gregarious Trickster Intellectual : The Hyena
Wild Gregarious Trickster Emotional : The Otter
Wild Gregarious Serious Intellectual : The Antelope
Wild Gregarious Serious Emotional : The Wolf

Wild Solitary Trickster Intellectual : The Weasel
Wild Solitary Trickster Emotional : The Coyote
Wild Solitary Serious Intellectual : The Raven
Wild Solitary Serious Emotional : The Frog

Domestic Gregarious Trickster Intellectual : The Fox
Domestic Gregarious Trickster Emotional : The Dolphin
Domestic Gregarious Serious Intellectual : The Horse
Domestic Gregarious Serious Emotional : The Dog

Domestic Solitary Trickster Intellectual : The Rat
Domestic Solitary Trickster Emotional : The Ferret
Domestic Solitary Serious Intellectual : The Cat
Domestic Solitary Serious Emotional : The Squirrel


My test tracked 4 variables How you compared to other people your age and gender:

You scored higher than 99% on domestic

You scored higher than 99% on gregarious

You scored higher than 99% on trickster

You scored higher than 99% on intellect

Take test at:
http://www.okcupid.com/tests/523475376769642040/Animal-Archetype

The Sacred Pipe

SACRED PIPE

Prayer

The Pipe is a gift from the Great Mystery. Because of its sacred nature, a Pipe is kept wrapped in separate pieces. The stem and bowl are connected only for the Pipe Ceremony. When the Pipe is smoked, the people’s breath became sacred. Only the truth could be spoken at that time.

In the Pipe Ceremony, tobacco is offered to the Four Directions, Mother Earth, and Father Sky. Starting at East, of the Good Red Road, offerings were then made to South of plants, West of the sunset, and North of health. In Thanksgiving for life and warmth, Mother Earth and Father Sky received their gifts.

Teaching

The Sacred Pipe balances our male and female sides. With the Pipe, we can connect with the Great Mystery (Creator), and come into alignment with All Our Relations. Honoring the blessings of the Great Mystery, we keep the Sacred Traditions, and mend the Sacred Hoop.

Application

The Sacred Pipe asks you to honor who you are and why you are here. Make peace with yourself, and your Path will become clear.

Help the Manatees!

From Sirenian International:

As promised, I've linked a new manatee video to our
America's Giving Challenge Campaign Badge at
http://www.sirenian .org.

For 5 more days, your donation of only $10 will help
us win $50,000.

If you haven't contributed, I hope this 8-minute video
short, "Swimming with the Mermaids", will inspire you
to make a tax-deductable donation to Sirenian
International before January 31st.

If you've already contributed, thanks again and enjoy
your "swim"!

Winning the America's Giving Challenge contest would
enable us to catalyze our grassroots organization and
make a more significant impact on manatee and dugong
conservation around the world. These are just a few
of the programs your generous gift will make possible:

Mermaids: Ambassadors from Sea to Sea, our 2008
Educational Outreach Program in the USA
The Sirenian Network, our professional database,
discussion list, bibliography, and library program
designed to increase the capacity of Participating
Members to achieve our shared conservation goals
The SI Small Grants Program, designed to catalyze
conservation oriented research, capacity building, and
educational outreach projects in developing nations
where alternative sources of funding are difficult to
secure.

If you have contributed, thanks again! Your continued
support help make it possible for us to expand and
enrich the services we provide. If you haven't done
so already, please pass the link to our Campaign Badge
on through your social network -- with your help we
can win one of the $50,000 prizes!

Cheers,

Caryn
caryn@sirenian. org
============ ========= ===
Have you accepted America's Giving Challenge, yet?
Donate just $10 online http://www.sirenian .org and
help Sirenian International win $50,000!

The mission of Sirenian International is to promote
the long-term conservation of manatee and dugong
populations and our shared aquatic habitats around the
world through research, education, and inter-cultural
collaboration.

Human Interaction and Marine Mammals (part 2)

People, who think they are helping marine animals, maybe harming them. Colin, a California sea lion was fed bread by people. Unfortunately, Colin had to be euthanized, after being rescued by the Marine Mammal Center from these people. Also, a habor seal was fed whipping cream and clams. Seals and other marine mammals do not have digestive systems for human food. A veterinarian is needed to provide them with appropriate food.

On the other hand, humans have sued a cruise ship line for killing a pregnant humpack whale in Clacier Bay National Park in Alaska, and won! Passengers aboard the ship reported that the ship struck something. The ship's naturalist report it their colleagues. The veterniarian who performed the autopsy on the whale testified in court. The cruise line had to pay $750,000 in charges because the captain did not divert the ship's course as mandated by the U.S. Marine Mammal Protection Act.

Human Interaction and Marine Mammals (part 1)

This is from Release - The Newsletter of the Marine Mammal Center.

My comment: As a rule, you do not interfer when seeing a stranded marine mammal. We are not trained marine biologists and may do more harm than good.

From the newsletter - Marine mammals are wild animal and can transfer disease to humans and domestic pets. If you come accross marine mammals that seem injured or ill, you shold always call the local marine rescue group - their number is 415-289-7325 (24 hr. hotline in CA.)

The 1972 U.S. Marine Mammal Protection Act prohibits people from harming or disturbing marine mammals. That includes 'rescue' by non-licensed people such as jet skiers or beachcombers.

Ocean Friends Reiki

I have founded a Reiki School with Shanti Johnson of Dolphin Trilogy Reiki. Please check us out. Feel free to contact me if you would like Reiki treatments, as well.



This is the promo from our website:

Ocean Friends Reiki is here to guide you to the waters of LOVE, POWER and PEACEFUL healing. This healing system pulls much from the animal totem/shamanic belief about
these three special beings from the sea. -- the manatee, seahorse, and sea turtle. All have such special healing qualities. Not only do they have such amazing healing, nurturing sides, but they are also quite spirited!

Ocean Friends Reiki is a awesome three level healing system that will guide you toward your playful, loving self! There is so much great fun that the manatees have every day, as well as the sea horses and sea turtles! We can join in the fun and frolic as well as be guided to relaxation, and serenity! We hope you enjoy this course as much as we do!

Virginia Carper
animalteachers  @  gmail.com

The Celtic Tree Calendar: Real or Imagined

Robert Graves, in his book “The White Goddess : A Historical Grammar of Poetic Myth” suggests that the Celtics followed a calendar of thirteen trees. Graves noted that the letters of the Celtic alphabet (Ogham) formed season progressions of trees according to the various moon. Graves reasoned that since trees reminded the Celtics of the Sacred Triple Spiral (birth, death, and rebirth), they would be the most logical choice for time keeping.

However, is Graves’ reasoning correct or simply a pet theory of his? To answer that question, one must determine if keeping time by trees is feasible, why would Celts need to keep time, and would trees be helpful to them.

Telling Time by Plants:

In Maine (Northern New England (USA)), certain plants do appear at particular times. In addition people do plan their activities around some of these plants. Late winter is heralded by skunk cabbage, which stinks up the forest. In early spring, “Sugaring time” commences when maple tree sap rises. People tap the trees and take the sap to nearby sugaring shacks to maple syrup for sale. Middle spring is time for burdock, a bitter green plant. People used to have roadside stands selling this plant as the first greens of the year. Berry picking season starts in late spring and lasts through fall. Strawberries ripen in May-June, raspberries in July, Blueberries in August, and Blackberries in September. October is the famous fall season in New England, when hillsides are afire with scarlet maple trees. Then the snow come and the river freeze over.

However, these seasonal markers are not always reliable. January thaws causes skunk cabbage to bloom early. May frosts kills berries. Frosts in Maine have happened as late as July. Most people use a combination of other natural signs for seasonal changes. For example, the rivers crack as the ice melts on them. The loud booming noises are heard by towns around. After the rivers are free of ice, the lumbering season begins.


Celtic Needs for Keeping Time:

Like many ancient peoples, Celts kept time for only one reason: their survival. Among ancient peoples, survival was credited to various gods. Therefore, a part of people’s religious duties was to keep time for the ceremonies for the different gods. For example, in Hawai’i, when the Pleiades rise at sunset (October-November), the rainy season begins. At this time, people made offerings to Lono, God of Agriculture for bountiful crops.

The Celts were pastoral people who kept great herds of cattle. Raising cows meant knowing when it was safe to take them to pasture, and when to bring them inside for the winter. Also, people, who rely on cattle, need to know when the calving season happens and when to cull the herds for winter. Modern ranchers have a cycle of calving in the spring, and culling in the fall. In the American West, where spring snows and fall blizzards happen, having cattle die in unprotected pastures is a major concern.

According to Roman sources, the Celts divided their year into a light and dark half. The light half began after the calving season was over, and when it was safe to drive the cattle to upper pastures. The dark half started when the cattle had to be taken inside (mid-fall).

The current Pagan calendar of cross quarters (between the solstices and equinoxes) seems to fit the Celtic lifestyle – it followed calving, pasturing, culling, and over-wintering seasons for Europe. This modern calendar which is devised from Irish myths has important holidays at midwinter (Imbolc), mid-spring (Beltane), midsummer (Lughnassadh), and mid-fall (Samhain). The light half begins at mid-spring and ends at mid-fall. However, this cross quarter calendar is based on the sun, since solstices and equinoxes needed to be tracked.

The most reliable and most common time keeping method among ancient peoples was to use combination of sun, moon, stars, weather, and natural phenomena. Since the Celts regarded themselves a part of nature, they would notice many things besides trees. The annual salmon migration would have a place in the Celtic time keeping scheme.

A solar-lunar calendar seems to answer the Celts needs for survival. The sun and stars are accurate in telling when the seasons will happen. The moons and various events occurring in the months would give a broader sense of the seasons. The Coligny calendar which Graves dismisses out of hand, syncs up both lunar and solar calendars. The Celts did rely on more things than trees according to Coligny calendar.

Celts and Trees

One major problem with the tree calendar is that these trees grow in different climates at different times. Celts living in Gaul and those living in Ireland would have varying seasons for their trees. In addition, not all the tree species were present everywhere the Celts were. Graves seems to assume that Celts lived in only one place. However, Julius Caesar noted that the Celts lived in Gaul as well as on the islands.

My conclusion is that Graves have pet ideas about the ancient Celts. Like many people with favorite ideas, he cherry picked the data to fit his conclusions. Although, his Celtic Tree Calendar is appealing and romantic, it does a disservice to the Celts. It obscures the truth about their lives and replaces it with drivel. Graves leaves people with a false impression of the early Celts and their lives.


Graves’ Calendar:

1. Beth (Birch) December 24 to January 20
2. Luis (Rowan) January 21 to February 17
3. Nion (Ash) February 18 to March 17
4. Fearn (Alder) March 18 to April 14
5. Saille (Willow) April 15 to May 12
6. Uath (Hawthorn) May 13 to June 9
7. Duir (Oak) June 10 to July 7
8. Tinne (Holly) July 8 to August 4
9. Coll (Hazel) August 5 to September 1
10. Muin (Vine) September 2 to September 29
11. Gort (Ivy) September 30 to October 27
12. Ngetal (Reed) October 28 to November 24
13. Ruis (Elder) November 25 to December 22

14. December 23 is not ruled by any tree for it is the traditional day of the proverbial "Year and a Day" in the earliest courts of law.

"Toad Rage" by Morris Gleitzman

I have been reading a children's book written about Cane Toads in Australia. This book is from the Toad's point of view. The story is of a young cane toad who goes on an epic journey to understand why humans hate his kind. He finds out that the answer is more complicated than he ever thought. But he also finds out how to save his family from getting squashed by cars.

It is a refreshing book from a unique point of view. Cane Toads are considered pests in Australia.



Toad Rage
By Morris Gleitzman
Release date: 11 January, 2005

"An Introduction to Roman Religion"

John Scheid, “An Introduction to Roman Religion”, (Translated by Janet Lloyd 2003, Indiana University Press, 1998, USA, ISBN 0-253-34377-1).

I recommend John Scheid’s excellent book for an introduction to the Roman religion. In his book, the author emphasizes the major role that the Roman religion had in Roman government, both in the Republic and later in the Empire. Also, he analyzes the Romans’ perceptions of space and time, rituals, sacrifices, and their deities.

More importantly, Mr. Scheid tackles how modern people should interpret the intent of ancient Romans. How can people see the Roman religion beyond the prism of Christianity? Studying the religion of the Romans is more than comparing it to other Pagan religions such as the Norse. The author stresses that scholars need to decolonize the religion of the Romans from their modern sensibilities.

He writes, “But none of us can escape our prejudices and the assumptions drawn from our own society and history. Even if we were to bury ourselves in antiquity and read only the ancient sources, we would still hardly be able to guard against those insidious influences. A better tact is to remain conscious of weight brought to bear by the recent past and the implicit cultural attitudes which threaten to distort our judgment, and then act accordingly, with those influences in mind.” p.17.

Rome, the city, had also a major function in the Roman religion. The City defined both time and space. Gods of death and destruction had their sanctuaries outside the Pomerium (City boundaries as defined by Romulus, the Founder.) As Rome grew and added more Deities, those who were hostile to Rome, had their shrines outside the Pomerium. Meanwhile, the founding of the City and other important historical events determined the religious calendar.

According to John Scheid, the Roman religion fostered liberty and dignity for both the Romans and their Kindreds. The Romans approached their Kindreds with reason, and not in fear. They saw their relationship with their Deities as one of a client-patron relationship. The clients (people) provided support, while the patrons (Gods) provided favors. Together, they brought about the common good for Rome.

Because there was a compact between the Gods, the Senate, and the People of Rome, everything depended on proper ritual and sacrifice. By the auspices, the Gods informed the magistrates of their Will. However, the interpretation of the auspices could be contested by anyone with standing in the government. Therefore, the magistrates had to be mindful of the will of the People in their interpretations.

The Roman Civil Wars disrupted their religion. Since Caesar and Pompeii had equal standing, they fought over who the Gods wanted for Rome. When Octavian became Emperor Augustus, he reformed the religion. He changed the taking of the auspices from granting public liberty to ensuring his personal power. In addition, Augustus began the Cult of the Emperors by deifying Julius Caesar, his uncle.

The author sums up the religion of the Romans, thusly, “As we have seen, the only religious ‘belief’ for Romans consisted in the knowledge that the gods were the benevolent partners of mortals in the management of the world, and that the prescribed rituals represented the rightly expected counterpart to the help offered by the immortals.” P. 173