Many Neo-Pagans enjoy the idea of having different calendars to use in their practice. It helps them feel more connected to the world around them as well as to their tradition. This is especially true if their tradition has holidays and sabbats that don’t match up with the Wheel of the Year commonly found in Neo-Pagan traditions. Different calendars include the lunar calendar, the Roman holiday calendar, and the Celtic Tree Calendar!

This Free Printable will help you keep track of the Moon phases! Enter your email to download this 4-page PDF
The Celtic Tree Calendar
Created in 1948 by Robert Graves in his book The White Goddess, the Celtic Tree Calendar is a modern calendar based partially on the Ogham alphabet of Ancient Ireland. Robert Graves was inspired by the work of Edward Davies, a 19th-century antiquarian who decided (inaccurately) that the ancient Celts had a 13-month calendar named after trees. It is important to note that Edward Davies had no historical or academic basis for his assumption. Instead, he based this idea on the fact that the Ogham was mentioned in a book titled Ogygia written by Ruairí Ó Flaitheartaigh which details Irish history from a mythical perspective in order to avoid persecution by the English.

Robert Graves gave life to the Celtic Tree Calendar. He took the work of Edward Davies and created a 13-month calendar based on the 13 Ogham consonants mentioned in Ogygia by Ruairí Ó Flaitheartaigh. Rather than calling it the Celtic Tree Calendar, Graves called it the Beth-Luis-Nion tree alphabet. This name is based on the first three “tree alphabet” letters in the calendar: Beith, Luis, and Nion.
A Calendar Controversy
It would be inaccurate to talk about the Celtic Tree Calendar without mentioning the controversy that has unfolded since its inception. It is very important to note that the Celtic Tree Calendar is a modern invention based on a poetic and romanticized interpretation of the ancient Celts. We know that, historically, the Celts had their own way of breaking down the year into halves: Winter and Summer. These halves are often referred to as the dark half and light half of the year, though that may also be a modern interpretation.

Jones’s Celtic Encyclopedia states that the Celts had a calendar that existed independent of the Roman calendar. Irish literature gives us information on four important holidays in the Irish calendar: Samhain, Imbolc, Bealtaine, and Lughnasadh. Then, with the evidence we have through the existence of the Coligny calendar, we know that the Gauls (thus Celts) had a calendar based on the solar and lunar cycles rather than trees of folklore or druidic practice.
When you research more about the Celtic Tree Calendar, be aware that any source calling it ancient is mistaken.
See also: Robert Graves Discussion | Spells8 Forum
* Spells8 members only
Modern Use of the Celtic Tree Calendar
While the Tree Calendar itself is shrouded in contention, it can still be used by modern pagans to connect to their Celtic and nature-based practices. This can look like many things such as planning their year around the themes of the ogham, following along with the seasons, and even marking important holidays. There are a few things to consider when you use this calendar for yourself. These include the letters of the Ogham and the date of the new year.

When using the Celtic Tree Calendar, it is important to note that not every letter of the Ogham alphabet is used. This is because Robert Graves took the 13 he felt fit into the calendar and left the rest out. There is also a notable difference in the calendars that may look like a mistake but it isn’t. Between the last month of the year (Ruis) and the first month of the year (Beth), a day is left out. Robert Graves did this on purpose and here is what he had to say about it.
But what of the extra day? It falls outside the thirteen-month year and is therefore not ruled by any of the Trees. I am assuming that its natural place is between the letter-months of R and B, in the day after the winter solstice when the hours of daylight begin to lengthen again: in fact, about Christmas Eve, the birthday of the Divine Child.
– The White Goddess by Robert Graves, Chapter 10: The Tree Alphabet Part One
Jones’s Celtic Encyclopedia states this was done because December 23rd is the traditional day of the proverbial “year and a day” in the earliest courts of law. It is also worth noting that Robert Graves may have placed the start of the calendar on December 24th to coincide with the birth of the Sun God. However, we know that the ancient Celts did not actively participate in Sun worship, much less a male sun god. After all, the Irish word for sun is grainne, a feminine word that is also the name of a goddess. We also know that the ancient Irish considered Samhain to be the beginning of a new year, not the Winter Solstice.

There is no traditional way to utilize the Celtic Tree Calendar due to its modern creation. Feel free to use the calendar in a way that works for you!
Remember that just because something is not an ancient practice does not mean it can’t have modern applications. It is okay for something to be modern and still useful!
13 Celtic Months
We are currently in the month of Luis from January 21 – February 17.
Click here to go to this month’s printable!

As mentioned above, each month in the Celtic Tree Calendar is named after a letter in the Ogham alphabet and its corresponding tree or plant. Using folklore and meanings assigned to the Ogham and the associated trees, each month can also be associated with different parts of a person’s life. It is worth mentioning that there are some differences in tree associations depending on the source of your information. The trees associated with the months here are from Jones’s Celtic Encyclopedia as well as from Ogam: Weaving Word Wisdom by Erynn Rowan Laurie.
Let’s explore each month in a little more detail!
Beth (Birch) – December 24 – January 20
As a letter, Beth (also spelled Beith) is given to the Birch tree. It is associated with the story of Oghma and the creation of the Ogham alphabet. It is said that Oghma created the first Ogham letter to warn Lugh about a plot to steal his wife away to the Otherworld. Beth is commonly associated with protection and cleansing. This is due to the story of the first Ogham created as well as the historical uses of the birch tree. Birch was traditionally used for cleansing and purifying the home and body. Birch twigs were used for brooms and the oil extracted from birch is a mild analgesic used for relieving pain.
Some concepts to keep in mind during the month of Beth include protection, purification, and physical safety.
See also: Beith – Birch || Learning Ogham

Luis (Rowan) – January 21 to February 17
The second month is Luis (also spelled Lus) or the Rowan tree. According to Robert Graves, this tree is also known as quickbeam or ‘tree of life’. Rowan has a slender trunk with smooth bark. It is undemanding and capable of withstanding frost, often colonizing disrupted and inaccessible places. The Rowan tree has traditionally been used for cooking, medicine, and food for livestock. It is tough and flexible, making it an ideal candidate for woodworking. In the Ogham Tract, we can see that Luis is also connected to the concept of flames and fire. This brings more meaning to the month as we understand the Sacred Flame and its connection to Brighid at Imbolc on February 1st.
Some concepts to keep in mind during the month of Luis include inspiration, passion, creativity, and spiritual teachers.
See also: Lus – Rowan || Learning Ogham

Nion (Ash) – February 18 to March 17
The third month is Nion (also spelled Nin) and is associated with the Ash tree. The word itself, Nion, has an unclear meaning. However, it is commonly associated with weaving and may refer to part of a weaver’s loom. In ancient times, weaving was traditionally seen as women’s work. Through this connection, Nion can be viewed as a symbol of femininity and female empowerment. Much of the labor in ancient societies, often labeled as “women’s work,” represents the overlooked elements of history—the activities that continued while men were off hunting or waging wars. Maintaining homes, raising children, and weaving not just cloth but words for communication formed the often-forgotten backbone of many villages. Nion also conveys a sense of community connection and support. When the threads that bind a community begin to unravel, its strength weakens.
Some concepts to keep in mind during the month of Nion include weaving, healing, communication, writing, and harmony.
See also: Nin – Ash || Learning Ogham

Fearn (Alder) – March 18 to April 14
The fourth month is Fearn (also spelled Fern) and it is associated with the Alder tree. Historically, the wood of the alder tree was used to make shields, bowls, and buckets. This is an Ogham letter that is heavily associated with protection and sustenance in many forms. From protection against physical harm, bowls for holding soup, and buckets to carry the milk of the cattle, the Alder tree has been around for a very long time providing a way for humans to continue living.
Some concepts to keep in mind during the month of Fearn include physical and emotional protection, integrity, and shelter.
See also: Fern – Alder || Learning Ogham

Saille (Willow) – April 15 to May 12
The fifth month of the Celtic Tree Calendar is Saille (also spelled Sail), the Willow Tree. This tree has many different associations and uses, but most of them connect back to the concept of time. When we look at the tree itself, they all grow in damp soil along riverbanks. If a Willow is found elsewhere, chances are that it is growing near an underground source of water that keeps the soil moist. Two of the main concepts of Saille are that of time and flow, both leaning on the uses of the tree itself as well as where it grows. Water is connected to time in that the tides ebb and flow. Time is connected to death and the ancestors because everyone eventually runs out of time. Depending on where you lived, the wood of the Willow Tree was used to make coffins and was seen as a sign of death and bad luck.
Some concepts to keep in mind during the month of Saille include ancestors, flow, time, and inspiration.
See also: Sail – Willow || Learning Ogham

Uath (Hawthorn) – May 13 to June 9
The sixth month in the Celtic Tree Calendar comes to Uath (also spelled h-Úath). It is connected to the Hawthorn Tree. With a literal translation of “terror”, h-Úath is one of the ogham letters that many find daunting. The Hawthorn Tree has a long history of use in magickal practices, specifically malevolent magic and cursing. The Irish Filid used the Hawthorn to carry out the glám dícenn. This is an Irish curse that involved seven Irish Filid standing on a hilltop beneath a thorn tree, each reciting satire against a person and piercing a poppet with the thorn of the Hawthorn tree.
Some concepts to keep in mind during the month of Uath include protection, revenge, fears, and anxiety.
See also: h-Úath – Hawthorn || Learning Ogham

Duir (Oak) – June 10 to July 7
The next month in the Celtic Tree Calendar is that of Duir (also spelled Dair), the Oak Tree. Duir is associated with strength and stability. The tree itself stands tall and strong, often withstanding the mightiest of winds. This strength provides timber for human use as well as long-lasting homes and ecosystems for the many animals that call an Oak Tree home. Duir is also deeply linked to the concepts of divinity and deity. The Oak Tree has been revered for thousands of years across Europe, and while it may not have been central to ancient Druidic practices, it remains a vital part of many Celtic traditions. It is said that Brighid’s well and her eternal flame at Kildare were established around an oak tree. In fact, the name Kildare itself comes from the Irish “cill daire,” which translates to “church of the oak.”
Some concepts to keep in mind during the month of Duir include stability, strength, and divinity.
See also: Dair – Oak || Learning Ogham

Tinne (Holly) – July 8 to August 4
The eighth month in the Celtic Tree Calendar is Tinne, the evergreen Holly Tree. The Holly Tree is only one tree associated with Tinne, but it is the most common. To understand the meaning of Tinne, it is important to know that Tinne translates to “ingot”. Yes, that is an “ingot” like a piece of metal used in smithing. In many ancient Celtic societies, metal was very valuable. It was so valuable, in fact, that little metal bars (ingots) were known to be used as currency. This metal held great value for what it was, but there was also value in what it could be. This gives Tinne a connection with the ideas of value and wealth as well as creativity and craftsmanship.
Some concepts to keep in mind during the month of Tinne include craftsmanship, skill, and transformation.
See also: Tinne – Holly || Learning Ogham

Coll (Hazel) – August 5 to September 1
The ninth month is known as Coll, the Hazel Tree. A native Irish species with a rich magickal history, the Hazel Tree is closely connected to Ireland’s earliest inhabitants. The first settlers of Ireland relied on hazelnuts as a food source, and the wood, known for its strength and flexibility, was used to construct their homes. The Hazel Tree is an important symbol of wisdom in Irish mythology and folklore. It is said that nine Hazel Trees surround the Well of Wisdom in the Otherworld, waiting to drop their nuts into the well for the Sacred Salmon to eat.
Some concepts to keep in mind during the month of Coll include wisdom, divine inspiration, and liminality.
See also: Coll – Hazel || Learning Ogham

Muin (Vine) – September 2 to September 29
The tenth month of the Celtic Tree Calendar is Muin, an Ogham letter associated with vines. It is interesting to note that the vine in this instance may actually refer to grapes which, coincidentally, are not native to Ireland at all. Erynn Rowan Laurie, the author of Weaving Word Wisdom, believes this may be a nod to the importance of wine in early Christian rituals as the alcoholic beverages associated with Celtic rituals were mead and ale. Muin is a connection to all forms of communication, but there is importance placed upon the concepts of love, trickery, and passion. Muin deals with the way you communicate with others as well as how they communicate with you. Grapes, and the product of wine, were used in rituals but the alcohol also has a way of affecting one’s communication. That old saying of “drunken words are sober thoughts” becomes a reality with Muin.
Some concepts to keep in mind during the month of Muin include communication, honesty, and vulnerability.
See also: Muin – Vine || Learning Ogham

Gort (Ivy) – September 30 to October 27
The eleventh month is known as the month of Gort and is connected to the Ivy plant. The word itself, Gort, roughly translates to “garden“, though it is associated with the concept of growth in general. Though it is not necessarily a tree, the ivy plant represents the vast expanse of growth and strength required to reach new heights. Gort is all about cultivating a feeling of home, peace, and safety. This is where we allow the gardens of our hearts and minds to grow beautifully and uninhibited in their glory. Gort has everything to do with growth and gardens in as many aspects as you can think of. This includes literal gardens where we grow our food, emotional gardens where we deal with trauma, as well as spiritual gardens in terms of abundance and growth.
Some concepts to keep in mind during the month of Gort include expansion, patience, and sanctuary.
See also: Gort – Ivy || Learning Ogham

Ngetal (Broom) – October 28 to November 24
The twelfth month of the Celtic Calendar is known as nGétal (also spelled Ngetal). Robert Graves and many others associate nGétal with the Reed. However, the Ogham Tract associates nGétal with Broom, also known as Cytisus scoparius or by its Irish name of Giolcach shléibhe. For this calendar, we will stick with the use of Broom for nGétal because it is a letter associated with healing.
The word nGétal itself literally translates to “wound”. It is a letter associated with healing and charms. The word “charm” as a translation for nGétal is also applicable here. In traditional healing practices of many Celtic cultures, songs were sung and chants were spoken to create charms for healing. This was done over a person who was sick or injured. This practice of healing others carries over today into many Celtic practices where the focus is on healing and community service. Historically, Broom was used as a disinfectant both magickally and in mundane life. It was sometimes burned during saining rituals or smoke cleansing to purify and fumigate homes. Among its other uses, the branches of Broom were also used as a tonic for kidney, liver, and heart issues. However, care needed to be taken because overdoses of Broom are toxic!
Some concepts to keep in mind during the month of nGétal include health, burnout, and physicians.
See also: nGétal – Broom || Learning Ogham

Ruis (Elder) – November 25 to December 22
Lastly, we have come to the thirteenth and final month of the Celtic Tree Calendar. This month is known as Ruis and is associated with the Elder Tree. The Ogham letter itself is associated with passion in all its forms. However, the Elder Tree is a mystical one that is associated with both bad luck and good luck depending on the lore. For example, in Ireland, it is said that children’s cradles were never to be made from the Elder Tree for fear the Sídhe would harm the baby. However, in Scotland, the Elder Tree was used as a powerful charm against malevolent magic and to see into the Sídhe realm. Robert Graves associated the Elder Tree with witches and curses, as well. However, he also states that the white flowers of the Elder Tree blooming in Summer are connected to the White Goddess, giving it a more positive meaning. Whichever meaning feels right for you, it is worth mentioning that Ruis translates to “passion”, and this includes passions in all its forms, both good and bad.
Some concepts to keep in mind during the month of Ruis include shame, obsession, and emotional instability.
See also: Ruis – Elder || Learning Ogham

The Thirteen Trees
Whether you choose to utilize the Celtic Tree Calendar or not is a personal decision, one you should make for yourself. Remember that this is a modern construct that has no basis in historical or ancient Celtic practices. This calendar is not part of any Celtic Reconstruction practice, either. However, that does not mean that it has no value – that value is determined by you and the way you choose to use it.
Sources and Further Reading
- Jones’s Celtic Encyclopedia
- The White Goddess by Robert Graves
- Weaving Word Wisdom by Erynn Rowan Laurie
Start the discussion at forum.spells8.com