DRUIDIC LUNAR CALENDAR

Here is an example of a Druidic lunar calendar. The Celts and Druids had a calendar that was based on the moon, and months went from full moon to full moon (the full moon being the first day of the new month). This calendar is different from the Druidic tree calendar you can sometimes find, though we may have an example of that in the future.

There are 13 moons in a lunar year. This matches up roughly to the twelve months in a "calendar" year.

The beginning of the Celtic year is the only odd calculation to make. Samhain, the end of the year, falls on the last full moon of October. However, after Samhain there is a period of five days that are not a part of the calendar year. This is an inbetween time, a time of Chaos and change, where the old year settles before the new begins. When these five days of "no-time" are done, the new year begins.


Samhain and Uenicar (oo' ni kar)

Samhain, the end of the year, occurs on October 5, 1998 (the full moon). Uenicar, the No-Time between years, lasts from October 6th to October 10th, 1998. This is a time between, a time of change and settling. Magheiden and the new year begin on October 11, 1998.


Maghieden (mohg hee' dhen)

Maghieden is the beginning month in the Celtic lunar calendar. It begins five days after Samhain and lasts until the next
full moon (thus, it is also the shortest noth of the year). Maghieden is also known as the Birthing Moon, a time of beginnings. This month is considered an auspicious time for journeys. (We are aware that this is a rather cold time for a journey, but believe that this is based on old legends of migrations to new lands undertaken at this time.) The patron deity for the month of Maghieden is Akurime.

Maghieden is from October 11, 1998 to November 3, 1998.

Oveanh (oo vin')

Oveanh is the second month in the Celtic calendar. It is also known as the Sleeping Moon, and is a time for thought and contemplation. The patron deity for this month is Machiea.

Oveanh is from November 4 (full moon) to December 2nd, 1998.

Hunlidh (hün' lee)

Hunlidh is the third month of the year. It is also known as the Dreaming Moon. It is a good time for resting. The first day of Hunlidh (full moon) is when we celebrate Yule. The patron deity for this month is Kreaheg.

Hunlidh is from December 3, 1998 (full moon/Yule) to December 31, 1998.

Llianth

A note about the pronounciation of this word; the double "l" is pronounced as it would be in Welsh. One places the tongue against the back of the front teeth and blows air from around the sides of the tongue. Alternately, the easy way is to pronounce it like a soft "th" (like the "th" in "thanks"). Thus the word would be pronounced (th ee' ahnth).

Llianth is the fourth month of the year. It is also known as the Poet's Moon. It is a time for peace, creativity, and inspiration. The patron deity of Llianth is Brighid.

Llianth is from January 1, 1999 to January 30, 1999.

Carmoil (kar moy' l)

Carmoil is the fifth month of the year. It is also called the Waking Moon. It is a good time for dancing and challenges. The first day of Carmoil (full moon) is when we celebrate Imbolc. This month's patron deity is Goibhnu.

Carmoil is from January 31, 1999 (Imbolc) to March 1, 1999.

Haemgild (hayeem' gilt)

Haemgild is the sixth month of the year. It can also be called the Planting Moon. It is a time for growth and emergence. The patron deity for Haemgild is Kairn.

Haemgild is from March 2, 1999 to March 30, 1999.

Gidhet (gee eht')

Gidhet is the seventh month of the year, and also known as the Flower Moon. It is a good time for carving and craftsmanship. The first day of Gidhet (full moon) is when we celebrate Beltane. The patron detiy for this month is Oghami.

Gidhet is from March 31, 1999 (Beltane) to April 29, 1999.

Duharkat (dwâr kît')

Duharkat is the eighth month of the year. It is also called the Cattle Moon. It is a good time for celebrations, parties, and raids. Duharkat's patron deity is Eposia.

Duharkat is from April 30, 1999 to May 29, 1999.

Rodlima (rud lee may')

Rodlima is the ninth month of the year. It is also known as the Bird Moon. It is a time for births. The first day of this month (full moon) is when Midsummer is celebrated. The patron deity for Rodlima is Tasimea.

Rodlima is from May 30, 1999 (Midsummer) to June 27, 1999.

Bemgusith (bem güs' eeth)

This is the tenth month of the year. It can also be called the Battle Moon, and is considered a time for war. this month's patron deity is Rusidheumidd.

Bemgusith is from June 28, 1999 to July 27, 1999.

Culendom (cu' lin dum)

This is the eleventh month of the year, also called the Harvest Moon. It is a time of reaping and fruition. The first day of Culendom (full moon) is when Harvest/Lughnasadh is celebrated. The patron deity for the month of culendom is Haskiti.

Culendom is from July 28, 1999 (Harvest) to August 27, 1999.

Alverci (al ver' see)

This is the twelfth month of the year. It can also be called the Artist Moon or Raining Moon. It is a time of winds and rain. The patron deity for this month is Basihea.

Alverci is from August 28, 1999 to September 24, 1999.

Shar'tanog (shar' tuh näg')

This is the thirteenth and last month of the Celtic Year. It is also called the Dying Moon. It is a time of sleep, endings, and death. Laknois is the patron deity for this month.

Shar'tanog is from September 25, 1999 to October 23, 1999.

Uenicar (oo' ni kar)

Samhain, the end of the year, occurs on October 24, 1999. Uenicar, the No-Time between years, lasts from October 25 to October 29. This is a time between, a time of change and settling. Magheiden and the new year begin again October 30, 1999.