"Who can tell the Phases of the Moon?" - Song of Amergin
The Celtic Calendar - Correspondences to the Gregorian calendar
samon duman rivros anagantios ogronnos cvtios || giammon semivisonna equos elemivios aedrini cantlos
This interpretation of the Celtic calendar defines the beginning of the traditional Celtic year as being based on a single and practical rule:
It begins with the first lunation following the spring equinox, this lunation commencing at sunset at the first quarter phase of that moon.
Samon equates to Samhradh, from *samo- for 'summer'. Giamon equates to Geimhreadh, from *gaimo- for 'winter'.
This rule specifically places Samon as the Gaulish version of the first month of summer:
Samon is the beginning of samrad, 'summer', and directly equates to Cétemain, the month of Maytime and Beltaine.
THE CELTIC YEAR 2009
Comparing the Celtic calendar to the Gregorian calendar assists in its understanding, as the seasonal progression through the Gregorian year is familiar to us due to its use today. We can superimpose our observation of the moon's phases on the calendar dates and then meet the days in the traditional Celtic manner. We also are able to follow the passage of the five year cycle, and discover the operation of the intercalary months.
In order to follow a calendar of correspondences, the beginning of the cycles is required. The year 2002 is shown in this interpretation of the Celtic calendar to commence a 30 year age, as this is the year of Saturn's heliacal rise in Taurus. This is based on on the dialogue of Plutarch from around AD75 that described a tradition known from Demetrius of Tarsus, who had recently returned from Britain: "Now when at intervals of thirty years the star of Cronus...enters the sign of the Bull...those who have served the god together for thirty years return home" in combination with Pliny the Elder's Natural History (17.95), compiled in AD55-79, who writes of the Gaulish Druids and specifies the first quarter moon as "the beginning of their months and years, as also of their ages, which, with them, are but thirty years".
This then defines the start of the current Celtic age as 2002. The year 2009 is by this reckoning year 3 of the second five year cycle and includes an intercalary month at its middle, prior to Giamon. In this year we observe both the function and cause of the need for the additional month.
Sunset on the first quarter moon of April, 2002.
Saturn is located within the constellation of Taurus by the bright star Aldebaran,
and the other visible planets arrayed. Screenshot display using CyberSky4.
The Celtic months are representations of actual lunations, and therefore the twelve months total a period some ten days short of the solar year. Thus the timing of the months on any year is ten days or so earlier than in the previous year.
To 'catch up' with the sun, two 30 day intercalary months push forward the subsequent months by a lunation, bringing the months back in line with the Sun and the seasons. Year three commences about 20 days earlier in the solar cycle than year one;
The Celtic calendar inscription tells us this directly as inscribed in the preamble to the second intercalary month, which reads: "CIALLOS B[V]IS SONNO CINGOS AMMAN.M.MXIII [...]LAT.CCCLXXXV [..B]ANTARAN M", and understandable as 'Sense pair for the Sun's progression - a period of 13 months made of 385 days in a year with an intercalary month' (see Introduction).
In the third year, Samon has fallen back some 20 days in the solar cycle compared to its relative position in the first year. By the end of the sixth month, Cutios, the third year has fallen back by over 20 days compared to the same time in the first year: the intercalary month brings the beginning of Giamon the seventh regular month back to its seasonal position.
In 2007 when the current five year cycle commenced, Samon corresponded with April 25 to May 24. In 2008, Samon was relatively earlier and corresponded to April 13 to May 12. In 2009, the third year, Samon has fallen further back, corresponding to April 2 to May 1. By including the intercalary month in year 3, the Celtic calendar restores Samon of 2010, the fourth year, to April 21 to May 20, bringing the year to a very similar position in the solar cycle as year one. The fifth year of the cycle, 2011, begins earlier again, April 10 to May 9. By the start of the next year, 2012 the first year of the next five year cycle, the other intercalary month is introduced prior to Samon, so that Samon corresponds to April 30 to May 30.
The intercalary months are introduced to allow the calendar to catch up with the solar cycle, but the cumulative effect is to produce a five year cycle some 5 or 6 days longer than five solar years. Every five year cycle moves slightly forward so that after the age has completed, the calendar does not require an intercalary month at its very start.
This presentation states that Samon is equivalent to the month of May, such that Samon and Cétemain are to be identified, both corresponding to the first month of the Celtic summer. However, as can be seen by the backward creep of the calendar compared to the solar cycle, in year 3 Samon is at its earliest and corresponds to April. This has very important implications to considerations of the usurping of Beltaine in favour of Easter by Patrick in AD433, because as can be seen in this calendar of correspondences, in 2009 Easter and the early Samon coincide, and the fires for both feasts would have been lit. This is looked at in greater detail elsewhere in this presentation, where the assumed apocryphal story of Patrick and the usurping of Beltaine is shown to be plausible.
Mids SAMON Matus - the first month
G. Samon equiv. I. Samhradh corresp. Beltaine: transl. 'Summer'
| I | II | III | IIII | V | VI | VII | VIII | VIIII | X | XI | XII | XIII | XIIII | XV |
| Apr2 | Apr3 | Apr4 | Apr5 | Apr6 | Apr7 | Apr8 | Apr9 | Apr10 | Apr11 | Easter | Apr13 | Apr14 | Apr15 | Apr16 |
First QuarterApril 2, 2009 At zenith at sunset |
Full MoonApril 10, 2009 Eastern horizon |
Last QuarterApril 17, 2009 At nadir at sunset |
New MoonApril 24, 2009 Western horizon |
| I | II | III | IIII | V | VI | VII | VIII | VIIII | X | XI | XII | XIII | XIIII | XV |
| Apr17 | Apr18 | Apr19 | Apr20 | Apr21 | Apr22 | Apr23 | Apr24 | Apr25 | Apr26 | Apr27 | Apr28 | Apr29 | Apr30 | May1 |
| SAMHRADH - SAMON - SUMMER | GEIMHREADH - GIAMMON - WINTER | |||||||||||
| SAM | DUM | RIUR | ANAG | OGR | CUT | CIAL | GIAM | SEMI | EQU | ELEM | AED | CANT |
Etymology
Gaulish Samon - summer
I. Céitein: cét-Samon:
the first Weather-Movement
of summer - the month of May
I. Samhradh - Summer season
EI. Samrad, sam - summer
W. Haf - cognate of I. Sam-
Indo-E: *samo- summer
Sanskrit sámâ 'year'
"The Fena divided the year in two. During the first half, from Bealtine to Samhain, they hunted each day with their dogs"
- 16th Century Irish tale The Pursuit of Giolla Dacker and his Horse
Samon date correspondencesYear 1: April 24 - May 23, 2007
Year 2: April 13 - May 12, 2008
Year 3: April 2 - May 1, 2009
Year 4: April 21 - May 20, 2010
Year 5: April 11 - May 9, 2011
Mids DUMAN Anmatus - the second month
G. Duman equiv. I. Doman corresp. early summer: transl. 'The World'
| I | II | III | IIII | V | VI | VII | VIII | VIIII | X | XI | XII | XIII | XIIII | XV |
| May2 | May3 | May4 | May5 | May6 | May7 | May8 | May9 | May10 | May11 | May12 | May13 | May14 | May15 | May16 |
|
First Quarter May 1, 2009 At zenith at sunset |
Full Moon May 9, 2009 Eastern horizon |
Last Quarter May 17, 2009 At nadir at sunset |
New Moon May 24, 2009 Western horizon |
| I | II | III | IIII | V | VI | VII | VIII | VIIII | X | XI | XII | XIII | XIIII | XV |
| May17 | May18 | May19 | May20 | May21 | May22 | May23 | May24 | May25 | May26 | May27 | May28 | May29 | May30 | noday |
| SAMHRADH - SAMON - SUMMER | GEIMHREADH - GIAMMON - WINTER | |||||||||||
| SAM | DUM | RIUR | ANAG | OGR | CUT | CIAL | GIAM | SEMI | EQU | ELEM | AED | CANT |
Etymology
Gaulish Dumno- the world
G. Dumnorix - World King:
I. Domhnall; W. Dyfnual
Celtic dubno- world, the deep
I. Domhan OI. Domun
- the Universe, all
I. Domhain OI. Domain deep
W. Dyfr I. Dobhar water
Indo-E: *dheub- the deep
"I invoke the land of Éire: much coursed by the fertile sea
Tara of the hill of the tribes - I invoke the land of Éire."
- Amairgen, first Druid of the Gaels: Leabhar Gabhála, 11th Century
Duman date correspondencesYear 1: May 25 - June 22, 2007
Year 2: May 13 - June 10, 2008
Year 3: May 2 - May 30, 2009
Year 4: May 21 - June 18, 2010
Year 5: May 10 - June 7, 2011
Mids RIUROS Matus - the third month
G. Riuros equiv. I. Rí-, W. Rig- + -Ur- corresp. solsticial summer: transl. 'The New King'
| I | II | III | IIII | V | VI | VII | VIII | VIIII | X | XI | XII | XIII | XIIII | XV |
| May31 | Jun1 | Jun2 | Jun3 | Jun4 | Jun5 | Jun6 | Jun7 | Jun8 | Jun9 | Jun10 | Jun11 | Jun12 | Jun13 | Jun14 |
|
First Quarter May 31, 2009 At zenith at sunset |
Full Moon June 7, 2009 Eastern horizon |
Last Quarter June 15, 2009 At nadir at sunset |
New Moon June 22, 2009 Western horizon |
| I | II | III | IIII | V | VI | VII | VIII | VIIII | X | XI | XII | XIII | XIIII | XV |
| Jun15 | Jun16 | Jun17 | Jun18 | Jun19 | Jun20 | Jun21 | Jun22 | Jun23 | Jun24 | Jun25 | Jun26 | Jun27 | Jun28 | Jun29 |
| SAMHRADH - SAMON - SUMMER | GEIMHREADH - GIAMMON - WINTER | |||||||||||
| SAM | DUM | RIUR | ANAG | OGR | CUT | CIAL | GIAM | SEMI | EQU | ELEM | AED | CANT |
Etymology
Gaulish -rix king
Lat. rex - king:
I. rígh, OI.rí
W. rhi, king, ruler
I. núadh new
I. ùr - new, fresh
OI. úr EI. húrde
W. ir fresh, green
Indo-E. *ûro-s pure
"I know well who the youth is:
He is Lugh, the Samíldánach!"
- The Fate of the Children of Turenn, Book of Lecan, 15th century
Riuros date correspondencesYear 1: June 23- July 22, 2007
Year 2: June 11 - July 10, 2008
Year 3: May 31 - Jun 29, 2009
Year 4: June 19 - July 18, 2010
Year 5: June 8 - July 7, 2011
Mids ANAGANTIOS Anmatus - the fourth month
G. Anagantios equiv. I. Ingantach corresp. Lughnasa: transl. 'Unwonted'
| I | II | III | IIII | V | VI | VII | VIII | VIIII | X | XI | XII | XIII | XIIII | XV |
| Jun30 | July1 | July2 | July3 | July4 | July5 | July6 | July7 | July8 | July9 | July10 | July11 | July12 | July13 | July14 |
|
First Quarter June 29, 2009 At zenith at sunset |
Full Moon July 7, 2009 Eastern horizon |
Last Quarter July 15, 2009 At nadir at sunset |
New Moon July 22, 2009 Western horizon |
| I | II | III | IIII | V | VI | VII | VIII | VIIII | X | XI | XII | XIII | XIIII | XV |
| July15 | July16 | July17 | July18 | July19 | July20 | July21 | July22 | July23 | July24 | July25 | July26 | July27 | July28 | noday |
| SAMHRADH - SAMON - SUMMER | GEIMHREADH - GIAMMON - WINTER | |||||||||||
| SAM | DUM | RIUR | ANAG | OGR | CUT | CIAL | GIAM | SEMI | EQU | ELEM | AED | CANT |
Etymology
I. ingantach - wonderful:
in-gnáth - 'not wont':
ion- (neg. prefix) + gnáth
I. gnáth, W. gnawd -
custom, usual: root gnô, gnâ, gen, 'know'
I. mearganta - brisk, lively
(mear: merry)
I. anagna, ana-gnáth unusual
W. asanghlywedig: unusual
ana-, 'not' conv. to in- before g
"At this time a great fair-meeting was held by the king of Ireland, Nuada of the Silver Hand"
- The Fate of the Children of Turenn, Book of Lecan, 15th century
Anagantios date correspondencesYear 1: July 23 - August 20, 2007
Year 2: July 11 - August 8, 2008
Year 3: Jun 30 - July 28, 2009
Year 4: July 19 - August 16, 2010
Year 5: July 8 - August 5, 2011
Mids OGRON Matus - the fifth month
G. Ogron eqiv. W. Oer corresp. early autumn: transl. 'Colder'
| I | II | III | IIII | V | VI | VII | VIII | VIIII | X | XI | XII | XIII | XIIII | XV |
| July29 | July30 | July31 | Aug1 | Aug2 | Aug3 | Aug4 | Aug5 | Aug6 | Aug7 | Aug8 | Aug9 | Aug10 | Aug11 | Aug12 |
|
First Quarter July 28, 2009 At zenith at sunset |
Full Moon August 6, 2009 Eastern horizon |
Last Quarter August 13, 2009 At nadir at sunset |
New Moon August 20, 2009 Western horizon |
| I | II | III | IIII | V | VI | VII | VIII | VIIII | X | XI | XII | XIII | XIIII | XV |
| Aug13 | Aug14 | Aug15 | Aug16 | Aug17 | Aug18 | Aug19 | Aug20 | Aug21 | Aug22 | Aug23 | Aug24 | Aug25 | Aug26 | Aug27 |
| SAMHRADH - SAMON - SUMMER | GEIMHREADH - GIAMMON - WINTER | |||||||||||
| SAM | DUM | RIUR | ANAG | OGR | CUT | CIAL | GIAM | SEMI | EQU | ELEM | AED | CANT |
Etymology
I. fuar - cold EI. uar
W. oer - cold Corn. oir
Celt. stem *ogro- cold
I. fuarálach, chill
I. fuachd OI. uacht, ócht cold
"Song is no use - coldest omen - summer's bard is banned
When autumn comes I ask Alas, where is summer?"
- Dafydd ap Gwilym: 'Summer', Mid fourteenth century
Ogron date correspondencesYear 1: August 21 - September 19, 2007
Year 2: August 9 - September 7, 2008
Year 3: July 29 - August 27, 2009
Year 4: August 17 - September 15, 2010
Year 5: August 6 - September 4, 2011
Mids CUTIOS Matus - the sixth month
G. Cutios eqiv. W. Cuddio corresp. autumnal equinox: transl. 'Conceal'
| I | II | III | IIII | V | VI | VII | VIII | VIIII | X | XI | XII | XIII | XIIII | XV |
| Aug28 | Aug29 | Aug30 | Aug31 | Sept1 | Sept2 | Sept3 | Sept4 | Sept5 | Sept6 | Sept7 | Sept8 | Sept9 | Sept10 | Sept11 |
|
First Quarter August 27, 2009 At zenith at sunset |
Full Moon September 4, 2009 Eastern horizon |
Last Quarter September 12, 2009 At nadir at sunset |
New Moon September 18, 2009 Western horizon |
| I | II | III | IIII | V | VI | VII | VIII | VIIII | X | XI | XII | XIII | XIIII | XV |
| Sept12 | Sept13 | Sept14 | Sept15 | Sept16 | Sept17 | Sept18 | Sept19 | Sept20 | Sept21 | Sept22 | Sept23 | Sept24 | Sept25 | Sept26 |
| SAMHRADH - SAMON - SUMMER | GEIMHREADH - GIAMMON - WINTER | |||||||||||
| SAM | DUM | RIUR | ANAG | OGR | CUT | CIAL | GIAM | SEMI | EQU | ELEM | AED | CANT |
Etymology
EW. cuddyaw, cuddio - to cover
W. cuddio- to hide
W. caeadau - a cover
Indo-E. *[s]-keu - to cover
keu, ku : hence I. cuaran
a covering for the foot and leg
"Obtain the Birds of Rhiannon, they that wake the dead
and lull the living to sleep"
- From the tasks set before Culhwch by Chief Giant Ysbaddaden, Tenth Century Wales
Ogron date correspondencesYear 1: September 20 - October 19, 2007
Year 2: September 8 - October 7, 2008
Year 3: August 28 - September 26, 2009
Year 4: September 16 - October 15, 2010
Year 5: September 5 - October 4, 2011
CIALLOS - the intercalary month
G. Ciallos equiv. I. Ciall, W. Pwyll corresp winter intercalary of year 3: transl. 'Sense'
| I | II | III | IIII | V | VI | VII | VIII | VIIII | X | XI | XII | XIII | XIIII | XV |
| Sept27 | Sept28 | Sept29 | Sept30 | Oct1 | Oct2 | Oct3 | Oct4 | Oct5 | Oct6 | Oct7 | Oct8 | Oct9 | Oct10 | Oct11 |
|
First Quarter September 26, 2009 At zenith at sunset |
Full Moon October 4, 2009 Eastern horizon |
Last Quarter October 11, 2009 At nadir at sunset |
New Moon October 18, 2009 Western horizon |
| I | II | III | IIII | V | VI | VII | VIII | VIIII | X | XI | XII | XIII | XIIII | XV |
| Oct12 | Oct13 | Oct14 | Oct15 | Oct16 | Oct17 | Oct18 | Oct19 | Oct20 | Oct21 | Oct22 | Oct23 | Oct24 | Oct25 | Oct26 |
| SAMHRADH - SAMON - SUMMER | GEIMHREADH - GIAMMON - WINTER | |||||||||||
| SAM | DUM | RIUR | ANAG | OGR | CUT | CIAL | GIAM | SEMI | EQU | ELEM | AED | CANT |
Etymology
CIALLOS B[V]IS 'sense pair'
I. ciall, W. pwyll sense
I. dias, Lat. bessis
SONNO CINGOS
sun progession G. cingeto-
AMMAN.M.MXIII
I. amm; ammaimm 'a time': 13 months
LAT CCCLXXXV
I. lathe 'day' and 385
...ANTARAN M
I. etar, Lat. inter: antaran: 'intercalary'.
"Arawn returned to Annwyn, and Pwyll to Dyfed;
Having dwelt in Annwyn, he was thenceforth called Pwyll Chief of Annwyn"
- The mabinogi of Pwyll Prince of Dyfed
Intercalary month occurrence:Year 1: Summer Intercalary followed by twelve regular months
Year 2: Twelve regular months
Year 3: Six months, Winter Intercalary, six months
Year 4: Twelve regular months
Year 5: Twelve regular months
Mids GIAMON Anmatus - the seventh month
G. Giammon equiv. I. Gaimred, W. Gaem corresp. Samhain: transl. 'Winter'
| I | II | III | IIII | V | VI | VII | VIII | VIIII | X | XI | XII | XIII | XIIII | XV |
| Oct27 | Oct28 | Oct29 | Oct30 | Oct31 | Nov1 | Nov2 | Nov3 | Nov4 | Nov5 | Nov6 | Nov7 | Nov8 | Nov9 | Nov10 |
|
First Quarter October 26, 2009 At zenith at sunset |
Full Moon November 2, 2009 Eastern horizon |
Last Quarter November 9, 2009 At nadir at sunset |
New Moon November 16, 2009 Western horizon |
| I | II | III | IIII | V | VI | VII | VIII | VIIII | X | XI | XII | XIII | XIIII | XV |
| Nov11 | Nov12 | Nov13 | Nov14 | Nov15 | Nov16 | Nov17 | Nov18 | Nov19 | Nov20 | Nov21 | Nov22 | Nov23 | Nov24 | noday |
| SAMHRADH - SAMON - SUMMER | GEIMHREADH - GIAMMON - WINTER | |||||||||||
| SAM | DUM | RIUR | ANAG | OGR | CUT | CIAL | GIAM | SEMI | EQU | ELEM | AED | CANT |
Etymology
I. Geimhreadh - Winter
W. Gaeaf - Winter
*giamo-, winter
EI. gemred OI. gaimred
OW. gaem
I. gamhainn: a year old calf
that is, a winter old
Samhuinn, samain - assembly
as in samhuil, 'alike' *samani
sam + fuin = 'summer sunset'
"I wish, said the king, to know my destiny, and that of my
country, from this night till this night twelvemonths"
- The Expedition of Dathi, set in fifth century Ireland
Giamon date correspondencesYear 1: October 20 - November 17, 2007
Year 2: October 8 - November 5, 2008
Year 3: October 27 - November 24, 2009
Year 4: October 16 - November 13, 2010
Year 5: October 5 - November 2, 2011
Mids SIMIUIS Matus - the eighth month
G. Simiuisonna equiv. I. root Sem- -Uis- corresp. early winter: transl. 'The Source'
| I | II | III | IIII | V | VI | VII | VIII | VIIII | X | XI | XII | XIII | XIIII | XV |
| Nov25 | Nov26 | Nov27 | Nov28 | Nov29 | Nov30 | Dec1 | Dec2 | Dec3 | Dec4 | Dec5 | Dec6 | Dec7 | Dec8 | Dec9 |
|
First Quarter November 24, 2009 At zenith at sunset |
Full Moon December 2, 2009 Eastern horizon |
Last Quarter December 9, 2009 At nadir at sunset |
New Moon December 16, 2009 Western horizon |
| I | II | III | IIII | V | VI | VII | VIII | VIIII | X | XI | XII | XIII | XIIII | XV |
| Dec10 | Dec11 | Dec12 | Dec13 | Dec14 | Dec15 | Dec16 | Dec17 | Dec18 | Dec19 | Dec20 | Dec21 | Dec22 | Dec23 | Dec24 |
| SAMHRADH - SAMON - SUMMER | GEIMHREADH - GIAMMON - WINTER | |||||||||||
| SAM | DUM | RIUR | ANAG | OGR | CUT | CIAL | GIAM | SEMI | EQU | ELEM | AED | CANT |
Etymology
Semi- to flow
I. root sem, let go, from sê
Lat. simpulum, ladle
'pour out' (= to-ess-sem-im)
I. uisge OI. uisce - water
*ud-s-kio water
W. wysg, stream
Old Welsh uisc
Uisnech - Navel of Ireland
"Beside the fountain is a marble slab and a silver bowl fastened
by a silver chain. Take up the bowl and pour the water"
- Lady of the Fountain, White Book of Rhydderch, Fourteenth Century Wales
Simiuisonna date correspondencesYear 1: November 18 - December 17, 2007
Year 2: November 6 - December 5, 2008
Year 3: November 25 - December 24, 2009
Year 4: November 14 - December 13, 2010
Year 5: November 3 - December 2, 2011
Mids EQUOS Anmatus - the ninth month
G. Equos equiv. I. Ech corresp. solsticial winter: transl. 'Horse'
| I | II | III | IIII | V | VI | VII | VIII | VIIII | X | XI | XII | XIII | XIIII | XV |
| Dec25 | Dec26 | Dec27 | Dec28 | Dec29 | Dec30 | Dec31 | Jan1 | Jan2 | Jan3 | Jan4 | Jan5 | Jan6 | Jan7 | Jan8 |
|
First Quarter December 24, 2009 At zenith at sunset |
Full Moon December 31, 2009 Eastern horizon |
Last Quarter January 7, 2010 At nadir at sunset |
New Moon January 15, 2010 Western horizon |
| I | II | III | IIII | V | VI | VII | VIII | VIIII | X | XI | XII | XIII | XIIII | XV |
| Jan9 | Jan10 | Jan11 | Jan12 | Jan13 | Jan14 | Jan15 | Jan16 | Jan17 | Jan18 | Jan19 | Jan20 | Jan21 | Jan22 | unused |
| SAMHRADH - SAMON - SUMMER | GEIMHREADH - GIAMMON - WINTER | |||||||||||
| SAM | DUM | RIUR | ANAG | OGR | CUT | CIAL | GIAM | SEMI | EQU | ELEM | AED | CANT |
Etymology
I. ech
W. ebol
G. Epo-
Horse, colt: *ekvo-s;
Latin equus
Indo-E. *peku- herds
EI. icht, progeny
from *pektus root pek
MI. óc-ech, young steed
"Echu Airem sent messengers to every province of Eriu to seek the fairest woman in the land"
- Tochmarc Etain, Yellow Book of Lecan, c.1391-1401
Equos date correspondencesYear 1: December 18 - January 15, 2008
Year 2: December 6 - January 3, 2009
Year 3: December 25 - January 22, 2010
Year 4: December 14 - January 11, 2011
Year 5: December 3 - January 1, 2012
Mids ELEMBIUOS Anmatus - the tenth month
G. Elembiuos equiv. I. ailim + *bivo-s corresp. Imbolg: transl. 'Nurturing Life'
| I | II | III | IIII | V | VI | VII | VIII | VIIII | X | XI | XII | XIII | XIIII | XV |
| Jan23 | Jan24 | Jan25 | Jan26 | Jan27 | Jan28 | Jan29 | Jan30 | Jan31 | Feb1 | Feb2 | Feb3 | Feb4 | Feb5 | Feb6 |
|
First Quarter January 23, 2010 At zenith at sunset |
Full Moon January 30, 2010 Eastern horizon |
Last Quarter February 5, 2010 At nadir at sunset |
New Moon February 14, 2010 Western horizon |
| I | II | III | IIII | V | VI | VII | VIII | VIIII | X | XI | XII | XIII | XIIII | XV |
| Feb7 | Feb8 | Feb9 | Feb10 | Feb11 | Feb12 | Feb13 | Feb14 | Feb15 | Feb16 | Feb17 | Feb18 | Feb19 | Feb20 | noday |
| SAMHRADH - SAMON - SUMMER | GEIMHREADH - GIAMMON - WINTER | |||||||||||
| SAM | DUM | RIUR | ANAG | OGR | CUT | CIAL | GIAM | SEMI | EQU | ELEM | AED | CANT |
Etymology
Indo-E. *bivo-s, living
W. byw - living
I, OI. beó - living
Lat. vîvus - living
stem: al, el - nourish
I. ailim - rear, educate
I. oilim - rear, bring up
M.I. oilemain - nurture
"Brigit was born at sunrise, and bathed in milk, her breath revives the dead; a fiery pillar rises over her head;"
- The Book of Lismore, fifteenth century Ireland
Elembiuos date correspondencesYear 1: January 16 - February 13, 2008
Year 2: January 4 - February 1, 2009
Year 3: January 23 - February 20, 2010
Year 4: January 12 - February 9, 2011
Year 5: January 2 - January 30, 2012
Mids EDRINI Matus - the eleventh month
G. Edrini equiv. I. Aedh corresp. early spring: transl. 'Warmer'
| I | II | III | IIII | V | VI | VII | VIII | VIIII | X | XI | XII | XIII | XIIII | XV |
| Feb21 | Feb22 | Feb23 | Feb24 | Feb25 | Feb26 | Feb27 | Feb28 | Mar1 | Mar2 | Mar3 | Mar4 | Mar5 | Mar6 | Mar7 |
|
First Quarter February 22, 2010 At zenith at sunset |
Full Moon February 28, 2010 Eastern horizon |
Last Quarter March 7, 2010 At nadir at sunset |
New Moon March 15, 2010 Western horizon |
| I | II | III | IIII | V | VI | VII | VIII | VIIII | X | XI | XII | XIII | XIIII | XV |
| Mar8 | Mar9 | Mar10 | Mar11 | Mar12 | Mar13 | Mar14 | Mar15 | Mar16 | Mar17 | Mar18 | Mar19 | Mar20 | Mar21 | Mar22 |
| SAMHRADH - SAMON - SUMMER | GEIMHREADH - GIAMMON - WINTER | |||||||||||
| SAM | DUM | RIUR | ANAG | OGR | CUT | CIAL | GIAM | SEMI | EQU | ELEM | AED | CANT |
"So place the two on either hand, like the love that bound me -
Aedh as close before my face and twine their arms around me"
- The fate of the Children of Lir
Aedrini date correspondencesYear 1: February 14 - March 14, 2008
Year 2: February 2 - March 3, 2009
Year 3: February 21 - March 22, 2010
Year 4: February 10 - March 11, 2011
Year 5: January 31 - February 29, 2012
Mids CANTLOS Anmatus - the twelfth month
G. Cantlos eqiv. I. W. Canu corresp. spring equinox transl. 'Songs'
| I | II | III | IIII | V | VI | VII | VIII | VIIII | X | XI | XII | XIII | XIIII | XV |
| Mar23 | Mar24 | Mar25 | Mar26 | Mar27 | Mar28 | Mar29 | Mar30 | Mar31 | Apr1 | Apr2 | Apr3 | Apr4 | Apr5 | Apr6 |
|
First Quarter March 23, 2010 At zenith at sunset |
Full Moon March 30, 2010 Eastern horizon |
Last Quarter April 6, 2010 At nadir at sunset |
New Moon April 14, 2010 Western horizon |
| I | II | III | IIII | V | VI | VII | VIII | VIIII | X | XI | XII | XIII | XIIII | XV |
| Apr7 | Apr8 | Apr9 | Apr10 | Apr11 | Apr12 | Apr13 | Apr14 | Apr15 | Apr16 | Apr17 | Apr18 | Apr19 | Apr20 | noday |
| SAMHRADH - SAMON - SUMMER | GEIMHREADH - GIAMMON - WINTER | |||||||||||
| SAM | DUM | RIUR | ANAG | OGR | CUT | CIAL | GIAM | SEMI | EQU | ELEM | AED | CANT |
Etymology
W. can sing
W. canu,
EW. cant - celebrate in song
I. canu - song
I. canaim W. cana - sing
OI. canim - sing
Celtic *cantla- to sing
Latin cano, sing
I. caint - speech
"The blackbird sings a loud strain,
To him the live wood is a heritage"
- Song of Summer - Kuno Meyer, Four Old-Irish Songs
Cantlos date correspondencesYear 1: March 15 - April 12, 2008
Year 2: March 4 - April 1, 2009
Year 3: March 23 - April 20, 2010
Year 4: March 12 - April 9, 2011
Year 5: March 1 - March 30, 2012
The Celtic Calendar 2002 - 2011 using the Gaulish Calendar
2007
Year One of Cycle 2
I. Summer Series of Months
CIALLOS (Intercal)
Mar 26 - Apr 24, 2007
FQ Mar 25 (50)
SAMON Mat
Apr 25 - May 24, 2007
FQ Apr 23 (44)
DVMAN Anm
May 25 - Jun 22, 2007
FQ May 23 (49)
RIVROS Mat
Jun 23- Jul 22, 2007
FQ Jun 22 (52)
ANAGAN Anm
Jul 23 - Aug 20, 2007
FQ Jul 21 (45)
OGRON Mat
Aug 21 - Sep 19, 2007
FQ Aug 20 (47)
CVTIOS Mat
Sep 20 - Oct 19, 2007
FQ Sep 19 (50)
II. Winter Series of Months
GIAMON Anm
Oct 20 - Nov 17, 2007
FQ Oct 19 (54)
SIMIVIS Mat
Nov 18 - Dec 17, 2007
FQ Nov 17 (48)
EQVOS Anm29
Dec 18 - Jan 15, 2008
FQ Dec 17 (53)
ELEMBIV Anm
Jan 16 - Feb 13, 2008
FQ Jan 15 (49)
EDRINI Mat
Feb 14 - Mar 14, 2008
FQ Feb 13 (45)
CANTLOS Anm
Mar 15 - Apr 12, 2008
FQ Mar 14 (53)
2002
Year One of Cycle 1
I. Summer Series of Months
[CIALLOS (Intercal)
Omitted Year 1
of Cycle 1]
SAMON Mat
Apr 19 - May 18, 2002
FQ Apr 20 (52)
DVMAN Anm
May 19 - Jun 16, 2002
FQ May 19 (49)
RIVROS Mat
Jun 17 - Jul 16, 2002
FQ Jun 17 (47)
ANAGAN Anm
Jul 17 - Aug 14, 2002
FQ Jul 16 (45)
OGRON Mat
Aug 15 - Sep 13, 2002
FQ Aug 15 (53)
CVTIOS Mat
Sep 14 - Oct 13, 2002
FQ Sep 13 (50)
II. Winter Series of Months
GIAMON Anm
Oct 14 - Nov 11, 2002
FQ Oct 13 (55)
SIMIVIS Mat
Nov 12 - Dec 11, 2002
FQ Nov 11 (49)
EQVOS Anm(30)
Dec 12 - Jan 10, 2003
FQ Dec 11 (51)
ELEMBIV Anm
Jan 11 - Feb 8, 2003
FQ Jan 10 (52)
EDRINI Mat
Feb 9 - Mar 10, 2003
FQ Feb 9 (52)
CANTLOS Anm
Mar 11 - Apr 8, 2003
FQ Mar 10 (44)
2008
Year Two of Cycle 2
I. Summer Series of Months
SAMON Mat
Apr 13 - May 12, 2008
FQ Apr 12 (49)
DVMAN Anm
May 13 - Jun 10, 2008
FQ May 11 (45)
RIVROS Mat
Jun 11 - Jul 10, 2008
FQ Jun 10 (51)
ANAGAN Anm
Jul 11 - Aug 8, 2008
FQ Jul 9 (45)
OGRON Mat
Aug 9 - Sep 7, 2008
FQ Aug 8 (49)
CVTIOS Mat
Sep 8 - Oct 7, 2008
FQ Sep 7 (51)
II. Winter Series of Months
GIAMON Anm
Oct 8 - Nov 5, 2008
FQ Oct 7 (53)
SEMIVIS Mat
Nov 6 - Dec 5, 2008
FQ Nov 5 (46)
EQVOS Anm29
Dec 6 - Jan 3, 2009
FQ Dec 5 (48)
ELEMBIV Anm
Jan 4 - Feb 1, 2009
FQ Jan 4 (52)
EDRINI Mat
Feb 2 - Mar 3, 2009
FQ Feb 2 (47)
CANTLOS Anm
Mar 4 - Apr 1, 2009
FQ Mar 4 (55)
2003
Year Two of Cycle 1
I. Summer Series of Months
SAMON Mat
Apr 9 - May 8, 2003
FQ Apr 9 (47)
DVMAN Anm
May 9 - Jun 6, 2003
FQ May 9 (52)
RIVROS Mat
Jun 7 - Jul 6, 2003
FQ Jun 7 (49)
ANAGAN Anm
Jul 7 - Aug 4, 2003
FQ Jul 6 (46)
OGRON Mat
Aug 5 - Sep 3, 2003
FQ Aug 4 (43)
CVTIOS Mat
Sep 4 - Oct 3, 2003
FQ Sep 3 (52)
II. Winter Series of Months
GIAMON Anm
Oct 4 - Nov 1, 2003
FQ Oct 2 (49)
SIMIVIS Mat
Nov 2 - Dec 1, 2003
FQ Oct 31 (45)
EQVOS Anm(29)
Dec 2 - Dec 30, 2003
FQ Nov 30 (50)
ELEMBIV Anm
Dec 31 - Jan 28, 2004
FQ Dec 30 (50)
EDRINI Mat
Jan 29 - Feb 27, 2004
FQ Jan 28 (45)
CANTLOS Anm
Feb 28 - Mar 27, 2004
FQ Feb 27 (46)
2009
Year Three of Cycle 2
I. Summer Series of Months
SAMON Mat
Apr 2 - May 1, 2009
FQ Apr 2 (51)
DVMAN Anm
May 2 - May 30, 2009
FQ May 1 (48)
RIVROS Mat
May 31 - Jun 29, 2009
FQ May 30 (45)
ANAGAN Anm
Jun 30 - Jul 28, 2009
FQ Jun 29 (53)
OGRON Mat
Jul 29 - Aug 27, 2009
FQ Jul 28 (48)
CVTIOS Mat
Aug 28 - Sep 26, 2009
FQ Aug 27 (52)
II. Winter Series of Months
CIALLOS (Intercal) Mat
Sep 27 - Oct 26, 2009
FQ Sep 26 (55)
GIAMON Anm
Oct 27 - Nov 24, 2009
FQ Oct 25 (47)
SEMIVIS Mat
Nov 25 - Dec 24, 2009
FQ Nov 24 (48)
EQVOS Anm29
Dec 25 - Jan 22, 2010
FQ Dec 24 (50)
ELEMBIV Anm
Jan 23 - Feb 20, 2010
FQ Jan 23 (53)
EDRINI Mat
Feb 21 - Mar 22, 2010
FQ Feb 21 (47)
CANTLOS Anm
Mar 23 - Apr 20, 2010
FQ Mar 23 (53)
2004
Year Three of Cycle 1
I. Summer Series of Months
SAMON Mat
Mar 28 - Apr 26, 2004
FQ Mar 28 (47)
DVMAN Anm
Apr 27 - May 25, 2004
FQ Apr 27 (50)
RIVROS Mat
May 26 - Jun 24, 2004
FQ May 26 (44)
ANAGAN Anm
Jun 25 - Jul 23, 2004
FQ Jun 25 (49)
OGRON Mat
Jul 24 - Aug 22, 2004
FQ Jul 24 (45)
CVTIOS Mat
Aug 23 - Sep 21, 2004
FQ Aug 23 (53)
II. Winter Series of Months
CIALLOS (Intercal) Mat
Sep 22 - Oct 21, 2004
FQ Sep 21 (51)
GIAMON Anm
Oct 22 - Nov 19, 2004
FQ Oct 20 (48)
SIMIVIS Mat
Nov 20 - Dec 19, 2004
FQ Nov 19 (55)
EQVOS Anm(29)
Dec 20 - Jan 17, 2005
FQ Dec 18 (50)
ELEMBIV Anm
Jan 18 - Feb 15, 2005
FQ Jan 17 (54)
EDRINI Mat
Feb 16 - Mar 17, 2005
FQ Feb 15 (47)
CANTLOS Anm
Mar 18 - Apr 15, 2005
FQ Mar 17 (49)
2010
Year Four of Cycle 2
I. Summer Series of Months
SAMON Mat
Apr 21 - May 20, 2010
FQ Apr 21 (50)
DVMAN Anm
May 21 - Jun 18, 2010
FQ May 20 (47)
RIVROS Mat
Jun 19 - Jul 18, 2010
FQ Jun 18 (45)
ANAGAN Anm
Jul 19 - Aug 16, 2010
FQ Jul 18 (53)
OGRON Mat
Aug 17 - Sep 15, 2010
FQ Aug 16 (50)
CVTIOS Mat
Sep 16 - Oct 15, 2010
FQ Sep 15 (55)
II. Winter Series of Months
GIAMON Anm
Oct 16 - Nov 13, 2010
FQ Oct 14 (48)
SEMIVIS Mat
Nov 14 - Dec 13, 2010
FQ Nov 13 (50)
EQVOS Anm29
Dec 14 - Jan 11, 2011
FQ Dec 13 (51)
ELEMBIV Anm
Jan 12 - Feb 9, 2011
FQ Jan 12 (52)
EDRINI Mat
Feb 10 - Mar 11, 2011
FQ Feb 10 (44)
CANTLOS Anm
Mar 12 - Apr 9, 2011
FQ Mar 12 (47)
2005
Year Four of Cycle 1
I. Summer Series of Months
SAMON Mat
Apr 16 - May 15, 2005
FQ Apr 16 (51)
DVMAN Anm
May 16 - Jun 13, 2005
FQ May 15 (44)
RIVROS Mat
Jun 14 - Jul 13, 2005
FQ Jun 14 (47)
ANAGAN Anm
Jul 14 - Aug 11, 2005
FQ Jul 14 (51)
OGRON Mat
Aug 12 - Sep 10, 2005
FQ Aug 12 (46)
CVTIOS Mat
Sep 11 - Oct 10, 2005
FQ Sep 11 (53)
II. Winter Series of Months
GIAMON Anm
Oct 11 - Nov 8, 2005
FQ Oct 10 (49)
SIMIVIS Mat
Nov 9 - Dec 8, 2005
FQ Nov 8 (46)
EQVOS Anm(29)
Dec 9 - Jan 6, 2006
FQ Dec 8 (54)
ELEMBIV Anm
Jan 7 - Feb 4, 2006
FQ Jan 6 (49)
EDRINI Mat
Feb 5 - Mar 6, 2006
FQ Feb 4 (44)
CANTLOS Anm
Mar 7 - Apr 4, 2006
FQ Mar 6 (49)
2011
Year Five of Cycle 2
I. Summer Series of Months
SAMON Mat
Apr 10 - May 9, 2011
FQ Apr 11 (52)
DVMAN Anm
May 10 - Jun 7, 2011
FQ May 10 (49)
RIVROS Mat
Jun 8 - Jul 7, 2011
FQ Jun 8 (46)
ANAGAN Anm
Jul 8 - Aug 5, 2011
FQ Jul 8 (55)
OGRON Mat
Aug 6 - Sep 4, 2011
FQ Aug 6 (53)
CVTIOS Mat
Sep 5 - Oct 4, 2011
FQ Sep 4 (50)
II. Winter Series of Months
GIAMON Anm
Oct 5 - Nov 2, 2011
FQ Oct 3 (46)
SIMIVIS Mat
Nov 3 - Dec 2, 2011
FQ Nov 2 (50)
EQVOS Anm30
Dec 3 - Jan 1, 2012
FQ Dec 2 (53)
ELEMBIV Anm
Jan 2 - Jan 30, 2012
FQ Jan 1 (54)
EDRINI Mat
Jan 31 - Feb 29, 2012
FQ Jan 31 (55)
CANTLOS Anm
Mar 1 - Mar 30, 2012
FQ Feb 29 (47)
2006
Year Five of Cycle 1
I. Summer Series of Months
SAMON Mat
Apr 5 - May 4, 2006
FQ Apr 5 (52)
DVMAN Anm
May 5 - Jun 2, 2006
FQ May 4 (44)
RIVROS Mat
Jun 3 - Jul 2, 2006
FQ Jun 3 (48)
ANAGAN Anm
Jul 3 - Jul 31, 2006
FQ Jul 3 (50)
OGRON Mat
Aug 1 - Aug 30, 2006
FQ Aug 2 (54)
CVTIOS Mat
Aug 31 - Sep 29, 2006
FQ Aug 31 (48)
II. Winter Series of Months
GIAMON Anm
Sep 30 - Oct 28, 2006
FQ Sep 30 (53)
SIMIVIS Mat
Oct 29 - Nov 27, 2006
FQ Oct 29 (48)
EQVOS Anm(30)
Nov 28 - Dec 27, 2006
FQ Nov 27 (44)
ELEMBIV Anm
Dec 28 - Jan 25, 2007
FQ Dec 27 (51)
EDRINI Mat
Jan 26 - Feb 24, 2007
FQ Jan 25 (47)
CANTLOS Anm
Feb 25 - Mar 25, 2007
FQ Feb 24 (54)
In his 'The Face of the Moon' written after the eclipse of AD75, Plutarch recorded a festival among the Celts every thirty-years when Cronus (Saturn) entered the sign of Taurus: this is the time of the Celtic 30 year Age, also recorded by Pliny the Elder, in his 'Natural History', written from AD52-79. Saturn's thirty-year cycle in the skies most recently brought it back to the constellation of Taurus in 2002, enabling us to discover the current cycle.
To mark this event, presented here are some images of this astronomical event.
Here is a wonderful photo of Saturn entering Taurus and in close proximity to Aldebaran taken on January 18, 2002 - two millennia after Plutarch recorded the thirty-year Celtic festival, we can look to the skies to see what our ancient Celtic forebears saw!
Saturn is the bright planet, top left, and Aldebaran is the bright star lower left, and the Pleiades cluster is to the right.
Harvard University Gazette in its April 18, 2002 issue also marked the event. There, an image is presented showing the evening sky in April 2002, setting soon after the sun. Later that year in June, the heliacal rise of the constellation Taurus saw the planets rising with Aldebaran and the Pleiades star cluster, shown in Cybersky screensot above: in ancient times, the heliacal rise of Aldebaran occurred in May, from which the Beltaine festival arose in post-Romanisation times.
[Credit and Copyright belong to Joe Orman: source: http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap020118.html]
The NASA website "Breathtaking Saturn", at: http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2002/13dec_saturn.htm reported:
December 13, 2002: Thirty years ago, Earth and Saturn had an extraordinary close encounter. The ringed planet was only 1.2 billion km from Earth--about as close as it can get--and its rings were tipped toward us. The view through a telescope was simply breathtaking. Next week it's going to happen again. "On Dec. 17th, Saturn and Earth will be unusually close together--about the same as thirty years ago," says NASA astronomer Mitzi Adams.
Above: Photographer Ed Grafton captured this image of Saturn from Houston, Texas, on Dec. 11, 2002. He used a 14-inch telescope and a CCD camera.
April 19, 2002 using the Gregorian Calendar of today, is the first day of Samon using the ancient Celtic calendar system. This date is therefore able to be identified as the beginning of a new Celtic thirty year Age.
© Caer Australis 2006 - 2009 PO Box 439 Maylands WA 6931 Australia
Celtic Calendar
Introduction - the Rule The Month names The Fire feast months Southern Hemisphere The Ancient sourcesCeltic Year 2009/10
Year 3 has an early start and an intercalary midway - see the Five Year Cycle at end.