Introduction The ancient Celtic ritual calendar and zodiac of thirteen lunar months was associated with thirteen sacred trees, and these tree signs form the basis for the astrological system used in this kit. Each tree has its own dryad or tree spirit which, according to the Druids, was created by the first rays of the Sun that reached Earth -- long before human beings appeared, they represent the spiritual nature of the human character -- an integral port of the human psyche that is not primarily addressed in Sun-sign astrology.
In astrology, the Moon is a symbol of the unconscious mind and it is a dimension of ourselves that Western-based astrological systems have tended to disregard, with just a cursory nod to the 'irrational' influences of the Moon. The lunar dimension of the Celtic zodiac contains the residual influences of post lives (reflecting the Druidic belief in reincarnation) and all the hidden agendas of which the conscious mind is largely unaware, but which are retained in what is known as our Shadow self. While this is the dimension of the mind that this kit addresses, it takes full account of both the Sun and Moon -- or the conscious and unconscious mind -- and thus forms a truly cohesive system, with a corresponding increase in accuracy. Why, then, did Celtic astrology fall into disuse?
A brief history
When the Romans conquered Europe and a large part of Britain, they destroyed many of the Druidic centres of learning in o concerted effort to establish their own authoritarian regime. As part of this process they imported their own zodiac derived from the Greek version. Hence the Graeco-Roman zodiac become the accepted format of astrology throughout europe. Celtic beliefs, however, remained deeply embedded in the psyche of the people, or what dung referred to as the 'collective unconscious'. Having been passed down through the centuries by word of mouth, they were eventually recorded in ancient manuscripts by celtic Christian monks, who were in essence latter-day Druids and Bards. Druidic cosmology and the related philosophies are also to be found in numerous Celtic myths and poems published in the books recorded in the Bibliography and Further reading (see Book Two page 175).
Hidden wisdom
The unconscious, or abstract, mind 'thinks' in the language of mythological symbols, which is why mythology emerges as today's psychology. In nearly all ancient myths both the Moon and earth were identified with primeval goddesses, and their relationship with each other forms an integrated and transforming aspect of the psyche. A lunar eclipse; for example, occurs at the time of the Full Moon when the shadow of the earth slowly creeps across the face of the Moon; according to the lunar mysteries of the Druids, the Moon's own dark shadow or polarity guards a source of hidden wisdom, lndeed, this 'hidden agenda' is the key to your future growth. My interpretations of tim Shadow self and the hidden agenda are drawn from this premise in relationship to the solstices, equinoxes and Celtic Fire Festivals.
The alternation of day and night, or light and darkness, had profound meaning for the Celts; it formed the pivotal duality of life and death. Hence their ritual lunar calendar and zodiac marks the changing light in the sky with the spiralling passage of the Sun moving in unison through the cyclic phases of the Moon. A fundamental spiritual comparison con be made with the Brahmin beliefs that provide the source of Vedic karmic astrology known as 'Jyotish', the science Of light.
About this kit
This kit has been specially designed to enable you to cast a detailed horoscope without having to worry about the complex astrological calculations or even having a basic knowledge of astrology. The lunar dimension of this system reveals great insight into your whole psyche and provides a mare accurate and fascinating character analysis than the more familiar Sun-based system alone.
The kit consists of this introductory book, which includes a Tables of Years section giving planetary positions for every day and year from 1920-2019, plus a Lunar Zodiac Wheel, a book of Lunar Horoscope Readings, a notepad for easy reference and a chinagraph pencil with which to write on the wheel, everything you need is at your fingertips, so now you can turn to the next page and begin.
Copyright © 1999 by Helena Paterson
How to cast a lunar horoscope
First of all, work through the directions for the sample chart that follows; you will then discover just how easy it is in practice. You will also begin to understand more about the working system of Celtic astrology. The simple step-by-step process only takes around fifteen minutes, and you will soon be confident enough to cast horoscopes quickly and efficiently for yourself and others.
1 The sample horoscope we are going to cost is my own, and my birth date is 31 May 1945. Turn first to page 9 where you will find the dates of the thirteen tree signs, together with their lunar symbols and planetary rulers. You will see that I was born under the Hawthorn, whose lunar symbol is the Silver Chalice, and planetary ruler is vulcan. Record these facts in the notepad as shown below (Note: you will only be able to write in your lunar position when you hove worked through step 2).
These are the personal references for:
Name Helena Paterson
Date of Birth 31 May 1945
Tree Sign Hawthorn
Lunar Symbol Silver Chalice
Lunar Position Aquarius
Planetary Ruler Vulcan
Then turn to the Tables of years beginning on page 12 in this book, and find the page for 1945 (this year is also shown on page 12 as an example). In the horizontal column are the months of the year; find May and run down this column until you come to the date. You will see there are ten numbers in two rows. Write them down exactly as they are listed under the corresponding planetary abbreviations in the space provided on the notepad as shown below.
2 Now look at the Lunar Zodiac Wheel. You will see that it is divided into thirty-six numbered spaces, or decans. These correspond to the numbers you have just written on your notepad. Beginning with number 7 (under 'S' for Sun) write 'S' in space 7 of the wheel, then write 'Mn' (for Moon) in space 31. Now look at the wheel and you will see that the position of the Moon is placed in the degrees of Aquarius. Write this on your notepad to complete the information necessary to obtain your Basic Paragraph, which forms the basis of your lunar horoscope reading in Book Two. It also represents the connecting link operating between the solar and lunar zodiacs, then continue to write in all the planetary positions around the wheel using the special pen provided (see wheel on page 9). The horoscope wheel is now set up.
3 The Basic Paragraph reference numbers are found in the table on page 10, and are listed in Book Two under the tree signs. Find Hawthorn in the left-hand column of the table (solar position) and read across until you come to the column containing Aquarius (lunar position). The Basic paragraph number is 71. You will find that the Hawthorn is on page 62 in Book Two, and begins with the Celtic mythology associated with the lunar symbol. Read this first, and then go on to read the following text on the Hawthorn tree character, which provides o fundamental 'missing' part of lunar character analysis that is fully integrated with the Sun's position. The Basic paragraph is then extended through the position of the Moon (paragraph 71 -- Moon in Aquarius) for greater depth and with reference to the Shadow self, a lunar dimension that provides an insight into past lives and the hidden potential which is summarized under the heading Hidden agenda.
4 If you now turn to the Table of conjunctions and aspects on page 11 in this book, you will see the Sun and Moon and eight planets are all presented in various combinations. Each of the conjunctions is listed with a number which corresponds to a paragraph in Book Two. In the sample horoscope already set up on the wheel (see page 9), you will see that Venus and Mars form a conjunction, which means that they are in the same space, number 3. Under the Table of conjunctions and aspects, the reference number of this conjunction is number 212. Write this number in your notepad under Conjunctions.
Note
When casting other horoscopes you may discover that there are more than two planets in the same space. If, for example, Mercury, Venus and Mars are occupying the same space, write down the three combinations (i.e. Mer/Ven, Mer/Mars, Ven/Mars) and read all the related interpretations in Book Two.
5 We have now reached the final stage for casting a horoscope. Hold the Lunar Zodiac Wheel firmly in your right hand, then turn the inner wheel with your thumb grip on the left side. You will see that the smaller inner wheel contains four triangles and three squares. Triangles relate to trines and sextiles, or positive planetary influences, and squares relate to squares and oppositions which, though termed negative planetary influences, reflect important learning areas in your life. First, point the arrow to the Moon (in the sample horoscope the Moon is in space 31) and note where the triangles and squares are positioned. You will see a triangle pointing to the Sun (space 7), a triangle pointing to Neptune (space 19) and a square pointing to pluto (space 13). Then, once again, consult the Table of conjunctions and aspects (see page 11) and find the relevant numbers, which are listed as 258, 170, and 268 respectively.
Complete this process by turning the arrow to line up with each of the planets in turn, recording in the notepad all the relevant aspect numbers, as shown below. These numbers all indicate interpretive paragraphs in Book Two.
Basic Paragraph 71
Conjunctions 212...
