The Celtic Year - Oak Moon

The Ogham alphabet is an ancient Celtic Druidic alphabet consisting of Ogham rune characters. These runes have been found on isolated monoliths which date as far back as 4,500 B.C.E., earlier than most written records and histories found to date, other than the pictography writings of pre-dynastic Egypt (5,500 B.C.E.)

During that time period history was primarily handed down orally and the Ogham alphabet was also used as a hand alphabet or signal for silent communication at fairly close distances. Fingers of either hand were used along with the bridge of the nose which acted as the center or dividing line.

Ogham alphabet characters or runes are composed of 13 consonants, each of which represent a specific Moon month and its sacred tree. In addition, there are 5 vowel trees - A,O,U,E and I - which separate the year into respective seasons; Rebirth, Spring, Summer, Autumn and Death. The extra day of the year following the Winter Solstice, was represented by mistletoe and the letter "double I" (Y or J). June 11 - July 8 is The Oak (Duir) Moon

The Celtic word for Oak is "Duir" and the name "Druid" comes from a combination of the word "Duir" and the word "wyd" which means "to know." In Celtic countries the Druids often worshiped in sacred Oak groves as the celestial Oak also symbolized the god or male principle.

The Oak Moon is the seventh Moon, also known as The Moon of Strength and is associated with the Summer Solstice (in the Northern hemisphere) and the Winter Solstice (in the Southern hemisphere). This Moon is dedicated to Janus, the two-faced god, for in his maturity the Oak King looks in both directions of the year at once, as does the Sun. The word for Oak also means "door" in many languages and this Moon is known as the hinge of the year.

You can celebrate this Oak Moon by recognizing the sacred male and female within yourself, for all of us are children of both the Sun and Moon. We are both strong and steadfast like the door itself, yet we can open and close with the help of our hinges.

To learn more about the mysteries of Celtic Tree Magic I recommend the book "Year of Moons, Season of Trees" by Pattalee Glass-Koentop.

The first image pictured above is from my Celtic Tree Wisdom deck (coming soon) which consists of 18 oracle cards. Find all my hand painted oracle decks here.

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Soul Readings + Astrology can help

About Kathy Crabbe

I believe in dreams, creativity AND inspiring my peeps to awaken intuition and joy, no matter what. As a practicing astrologer + artist since 1993 I’ve learned a thing or two and I’d love to share it with you!

With Luv and Sparkly Blessings,
Kathy Crabbe, (Dec. 24, 2018)
Photo Credit: Chad Woodward

Wearable Art Oak Necklaces

My Oak Necklaces are hand painted on California oak slices collected from my property in Southern California. They are one-of-a-kind, original paintings that are varnished, hand signed and dated.

These are unique and lovely little ornaments and a magickal piece of wearable art jewelry and wall art.

All art is original, hand drawn, hand painted, varnished and hand signed and dated on the back and no two pieces are ever the same.

Your ornament, wall art, necklace is packaged with tissue to keep it safe.

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All Kathy Crabbe’s wood slice pieces are ethically hand foraged from her property in Southern California and created entirely by hand. No stencils were used and all art is original.

The Celtic Year - Hawthorn Moon

The Celtic year is divided into 13 lunar months, each represented by a sacred tree. The Hawthorn Moon month occurs from May 13 to June 10.

The Druids of ancient Celtic Britain invented a rune alphabet called the "Ogham alphabet" which was composed of 13 consonants taken from the letter names of the 13 sacred trees that represented the 13 lunar months. There are also 5 vowel trees that separate the year into it's respective seasons along with a 19th tree for the extra day of the year following the Winter Solstice.

The Hawthorn Tree represents the sixth lunar month, also known as “The Tree of Purification" and “The Moon of Restraint." This moon is dedicated to Thoth and the winged goddess, Isis.The energies of this moon can help you clarify your focus and intentions. It can also help you clear away spiritual and physical deadwood, along with old habits. This is a good time for cleaning and chastity, in preparation for mid-summer celebrations. This lunar tree has the power to open what is closed away, and to conceal what is open. She is the “Keeper of the Four Winds" as she looks both forward and backward in time, is sacred to the fairies, and is the benefactress of craftspeople.

About Kathy Crabbe: Soul Reader & Artist

I painted Celtic tree Goddess images on silk that I laminated and made into a hand lettered, one-of-a-kind book titled "The Celtic Tree Year." I have also created an oracle deck from these paintings (almost 12 years later which I hope to publish one day) and I use these oracle cards in giving soul readings.

How To Get Ready For Your Soul Reading

Here are a few suggestions to help you prepare for your reading so that you can have the best experience possible.

Be Prepared

The clearer your questions are, the clearer my responses will be and I would definitely advise you to check out my areas of specialty beforehand. If one or more of these tools or techniques appeals to you please let me know. Also, be sure and take a look at these soul reading samples to see if my style of reading fits your needs. I want to make sure we’re a good fit before we begin. Most people find the experience of getting a reading to be fun, inspirational and healing.

Plan on receiving an excellent reading

If this is your first reading, or you're feeling unsure or skeptical please try and keep an open mind so that the reading can take effect, both consciously and subconsciously, in direct and subtle ways. After a few days, you can question and analyze your reading from a more intellectual point of view.

Keep an open mind and heart

Sometimes a client can be so resistant to an answer that they didn’t want to hear, such as, “Is this person my soulmate and will I be with them forever?” that they will not benefit from the overall message of the reading. Over time, the big picture will start to become more clear and you may discover that you already have your answer.

Will I be able to ask questions about past, present and future issues?

Yes you can, but my readings are also intended to be therapeutic and healing based. If you are looking for more of a 'fortune teller' or ‘entertainment style’ reading I can always direct you towards someone else. Ultimately the goal of a soul reading is to encourage you to go more deeply within yourself, so that you can begin making the changes necessary to lead a fulfilling and exceptional life.

How do you read cards if the client isn't handling them?

I don't read cards like a tarot reader does. I use the cards as a visual affirmation to confirm the insights I receive during the reading and I don't look at the cards until after the reading is finished. During the reading, I hold my hand over the card to sense it's energy and this usually confirms what I'm picking up about that person's situation/question/issue during the reading. (See the photo below.)

The artwork (I only work with oracle cards of my own creation) is meant to expand the reading into the visual realms, because I find that people resonate with artistic beauty on a whole different level than the written word. Because I have always been an artist I truly and deeply believe in the healing power of art.

The real work has just begun

During a reading you will often receive confirmation about something that you already know and this is wonderful, because it's Spirit’s way of giving you the thumbs up. Sometimes you will receive information that may throw you for a loop, and in that case it's best to give it some time. Very often clients will write to me a month later telling me that their reading finally makes sense. But information alone is not the sole purpose of my readings. My intuitive skills are just a diving board, and a preparation, encouraging you to take the plunge so that you can delve more deeply into the heart of things. Once you are aware of what you are dealing with, you can then move forward and actually do something about it.

How to book your reading

You can book your reading from my website, www.KathyCrabbe.com or, if you would prefer to email me directly with your credit card information that is fine too, we can do it in several emails for security purposes, or over the phone, if necessary.

You can read what my clients are saying about their readings here.

You can also read over 370 feedback responses to my readings in my Etsy Shop.

The Celtic Year - Ash Moon

The Celtic year is divided into thirteen lunar months, each represented by a sacred tree. The Ash Moon month occurs from February 19th to March 19th.

The Druids of ancient Celtic Britain invented a rune alphabet called the "ogham alphabet" which was composed of 13 consonants taken from the letter names of the 13 sacred trees that represented the 13 lunar months. There are also 5 vowel trees that separate the year into it's respective seasons along with a 19th tree for the extra day of the year following the Winter Solstice.

The Ash Tree is the sacred tree representing the third lunar Moon, the "Moon of Floods" and is associated with the Spring Equinox. The Ash is sacred to Poseidon, god of the sea and the Ash affirmation is, “I am a wind on the sea.” It is an oracular tree associated with thunderstorms and lightening and has many versatile uses. It has been used to make Druidic wands, for rain making ceremonies, for coracle-slats (a coracle is a small rounded boat made of hides stretched over a wicker frame still used in some parts of Great Britain today), for making king’s thrones, and for the shafts of weapons and spears. It is also one of the best woods for making a fire.

Working with the emotional and watery energies of the Ash moon can lead to self wisdom. It’s healing secret is, “From the viper’s poison comes the tonic of life.” The emotional turmoil that accompanies this Moon can teach us a great deal about our inner self so that we can express who we are more honestly.

I painted all my Celtic tree Goddess images on silk that I laminated and made into a hand lettered, one-of-a-kind book titled "The Celtic Tree Year." I have also created an oracle deck from these paintings (almost 12 years later) and am using these oracle cards in my soul readings.

To read more Celtic Tree Year posts please click here.

Get ready for Winter Solstice

Are you getting prepared for the deepest and most reflective time of the entire year? Or are you sweating the small stuff; christmas shopping, too much santa cheer, gifts gone crazy, egg nog overdose, shopping mall burn out, overly eager relatives, the holiday crunch?

The New Year IS NOT January 1st! The new year occurs at the Spring Equinox - approximately March 21st every year. That is when the Sun enters zero degrees Aries according to geocentric astrology. "The Gregorian Calender abuses our sensibilities!" (quote by Barbara Hand Clow.)

December 21st to March 21st is the last quarter of the year and it is our completion time. The days surrounding the Winter Solstice, when the Sun moves into zero degrees Capricorn are the most magical and mystical time of the year. Meditation, long walks and deep contemplation are in order. The Sun will go through the signs of Capricorn, Aquarius, and Pisces until the Spring Equinox next March. Let your body, mind and soul deepen and reflect upon all that you have learned in the past nine months from the previous Spring Equinox to the current Winter Solstice.

CHILLIN:

Get ready to chill, enjoy the vibe, tune in, drop out, hibernate and stoke that fire of wisdom that lies burning in the very depths of your soul - you won't regret it.

Try and set aside a chunk of time to meditate, dream or contemplate at the exact moment (which may be a little difficult this year!) when the Winter Solstice occurs - this year it happens on December 21, Monday, - the Sun enters Capricorn at exactly 4:04 am PST.

Be prepared: bring along a summary of your accomplishments, trials and tribulations, resolutions and any questions you might have.

SOME QUESTIONS you might ask yourself:

What have I learned since the last Spring Equinox?
What values have informed my work and my life?
What has changed for me this year?
What challenges have I faced?
How have I been of service?
How better can I assist Mother Earth and her creatures?
What do I need to let go of?
What am I most proud of?
What am I least proud of?
What can I work on improving?
What seeds can I get ready to plant for the Spring Equinox based on what has and has not worked for me over the past 9 months?

MULLING SPICES:

Now is the time to mull over these thoughts and ponder the really big questions in preparation for the spring ahead when new seeds, new thoughts, new actions can be instated.

SWEET ELIXIR:

When the light returns once more at Winter Solstice, prepare to catch a spark, a glimpse, a revelation of soul and spirit so that when the true New Year occurs you will be ready to share your soul's wisdom with the world.

I use the We'Moon Datebook for all my astrology times and dates.

The artwork pictured above is titled "The Elder Moon" and is from my druidic tree alphabet book titled "The Celtic Tree Year" - I laminated my original silk paintings and wrote out the text on parchment.
More of my art can be viewed here at LuLu Design

I would love to hear from you about what makes a Solstice special or memorable for you - do you have any special memories or experiences to share?