What is my Birth Tree? A Beginner’s Guide to Celtic Birth Trees and Symbols
Trees have a potent, natural magic that draws us to them, a subtle energy that gently holds and steadies us, even in this fast-paced digital world. From paintings and sculptures to music and poetry, trees have been celebrated for their beauty, symbolism, and their connection to the earth. They are an enduring source of inspiration and creativity for my jewellery collections and nature-inspired designs.
In many traditional cultures across the world, trees represent the cycle of life and death, as well as the interconnectedness of all living things. One fascinating aspect of this symbolism can be seen in the practice of connecting certain species of trees to precise points of the year.
Known as Birth Trees, these seasonal connections are deeply rooted in the druidic culture, a pre-Christian spiritual and religious movement that emerged in Western Europe during the Iron Age.
“The trees are coming into leaf
Like something almost being said;
The recent buds relax and spread,
Their greenness is a kind of grief.
Is it that they are born again
And we grow old? No, they die too,
Their yearly trick of looking new
Is written down in rings of grain.
Yet still the unresting castles thresh
In full grown thickness every May.
Last year is dead, they seem to say,
Begin afresh, afresh, afresh.”
What is a birth tree?
Birth trees are beautiful, ancient emblems of the everlasting relationship between humans and trees. Each month is related to a specific tree which connects to anyone born at that point in the year. The practice of celebrating and acknowledging birth trees comes from the Celtic tree calendar, which aligns a tree to each of us, based on our birth date.
Druids were known for their deep connection to nature and their use of plants and trees in their spiritual practices. They believed that the time of a person’s birth played an integral part in the formation of their personality and that they would go on to develop certain characteristics connected to specific tree species.
Interestingly, the Celtic tree calendar has not twelve, but thirteen trees of the year. This is because it follows the lunar cycle of the moon. The lunar cycle outlines thirteen lunar months within a year, which do not align with the Julian or Gregorian calendars that govern our lives today.
What is my birth tree and what does it symbolise?
Each tree in the calendar has its own unique symbolism and is believed to have particular qualities and energies that can influence our lives.
Find your birth tree below in this simple month by month guide to birth trees and see if you can relate to the unique features and traits of your tree.
January Birth Tree
The Rowan Tree : January 22 - February 18
The Rowan tree is associated with guardianship, healing, and divination. People born under this tree are said to be highly intuitive, perceptive, and sensitive. They are also known for their creativity, courage, strength, and ability to overcome obstacles.
February Birth Tree
The Ash Tree: February 18 – March 17
The Ash tree is associated with strength, resilience, and protection. People born under this tree are said to be highly creative, imaginative, and intuitive. They are also known for their strong sense of spirituality, gentle leadership skills and ability to inspire others.
March Birth Tree
The Alder Tree: March 18 – April 14
The Alder tree is associated with bravery, self-confidence, and spiritual growth. People born under this tree are said to be highly independent, courageous, and self-motivated. They are also known for their charm, ability to adapt to new situations and their strong sense of purpose and inner confidence.
April Birth Tree
The Willow Tree: April 15 – May 12
The Willow tree is associated with intuition, emotions, and healing. With a connection to the water element, people born under this tree are said to be highly sensitive, empathetic, and nurturing. They are also known for their ability to connect with others on a deep level and their strong intuition.
May Birth Tree
The Hawthorn Tree: May 13 – June 9
The Hawthorn tree is associated with love, fertility, and protection. People born under this tree are said to be highly creative, curious, passionate, and romantic. They are also known for their strong sense of loyalty and devotion, as well as a reputation for being empathetic listeners.
June Birth Tree
The Oak Tree: June 10 – July 7
The Oak tree is associated with strength, stability, and endurance. People born under this tree are said to be highly resilient, determined, and hard-working. They are also known for their strong sense of justice and their ability to inspire others, as well as a natural curiosity for history and ancestry.
July Birth Tree
The Holly Tree: July 8 – August 4
The Holly tree is associated with protection, clarity, and strength. People born under this tree are said to be highly energetic, enthusiastic, and confident. Holly signs often take on leadership roles and positions of power. They are also known for their strong sense of purpose and their ability to overcome challenges.
August Birth Tree
The Hazel Tree: August 5 – September 1
The Hazel tree is associated with wisdom, intuition, and divination. People born under this tree are said to be highly intuitive, insightful, and wise. They are also known for their ability to see the bigger picture and their strong sense of purpose, as well a natural gift for numbers, sciences and analytical subjects.
September Birth Tree
The Vine: September 2 – September 29
The Vine tree is associated with abundance, joy, and fertility. People born under this tree are said to be highly charismatic, charming, and sociable. They are also known for their ability to bring people together and their love of celebration, combined with a sometimes unpredictable and spontaneous nature.
October Birth Tree
The Ivy: September 30 – October 27
The Ivy tree is associated with transformation, growth, and protection. People born under this tree are said to be highly resilient, adaptable, and resourceful. They are also known for their strong sense of independence and their ability to navigate change and turbulent times. Often quiet by nature, they have a keen wit and charming manner.
November Birth Tree
The Reed: October 28 – November 24
The Reed tree is associated with adaptability, flexibility, and protection. People born under this tree are said to be highly resourceful truth seekers, adaptable, and resilient. They are also known for their keen abilites to think on their feet, keep confidences and go through life with a strong sense of purpose.
December Birth Tree
The Elder Tree: November 25 – December 23
The Elder tree is associated with rebirth, renewal, and protection. People born under this tree are said to be highly intuitive, wise, and compassionate. They are also known for their freedom seeking ways, their ability to heal and their strong connection to the natural world.
New Year Birth Tree
The Birch Tree: December 24 – January 21
The Birch tree is associated with new beginnings, growth, and purification. People born under this tree are said to be ambitious, natural leaders with a reputation for being highly driven and motivated. They are also known for their adaptability, quick wit and inner resourcefulness.
Venture into the woods with The Woodland Collection from Alice Stewart Jewellery
Birth Trees are a powerful symbol of the intricate relationship between humans and the natural world, and a reminder of the importance of living in harmony with nature, a practice which is woven deeply through all the pieces I create here at Alice Stewart Jewellery.
The Woodland jewellery collection celebrates our profound bond with forests and trees and captures the magical alchemy and wonder of this relationship, it includes an enchanting range of jewellery inspired by British woodland treasures.
From the slender, silver birch tree to the mighty, ancient oak - you will find delicate earrings, necklaces and rings originally hand carved by me to capture the subtle simplicity of our beautiful trees and woodlands and the magic that can be found there. All of the Woodland jewellery collection is available in either gold or sterling silver.
