This completes my WAY late A t Z 2024 challenge. Thank you to those that came back to finish it with me.

When we think of zodiacs, our minds often drift to star signs and celestial bodies, but in the realm of Celtic mythology, the concept of zodiacs takes on a deeply rooted, earth-bound twist. The Celts, ever connected to nature and the rhythms of the world around them, developed their own system of animal zodiacs, each linked to specific traits, seasons, and the natural world. These signs weren’t tied to the stars, but to the animals, trees, and elements that formed the backbone of their culture and spirituality.

Celtic zodiacs are based on the Druidic belief system, where animals represent the cycles of life and the characteristics of those born under each sign. Animals like the stag, hawk, salmon, and bear were seen as spirit guides, embodying qualities that people could look to for guidance, strength, or insight into their own nature. Each animal had its own symbolism—strength, wisdom, intuition, or transformation—that was woven into the fabric of everyday life and ritual.

Take the stag, for instance, often associated with leadership and independence. Those born under this sign are believed to be natural leaders, embodying the grace and strength of the stag as it roams the wilds. Or the salmon, tied to wisdom and knowledge, symbolizing those who seek deeper truths and the mysteries of life’s flow.

These zodiacs also connected people to the cycles of nature—spring, summer, autumn, and winter. Just as the natural world shifted through phases, so too did these animal signs offer guidance on how to navigate life’s transitions. The Celts saw themselves as part of the living world, not separate from it, and these zodiacs reinforced the idea that we are all shaped by the forces of nature around us.

The Celtic zodiac wasn’t just a form of divination, but a reminder that we are intrinsically tied to the earth, to its creatures, and to the ancient wisdom that courses through the natural world. It was about understanding the traits that connect us to these sacred animals and honoring the energies they brought into our lives.

So while the zodiacs we might know today look to the stars for guidance, the Celts looked to the earth beneath their feet, the creatures they shared it with, and the seasons that marked the passage of time. Their animal zodiacs were not only tools for self-reflection but also a way to stay connected to the wild, untamed magic of nature itself.