Celtic dictionary: Reed

October 28 - November 24 - "Moon of the Home"

Although the Reed could rather be regarded as a grass, the Druids considered it a tree, simply because of its intricate system of roots. Identified with the Dryads, the Reed was characteristic of the mysteries of death. Being essentially nomads, the Celts would settle somewhere during Winter and would begin the new year cycle with the first yellow blooms that appeared on the Reed. The alleged 'tree' grows by watersides and marshes, gathering in clumps alongside rivers. Even today, the Reed (still used to thatch the roofs of houses) stands as a mark of protection offered to many of nature's creatures, be those domesticated or wild.

The stems of the Reed (or Broom) live for one year, appearing in Spring and dying in Autumn, when the dead stems will sometimes whisper and clatter in the wind. The Reed's medicinal uses were quite varied, ranging from the concoction made from young branches and seeds used in the treatment of malaria and sore joints, to the oil that was drawn from the stems that was supposed to soothe toothaches and remove parasites. The Reed offers excellent protection to a wide range of animals the likes of ducks, foxes or coyotes.

The Reed person can be of two distinct types. And it is as such with every tree in the zodiac: a first type called 'the new moon', related to the first two weeks of the sign, and 'the full moon' that obviously goes to the last two weeks of the respective sign.

The 'new moon' individual can make both a powerful ally or a feared enemy. This is due to the Reed's short patience and foolhardiness. However, the Reed will maintain his or her initial decision to the end, a thing that achieves a lot of respect, especially from adversaries. On the other side, the 'full moon' characters will almost always plan their actions ahead, with attention and elegance. Unfortunately, the 'full moons' are not quite constant in their activities and this may undermine their initial intentions.

Overall, the Reed persons possess a great deal of ingenuity and the ability to clearly perceive complex states of affairs. As mentioned above, the Reeds can make excellent friends, but sadly they can also be extremely jealous. If this jealousy is not contained or smothered in the bud, it may turn to violence. They are excellent and powerful leaders and also passionate and caring life partners, as long as they can keep their suspicious minds at bay. The Reed individuals can be looked at as catalysts of life rather than competitors, as they are more inclined to change life as a whole than just parts of it. They don't believe in compromise and live with the strong impression that they always have an important role to play in society, for which reason they will always refuse to become 'bench warmers'. Because of the power they exert on the others as well as on themselves, the Reeds must follow a very rigorous line of morals, otherwise they can become extremely dangerous persons.

The Reed persons must strive to keep their desired target in sight and not stray from the initial purpose. They have to learn how to accept the element of surprise and to elegantly overcome the small obstacles that might appear in their life.

The Ogham symbol that is associated with the Reed is Ngetal.

The lucky gemstone of the ones born under this sign is the Jasper, also known as the 'Supreme Nurturer'. The Jasper's color ranges from red to brown, but it can sometimes come in yellow. In ancient times it was believed that this (otherwise inexpensive) gem could offer protection from the bites of snakes and spiders. The Jasper was also used in defensive magic, since it was apparently able to return all negative power to the original caster.

The flower of the Reed is the Water Mint, a perennial plant also known as the Wild Mint or Marsh Mint. The Water Mint likes boggy or shallow waters, where it can have its roots constantly wet. When crushed, it produces a strong minty scent, for which reason it was used as a strewing herb. The Water Mint was linked to the Celtic guardians of spring.

The celestial body associated with the Reed is the planet Pluto ('Pwyll'), ruler of the UnderWorld.

The Reed deity is Arawen, King of the UnderWorld (God of Annwn). Arawen was seen as a master hunter in the Otherworld, riding a pale horse, followed by the UnderWorld hounds. The main purpose of his hunt was to gather souls for his kingdom below. The word "anguish"is derived from his name.

Two animals are the representations of the Reed: the Owl and the White Hound. The Owl, like all the birds in Celtic mythology, was the guide through the Otherworld. Thanks to its keen sight, it was believed to help in uncovering the liars and the deceitful. A universal symbol of wisdom and patience, the Reed should should be inspired by this bird, as they are quick-tempered and sometimes jump too fast to the wrong conclusions. The Hound was always regarded as friend and defender, always a loyal and brave companion. Undeworld Hounds were supposed to give chase to the guilty and punish them. The White Hound was an honorific title for Celtic chieftains.

There are also other lesser influences for each sign of the Celtic zodiac. These influences can be traced by the specific date of birth within the major sign. In the case of the individual born under the sign of the Reed, there are three influences, similar to the 'ascendants' in the European zodiac:

October 28 - November 11 - The Walnut

November 12 - November 21 - The Chestnut

November 22 - November 24 - The Ash

The approximate equivalent of the Reed sign in the Western/European zodiac is the Scorpio (October 23 - November 21).