cmh blog

As we’re leading up to the last book of the Harry Potter series, I was recently scanning the website of JK Rowling. She has a section called “Extras” (click on her hairbrush) where she talks about scenes she liked that never made the books, and tidbits about little details that don’t get explained in the stories.

One of these extras concerns connections between the three main characters and the `Celtic Zodiac’. I use this term in scare quotes¹ because it seems that the celtic zodiac was basically made up from whole cloth in 1946. These things are always kind of amusing, though, so I say: why not enjoy it.

The celtic zodiac is organized around trees that hold sway over certain lunar months. The one for July 8 to August 4 is the Holly tree. This puts me in the same month as Harry Potter (bearer of a Holly wood wand) among others.

About the tree: Balances the positive and negative aspects of the self, making it best in the fight. Associated with goodwill and love. Planted for protection near homes, where it warded off evil, it also crowned new chieftans. Its wood was used for spears and cudgels, and was a symbol of good luck and good fortune. It represents the eternal and evergreen aspects of mother earth. As an herb it bestowed wisdom and courage.

About Holly people: In general, Holly individuals are practical, capable and steadfast in the face of adversity. In relationships, Holly people are supportive, protective and possessive. Holly individuals have a tendency to strive for perfection, which often leads to loss of confidence and direction. They exhibit a large amount of personal integrity and tend to influence things a great deal, but usually behind the scenes. Their word is literally their bond and honor is their guiding principle. The weak point of the Holly individual is sensitivity to personal criticism… his or her need for constant affection and attention can make the Holly demanding in a close relationship. There may also be a tendency to exhibit a miserly attitude. Not known to be risk-takers until all the facts have been gathered, the Holly individual possesses the ability to solve difficult problems through the use of simple logic.

Holly individuals are attracted to banking and insurance. They are strong-willed and make for trustworthy friends with a great reserve of physical endurance. Down-to-earth people, they usually possess much spiritual contentment. The Holly individual tends to be a collector of artifacts and has an excellent eye for a “good deal.” As a mate, the Holly person is affectionate…although often overly-protective…not inclined to wander and frequently marries a childhood sweetheart. Hollies also make for tolerant and very supportive spouses and tend to have a number of close friends of both sexes. Although sometimes appearing to lack a sense of humor, this is chiefly due to the dislike of the Holly individual to laugh at the expense of another. Holly people can be reclusive and all require a quiet place of their own in which to take respite from the huge responsibilities they usually place upon themselves.

Full-moon Holly: As opposed to those born earlier in the month, being born in the last week of the moon I’m committed to my own dreams and ambitions (as opposed to those of others). The “full moon” Holly individual, however, is frequently hypersenstive to personal criticism and may be forced to retreat periodically from the world.

Influence of the Cypress: In addition, being born in the last week the secondary tree associated with my birthday is the Cypress: Cypress individuals are strong, muscular and adaptable, taking what life has to offer. Content and optimistic, Cypress people crave money and acknowledgement and hate to be lonely, although they are prone to pursue independence. They are passionate individuals, with a love which is difficult to satisfy, but are nonetheless faithful. Cypress individuals have a tendency to be quick-tempered, unruly, pedantic and careless. They often possess a biting irony and a certain taste for sarcasm, acquired by virtue of their tendency to bravely undergo the hardest of blows and thereby learn how to free themselves from the burdens of life

Gemstone: Red Carnelian (also prized by Egyptians)
Flower: Meadow-Sweet (not actually a flower)
Celestial Body: Thanks (I mean Earth)
Animals: Cats and Unicorns

So there you have it, a total rundown of my personality according to the totally made up “traditional” celtic zodiac.

¹Someone famous once wrote an essay advising writers to have more intestinal fortitude than to use scare quotes. This writer essentially said if it’s worth saying something then take it on board. I wish I could remember who this was. I thought it was Orwell in “Politics and the English Language” but I re-read that and it’s not in there.