According to the Coligny calendar, an early Celtic calendar which dates to the 2nd century, the tenth month of the year is Elembivios. This year it begins at sundown on February 5th and continues thru March 5th.
Elembivios is generally considered Stag Month. However, Stag Month isn’t an entirely correct translation. In Proto-Celtic, sido- (stag) is the root of *sido-bremo- (bellowing of stags) which is translated as autumn. Both are well attested. A better fit is *el-an-ī (deer) or *elnā- (herd) combined with *biwo- (living) or *biwoto- (life/food) which would make this Deer Month or Herd Month.
At this time of year, large herds have gathered on their winter-feeding grounds. After a long harsh winter, they are in their weakest body condition of the year, making them easy prey. Cows and hinds are heavily burdened with pregnancy making it even more difficult to outrun predators.
It is also the time when deer begin shedding their antlers. Unlike horns, which are hollow and remain perched atop an animal’s head for the duration of their lives, antlers are solid and must be regrown every year. The discarded antlers are known as sheds.
Our Celtic forebearers likely saw this as a boon. Like the deer, they too had been struggling to feed themselves through the winter. As the snow melts, hunters were able to push the herds until the old and weak collapsed, providing a much-needed nutrient-rich food source. In addition, the sheds they found were considered a useful commodity. Antlers were often crafted into hide scrapers, spearpoints, knife handles and other tools.
Savvy shoppers can still find antler handled tools, knives, and other items, like this ulu I recently purchased from the Levenworth Reindeer Farm.
Horn Hunting
A good way to celebrate Elembivios is to go horn hunting. Not only will this help you get outside, but you just might come home with a trophy.
Horn hunting is typically free for legal residents of most states. However, there are a few things to be aware of. Across the northern hemisphere, wildlife and game managers warn people not to stress the herds. In Utah, horn hunters are even required to take an Antler Gathering Ethics Course. In other states, like Colorado and Wyoming, it’s illegal to gather sheds between January 1st and April 30th.
Follow this link to see what regulations pertain to your state:
Shed Hunting Laws and Restrictions By State
If you work with an antlered deity, consider adding your finds to your altar or using them as decorations around the house. If antlers don’t fit with the vibe of your home décor, fear not! Antlers are an excellent source of calcium and other essential minerals. Consequently, dogs love them! So do squirrels and other rodents.
Let fido have your treasure as a chew or place them somewhere in your yard as an offering to the local wildlife.
Visit a Game Farm or Wildlife Center
Another way to celebrate Elembivios is by visiting a game farm or wildlife center. Since I live in the Pacific northwest, I opted to visit the Leavenworth Reindeer Farm.
Every tour includes a brief educational video and reindeer safety briefing before entering the enclosure. Once inside, tour goers get to pet and feed the reindeer. Not only do they not bite, but reindeer noses are soft as velvet.
The farm’s “Pen Pals” are happy to answer any questions you might have or directy you to particularly friendly reindeer. Plus, no need to struggle to get a selfie—the pen pals will take pictures for you.
Two amazing reindeer facts I learned during my tour is that reindeer calves start walking 5 min after they are born. After another 5 min. they can run, and 5 min after that, they can swim! The other thing is that reindeer eat a mixture of lichen and magic mushrooms! Those with a sense of humor or a leaning toward cottage core design can take home a wide range of magic mushroom holiday décor from the farm’s gift shop.
Reindeer sausage and other authentic Nordic food and beverages are available from the farm’s food stand, Blitzen’s Brews. Meals can be enjoyed at a picnic table or around one of the farm’s many firepits. In inclement weather, visitors can take shelter in several of the igloos scattered the property.
So, how are you celebrating Elemivios? If you’ve got other ideas, please share them in the comments.