January is considered one of the dark months. The Celts considered darkness and night the time for fairies and spirits to cause mischief.

"Picture: The Morrigan by J. Kythera"

The Druids separated the calendar into two phases of the sun and nature.
December 24-January 20 is the month of the Birch. The birch represents the link between life and death, and is associated with training of Druids. It is the rebirth of the sun from winter’s solstice.

January 18th is known as the “Washer of the Ford” or the Celtic goddess Morrigan. She would disguise herself as a woman washing clothes of the men that were about to die in battle. She is also known as Morrigu, the shape shifting Goddess of War, Fate and Death.

She presides over rivers, lakes and fresh water. She is the patron of revenge, night, magic and prophecy. She was one of the Tuatha De Danaan that aided in the defeat of the Firbolgs at The First Battle of Magh Tuireadh and the Fomorii at the Second Battle of the Mag Tured.

She is also known to hover over the battlefield as a crow. The hero Cu Chulainn rejected Morrigan because he failed to recognize her. When he died, Morrigan sat on his shoulder as a crow.

The Celts remember many gods throughout the year. Even after Christianity was introduced, the gods and fairies played a major role in their history.