April is the Month of An Giblean and Other Celtic Spring Traditions

In traditional Celtic society, the months weren't as rigidly structured as they are today. Months were more like seasons, and April was a month of new growth and renewal called An Giblean. Depending on where you lived, there were many ways to say or spell it, including An T'Aibreán, Aibreán, and more.

Still, they meant April, the time of sowing seeds, new baby chicks, betrothals, and young people beginning courtships. The earth started bursting forth with its bounty, and people celebrated Easter, the Spring Equinox, love, and renewal in many forms.

May Day is just around the corner as well, a Celtic celebration on May 1st that has pagan roots but is now celebrated simply as a symbol of the coming of summer. May Day fairs feature crafters and artisans selling their wares, performers, musicians, and food and libations. Bonfires in the evenings are a throwback to Beltane, the ancient pagan celebration. Children create May baskets filled with flowers to give to their mothers and grandmothers to celebrate the day.

Gifts of Love

Courtship often meant gifts of love, and that tradition continues today. Exchanging tokens of affection that can be worn for all the world to see is one way for a couple to announce they are a couple. Walker Metalsmiths collection of hand-crafted Celtic pendants include hand-crafted styles for both men and women in silver and gold in a variety of styles to suit every taste. Each one reflects the richness of Celtic heritage and the beauty of An Giblean. Our Celtic compass pendant is a stylish reminder that you are each other's North Star and safe way home. Or any one of our Celtic heart or cross pendants is a gorgeous symbol of your love.

Gifts of New Beginnings

An Giblean is often the time of baptisms, graduations, engagements, and other new beginnings. If someone in your life is starting a new chapter in their life, give them a Celtic necklace that symbolizes the beginning of that new journey. The Walker Metalsmiths custom designed Celtic cross pendants will be cherished for generations and are the ideal gift for a baptism or first communion. For the young man who doesn't wear necklaces, our Celtic cross ring is a masculine style that's appropriate for any occasion from first communion to graduation. For engagements, explore our Celtic engagement rings—each one handcrafted in our Andover, NY studio.

Gifts of Hope

Spring is a time of hope, and flowers personify the beauty and promise of the warmer days ahead. This May Day, give someone you love the gift of a Celtic necklace featuring a graceful floral motif with delicate swirls and gemstones. Any of our hand-crafted gemstone necklaces set with tsavorite is a lovely gift for spring, with the deep, verdant green of the stone capturing the lush color of springtime and An Giblean. Other signs of hope and the coming of summer that you'll find at Walker Metalsmiths include dragonflies, shamrocks, birds, and bees in our animal collection.

An Giblean is all about natural wonder, beauty, and growth. There are so many ways to celebrate, and we invite you to find whatever way speaks to your heart. If there is a gift that helps you share that with someone special in your life, we hope you can find it at Walker Metalsmiths.

About Walker Metalsmiths

Stephen Walker is co-author of The Modern History of Celtic Jewellery: 1840-1980 and has been handcrafting Celtic jewelry in Andover, NY since 1984.

Learn more about Stephen & Susan Walker →