Named after
Mënes, goddess of the moon, the Mënesian Calendar follows what is known as the
Mënesian Cycle. Used primarily by the
Skidafolk, this calendar is prominent in
Alnwich, where it is slowly being influenced by their
Usking rulers.
The Mënesian Calendar
The calendar begins on the first new moon after the Winter Solstice and lasts thirteen moons, with every seventh year adding a fourteenth moon known as the
Silver Moon. Each moon begins on the new moon and lasts one lunar cycle, or twenty-eight days. Moons are divided into weeks, each of which lasts one lunar phase, or seven days.
Moons
There are thirteen moons in a typical year, although once every seven years, a fourteenth leap month occurs called the
Silver Moon. The Silver Moon's presence on the calendar causes the other months to steadily precess earlier and earlier in the year until Sifaku resets the calendar and Mëneku returns to the first new moon after the winter solstice.
With the exception of the Silver Moon, each moon is named after and dedicated to one god.
Moon of the Mënesian Calendar
Order | Moon | Deity | Season |
1 | Mëneku | Mënes | Autumn, Winter |
2 | Koreku | Korë | Autumn |
3 | Vetraku | Veträ | Winter |
4 | Yuanaku | Yaunävä | Winter, Spring |
5 | Milaku | Milä | Winter, Spring |
6 | Karaku | Karalis | Spring |
7 | Liekku | Liekki | Spring, Summer |
8 | Pazaku | Pazamë | Spring, Summer |
9 | Likuku | Likuma | Summer |
10 | Sievaku | Sieva | Summer, Autumn |
11 | Malaku | Malä | Summer, Autumn |
12 | Sëraku | Sëra | Autumn |
13 | Jürku | Jürä | Winter |
14 | Sifaku | Korë, Malä, Mënes, and Pazamë | Winter |
The Silver Moon
Once every seven years, a fourteenth moon occurs at the end of the calendar called Sifaku, or the
Silver Moon. This leap moon resets the calendar so that Mëneku once again falls on the first new moon after the winter solstice. Culturally, it has far more significance, however.
Sifaku is a special moon dedicated to
Malä,
Pazamë,
Korë, and
Mënes - four deities associated with death and spirits. During this time, the barrier between the spirit world and the material world grows thinner, allowing spirits to freely pass between this and the spirit realms. It is a time of reunion, reconsiliation, danger, and praise.
The moon concludes with Mënes rounding up the loose spirits and ushering them back into the spirit realm on the winter solstice and the rebirth of the Mënesian Cycle.
Weeks
Each moon is divided into its four phases - new, waxing, full, and waning - each lasting seven days. Another common unit of calendar time is the fortnight, which lasts two weeks.
Weeks of the Month
Order | Phase | Name |
1 | New Moon | Loftku |
2 | Waxing | Eldurku |
3 | Full Moon | Yorku |
4 | Waning | Vatnku |
Days of the Week
Order | Name |
1 | Kusday |
2 | Aurinsday |
3 | Torvarsday |
4 | Runasday |
5 | Korpisday |
6 | Erlingsday |
7 | Hirvisday |
Holy Days
A plethora of holy days and festivals speckle the Mënesian Calendar. Each month has at least one holy day dedicated to the deity who governs that moon, plus occasionally other holy days related to other deities. In addition to this, a number of aggricultural holidays and festivals dot the calendar, along with seasonal celebrations. For a full list, see
Mënesian Holy Days, Festivals, and Celebrations.
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