The Tanarian Calendar

The Tanarian calendar is an elegant system that reflects the natural cycles, celestial bodies, and cultural traditions of the world of Tanaria. Comprised of 10 months, each lasting 30 days, the calendar is a carefully structured tool for managing time across the diverse regions and cultures of the planet. The moons Callistra and Umbriel play significant roles in shaping the calendar, as do the seasonal shifts that vary slightly depending on location, particularly in the most temperate kingdom.

Evolution of the Calendar

The Tanarian calendar has evolved alongside the civilizations of Tanaria, shaped by the interplay between its celestial bodies and cultural traditions. The two moons, Callistra and Umbriel, are deeply woven into the calendar’s design, with months like Calsday and Sombriel directly named in their honor. The seasons originally followed the agricultural cycles, with important festivals and celebrations tied to the planting, harvest, and changing of the moons.
As the kingdoms of Tanaria developed, the calendar became more standardized across regions, allowing for easier trade and communication between the diverse cultures. Some regions, particularly those with extreme climates or magical influences, still maintain variations on the calendar, but the 10-month, 300-day structure has become the accepted norm.
The creation of days like Solsday for rest and Draksday for leadership and strategic decision-making reflects the values of Tanaria’s key deities and cultural priorities. The shift toward a more organized calendar, governed by natural cycles and religious observances, has helped unify the land and foster cooperation among its peoples.
This structured yet flexible system allows for regional diversity while maintaining a shared sense of time, essential for both cultural identity and inter-kingdom diplomacy in Tanaria.

Months

The year is divided into 10 months of 30 days each, totaling 300 days in a year. Each month is named to reflect the seasons, celestial influences, or important cultural aspects.

Astralon (First month of the year)

Season: Late Winter / Early Spring
A month of cosmic alignment and stargazing, when the skies are clear, and celestial bodies, including the moons, are at their brightest. Astralon is seen as a time of new beginnings and reflection on the stars' guidance.

Zephyren

Season: Early Spring
The month of growth and rebirth, named for Zephyra, the Titaness of Nature and Growth. New life begins to sprout, and the first flowers of the season bloom. It’s a time of planting and renewal, celebrated with festivals of nature.

Velnir

Season: Mid Spring
Known as the month of balance, Velnir represents a harmonious period between the chaos of winter’s end and the full bloom of spring. People celebrate balance in life, and it’s a peaceful time for reflection and introspection.

Cythrea

Season: Late Spring / Early Summer
A month dedicated to love, beauty, and the arts, where the world bursts into full bloom. Festivals of music and creativity take place, and many weddings are held during Cythrea as it is considered an auspicious time for unions.

Fyrden

Season: Early Summer
A time of heat and energy, Fyrden represents the height of the sun’s power. It’s a time for hard work, gathering strength, and celebrating vitality. Crops grow strong under the blazing sun, and fire-related festivals are common.

Veridom

Season: Mid Summer
The month of flourishing abundance, Veridom is tied to the height of summer and the time of greatest bounty. It’s a period of growth, but also one where care must be taken to ensure harvests remain strong and healthy.

Aurumeth

Season: Late Summer / Early Autumn
The golden month, Aurumeth, marks the beginning of harvest season. Fields of grain turn golden, and people celebrate their prosperity. It is also seen as a time of preparation for the coming colder months.

Harwane

Season: Early Autumn
A time of gathering and preservation, Harwane is the height of the harvest season. It’s when the final crops are brought in and stored for the winter, and many communities come together to celebrate the fruits of their labor.

Sombriel

Season: Late Autumn / Early Winter
Named after Umbriel, this month brings a gradual descent into darkness. The nights grow longer, and on the 5th day of Sombriel, winter officially begins in the temperate regions. It is a time of quiet preparation and reflection before the harshest months.

Mirithan

Season: Mid Winter
The coldest month of the year, Mirithan is a time of hibernation, rest, and survival. However, it is also a month of storytelling and traditions, where families gather around fires to share tales of history, mythology, and hope for the new year.

Seasons

Each season lasts 75 days, but this may vary slightly in different regions of Tanaria. The most temperate kingdom is used as a reference, with winter beginning on the 5th day of Sombriel.

• Spring: Astralon to Velnir (Days 1–75)
• Summer: Cythrea to Veridom (Days 76–150)
• Autumn: Aurumeth to early Sombriel (Days 151–225)
• Winter: Late Sombriel to Mirithan (Days 226–300)

Weekdays

The calendar divides each week into 6 days

1. Solsday (Day of Rest)

As the first day of the week, Solsday is a day of rest, rejuvenation, and connection to the sun's energy. It's a time for people to relax, spend time with family, and prepare mentally for the work and challenges of the coming days. Many communities may use this day for gatherings, feasts, and worship, focusing on both renewal and gratitude for the light and life around them.

2. Calsday

Dedicated to Callistra, the blue moon, Calsday is a day for reflection and wisdom. Scholars, teachers, and those seeking guidance often use this day to deepen their knowledge and share insights.

3. Omsday

A day of harmony and balance, Omsday is considered a time for gathering with family and community. It’s a day of trade and negotiation, where people come together to resolve disputes or strike deals.

4. Thalsday

Named after ancient warrior traditions, Thalsday is often dedicated to training, competition, and physical challenges. It’s a day for action, whether in combat, sports, or rigorous work, and is revered by those who value strength and honor.

5. Igmusday

A day of fire and creativity, Igmusday is tied to the forge, artistry, and invention. It’s a time to work on crafts, new ideas, and projects, channeling the inner flame to create something lasting.

6. Draksday

Honoring Drakoris, the god of dragons, this day is dedicated to leadership, wisdom, and protection. It’s often a day for rulers, leaders, and strategists to make important decisions or gather with their people to discuss future plans.

Lunar Cycles and Celestial Phenomena

The celestial bodies of Tanaria play a central role in shaping not only the calendar but the cultural, spiritual, and agricultural lives of its inhabitants. Callistra and Umbriel, the two moons that orbit Tanaria, influence the flow of time, seasons, and significant events across the year. Their movements are tracked carefully by scholars, astronomers, and priests, who use them to predict important events and guide the people of Tanaria in their daily lives.

The Moons of Tanaria

Callista

As the larger and more prominent moon, Callista is a brilliant presence in the night sky. Its light is associated with wisdom, guidance, and strength. With a regular cycle of 24 days, Callista is seen as a steady and reliable force in Tanaria, often looked to for guidance in important decisions. Many of Tanaria’s major events, such as treaties, pilgrimages, and leadership ceremonies, are timed to align with Callista’s phases.

Umbriel

Smaller and more elusive, Umbriel has a 35-day cycle that is slower and subtler than Callista’s. Umbriel is tied to mystery, fate, and the unknown forces that guide destiny. Its dimmer, greyish light represents the shadowy aspects of life—hidden knowledge, magic, and the consequences of actions. People look to Umbriel during times of uncertainty or when seeking deeper truths.

Celestial Phenomena

The interactions between Callista and Umbriel create fascinating celestial events that mark significant times in Tanarian culture:
The Twin Eclipse: Once every few years, Callista and Umbriel align perfectly, blocking the sun and casting the land into temporary twilight. This rare event is seen as a powerful moment of transformation, where the forces of light and shadow come into balance. It is a time of significant magical potential, and many cultures use it for rituals of renewal, divination, and reckoning.
Callista’s Brilliance: During the month of Cythrea, Callista reaches its brightest point in the sky, glowing with unparalleled intensity. This full moon marks a time of heightened clarity and wisdom, and scholars, priests, and leaders often hold important gatherings during this period, believing that decisions made under Callista’s Brilliance are blessed with foresight and strength.
Umbriel’s Shadow: Every few years, Umbriel’s full moon extends over multiple nights in a rare phenomenon known as Umbriel’s Shadow. During this time, the boundaries between the physical and spiritual worlds blur, and it is believed that spirits, creatures of shadow, and ancient magics roam freely. This is a time of great caution, with many choosing to stay indoors and avoid traveling under Umbriel’s prolonged full moon.
Moondance: Once every several decades, Callista and Umbriel synchronize their orbits in a celestial dance, appearing to chase each other across the sky. This rare event lasts for three nights and is associated with harmony, love, and unity. Many weddings and unions are planned to coincide with the Moondance, and it is seen as a time to repair relationships and forge new alliances.