The human civilisation in [[Adenland]] uses a cohesive and simple system of timekeeping, which was developed by Anaxtan astrologer-clerics over centuries and formalised in 457 VL. # Years The tropical year (a full cycle of seasons, solstice to solstice) is divided into 360 days. Annual records date from 0 VL, the year that [[Vidarr Jarlsson Oversaenur]] and the Ættir landed on the shores of Adenland and began human habitation of the continent. Since then, years have been counted from "Vidarr's Landing". Years prior to 0 VL would be counted as "FVL" (_før Vidarrs landning_, in the Old Tongue); however, there are no records, stories, or known events that predate Vidarr's Landing, and so there is no practical reason to use such notation. # Seasons There are six nominal seasons of the year. Due to the peculiarities of [[Jord]]'s orbit, the length, timing, and intensity of the seasons can vary significantly from year to year. Sometimes, a season may be so short as to be effectively nonexistent, while other seasons might be overly long, possibly with a "false transition" where it seems to break towards the next season, only to regress for some additional time. Due to this variance and unpredictability, and the effect it has on agriculture, hunting, and pastoralism, the astrologer-clerics of Anaxta are vital for predicting and demarcating the seasons year to year. The start of each season is marked by two signs: an astrological phenomenon ("star sign") and a terrestrial phenomenon ("earth sign"), the former of which typically precedes the latter by a few days. Only when both have occurred do the astrologer-clerics decree that the season has shifted. Due to their consistent name pattern, the seasons will sometimes be referred to collectively as "the Tides". In addition, the cold times of the year are sometimes referred to as "winter", and the warm times as "summer" (the words "spring", "fall", and "autumn" are not used in reference to the seasons). ## 1. Thawtide Thawtide is the season where cold and frost loosen their grip on the land. Snow melting, ice thawing, and the world stirring are the hallmarks of this season. This is concomitant with rivers rising and waters surging from snowmelt, and the latter half of this season tends to be very muddy, making travel difficult. The months traditionally associated with Thawtide are the **Moon of First Dawn** and the **Moon of Clay**, although the season can also drift backwards into the Moon of Mercy or forward into the Moon of Threefold Blessing. Although seasonal transitions are distinct from months, many common folk consider Thawtide to start on the 1st of Moon of First Dawn, given the strong symbolic association with the start of the new year and rebirth of the seasons. ## 2. Sowingtide Sowingtide is the season when plant and animal life begins to stir anew. The sun returns, seeds are planted, and animals have their offspring. From an administrative point of view, planning begins for the year's projects and activities. The months traditionally associated with Sowingtide are the **Moon of Threefold Blessing** and the **Moon of Stone**, although the season can also drift backwards into the Moon of Clay or forward into the Moon of Herds. Farmers and pastoralists patiently await the declaration of the seasons to guide their activities. Some hunters do as well, although most prefer to go by their own reckoning. ## 3. Longsuntide Longsuntide is the season of sunlight and warmth. The summer solstice ("high sunstead", midsummer) occurs around the middle of this season. The days are longest and the weather is brightest. It is typically seen as a time for maturing and celebrating. The months traditionally associated with Longsuntide are the **Moon of Herds** and the **Moon of the Twins**, although the season can also drift backwards into the Moon of Stone or forward into the Moon of Coin. Herding and pastoralism are busy activities during this time. Due to similarities in microclimate between the meadows of central Skadyrik and the herding valleys in the foothills, the earth sign for this season did not require change in the Mountains. ## 4. Drytide Drytide marks the season when rainfall and other precipitation become less common. Due to seasonal lag, this is also the hottest season. The months traditionally associated with Drytide are the **Moon of Coin** and the **Moon of Healing**, although the season can also drift backwards into the Moon of the Twins or forward into the Moon of Stories. Travel is easiest during this month due to the condition of the roads and calm but constant winds, which spurs economic activity. There is also the heightened risk of fire. ## 5. Harvesttide Harvesttide is, after Sowingtide, the most important time of the year. The crops are harvested, herds gathered in, and the people prepare for the cold. As they do, the focus is on community bonds. The months traditionally associated with Harvesttide are the **Moon of Stories** and the **Moon of Secrets**, although the season can also drift backwards into the Moon of Healing or forward into the Moon of Wisdom. The harvests are associated with extensive festivals and celebrations. ## 6. Snowtide Snowtide is when the cold and frost arrive and quiet the land. The months traditionally associated with Snowtide are the **Moon of Wisdom** and the **Moon of Mercy**, although the season can also drift backwards into the Moon of Secrets or forward into the Moon of First Dawn. During this time, economic activity mostly ceases except for what is imminently required. The focus is on the closest bonds of community, clan, and family, as well as inward introspection. # Months Aside from the seasons, the year is also divided into 12 months of 30 days each. The months are centred around the lunar cycles, which are also exactly 30 days. This uniform cycle runs in parallel to the more variable seasonal cycle, and provides fixed reference points for timekeeping. Each month is divided into 4 weeks of 7 days each. The full moon occurs after the end of the second week, on the 15th day of the month, and is not part of any week. Likewise, the new moon occurs after the end of the fourth week, on the 30th day of the month, and is not part of any week. The months are themed around the gods, and each one honours a specific god or gods who are most relevant at that time. ## 1. Moon of First Dawn The first month of the year, Moon of First Dawn is incredibly important as a symbol of renewal and reimposition of the cosmic order. This month is dedicated to **Taron**, king of the gods. On the full moon of First Dawn, the king traditionally leads a massive festival that breaks the drudgery of winter, stirs the kingdom back to life, and proclaims the desires for the year. The association with the start of the year is so strong that many common folk treat the 1st of Moon of First Dawn as the start of Thawtide, regardless of the astrologer-clerics' declarations. ## 2. Moon of Clay The Moon of Clay sees the land itself stir from slumber. As the ice and snow melts, the rivers swell and at times break their banks. Wetlands become sodden, mud and clay abound, and travel is at its most difficult. This month is dedicated to **Ernon**, god of the earth, and **Ilasa**, goddess of the waters, who work in tandem during this month to reshape the terrain. ## 3. Moon of Threefold Blessing The Moon of Threefold Blessing is among the most important times of the year. This is when crops are planted and ANIMALS??? This month is dedicated to the **Triple Spiral**: **Ulvuno**, goddess of fertility; **Trisata**, god of agriculture; and **Carn**, god of the hunt. During the Moon of Threefold Blessing, new life in all its forms is celebrated for sustaining civilisation. ## 4. Moon of Stone The Moon of Stone follows the important planting season and is when plans and projects themselves are seeded. This month is dedicated to **Ebracte**, god of construction; and **Qevon**, god of justice. During this time, building projects and civic works are conceptualised; crop harvests are predicted based on the planting conditions; taxes, debts, and loans are assessed and reviewed; and the business of administration kicks into gear. ## 5. Moon of Herds The Moon of Herds. This month is dedicated to **Heduron**, god of livestock. During this time, herders move from the winter pastures to the summer pastures, after they have been given a couple months to grow during Sowingtide. ## 6. Moon of the Twins This month is dedicated to **Narvos and Garnos**, the twin gods of athleticism and combat. At the height of summer, many settlements hold games and contests of sport. The summer solstice ("high sunstead") typically occurs during this month, with festivals planned around it; however, on the rare occasion when the sunstead drifts outside the month, the festivals will typically still be scheduled to remain within the month so the namesake stays relevant. ## 7. Moon of Coin This month is dedicated to **Rhetios**, god of commerce and trade. The weather is usually at its most stable at this time, with wind currents predictable and rainfall uncommon. This makes the Moon of Coin the best time of year for travel, and by extension trade and commerce. Many merchant guilds and similar organisations will see additional activities planned for this month, even if they do not require travel, as they benefit from the increased economic activity. ## 8. Moon of Healing This month is dedicated to **Salva**, god of healing and herblore. Many healing herbs are most potent at this time period, and must be harvested before other crops. Additionally, this month sees the Moon aligned with one or more constellations of power and focus, and those who lie under the full moon during this month are often cleansed of sickness and poison. ## 9. Moon of Stories This month is dedicated to **Vomonios**, god of skalds; and **Belaca**, god of the arts. This is the month of the harvest, when the year's crops are taken in and stored, and the bounty of the land enjoyed. When the harvest is complete, there are great festivals to celebrate. Bards and skalds tell tales of the year and of years past, and artists reveal their capstone projects or reflect on their best achievements. All the people gather and partake in each others' company as they prepare for the winter to come. ## 10. Moon of Secrets This month is dedicated to **Anaxta**, goddess of the stars; and her husband **Drovan**, god of alchemy. This time of year is when the alchemists and astronomers are often at their busiest. With the people gathered into the cities in preparation for Snowtide, population density is highest; and with most of the year's hard labour completed, many people are available for temporary work. This means that specialty services like alchemist's shops have both a surplus of demand and a surplus of labour. This is also when Anaxtan astrologer-clerics make their predictions for the next year's Tides based on their observations and calculations to date. ## 11. Moon of Wisdom This month is dedicated to **Lucuna**, god of wisdom. Snowtide sets in, and the people withdraw to their clans, families, and houses. As economic activity winds down, people turn to the gods: their teachings, their stories, and their wisdom. Priestly institutions and outposts hold weekly or daily teachings to the public. Shrines are available for ad hoc sacrifices and entreaties. ## 12. Moon of Mercy This month is dedicated to **Serumnon**, god of compassion. This month is the coldest, with the winter solstice ("low sunstead") typically falling within it. The weakest, loneliest, and impoverished – Serumnon's flock – often fare poorly in deep Snowtide. Those who hold true to the ideals of compassion in this time to ensure the survival of everyone in the community will earn the esteem of both gods and men. # Weekdays The months are divided into 4 weeks of 7 days each, with the full moon and the new moon not part of any week. The 1st day of the month is the crescent sliver after the new moon, and always falls on a Moonday. After the first two weeks is the full moon, which takes place on the 15th day of the month, after the second Sunday but having no weekday or week itself. After the full moon is the 16th day, the third Moonday of the month. After two more weeks is the new moon, on the 30th day, after the fourth Sunday and not having any weekday or week. After the new moon is the 1st day of the next month. ![[calendar_example.webp|center]] Due to these intercalary days, Sundays are not always followed by Moondays, but rather half the time are followed by lunar conjunction days with no weekday. As such, the time between any consecutive Moondays (or any other weekday) can be either 7 days or 8 days depending on the exact week. However, since each month follows the same structure and the lunar cycle does not diverge from the monthly pattern, it is trivial to calculate the time between days and weeks. None of the normal days of the week are days of rest; the concept of "weekend" does not exist. However, the lunar conjunction days _are_ days of rest: no labour is performed and no sales are transacted. The full moon is a day of celebration to whichever god or gods are being honoured that month. The new moon is a day of gathering with family and extended relatives. ## 1. Moonday Although Sunday was historically the first day of the week, in recent centuries this designation has shifted to Moonday – likely so the start of each "Moon" falls on a Moonday. ## 2. Tynesday Tynesday is historically when rulers and governments held court and conducted official state business (_tyne_ being the word in the Old Tongue for a meeting or council). Of course, as cities grew larger and governments more complicated, this task has long outgrown a single day of the week. Nonetheless, official acts, proclamations, or ceremonial dates relating to government often are reserved for Tynesdays. ## 3. Midweekday When Sunday was the start of the week, this day fell perfectly in the middle; although this is no longer the case, the name remains. ## 4. Thornday Thornday is historically when villagers in outlying lands would travel into town and set up market stalls for the next day, walking through "thorns", briars, and such to do so. ## 5. Fireday Fireday is historically when markets were held. ## 6. Starday Starday is the sixth day of the week. Nothing really to say other than that! ## 7. Sunday As noted above, Sunday used to be the first day of the week. # Hours Each day is divided into 24 hours. Each hour is divided into 60 minutes. Each minute is divided into 60 seconds. The astrologer-priests were historically in charge of keeping time, but pendulum clocks came into use a couple hundred years ago, and in recent decades mechanical chronometers have performed this function. # Calendar Embed ```calendarium ```