The Year

This site and all its contents are

2007-2009

The Airtha year is measured by a lunar calendar and comprises 364 days - split into 13 months (or moon cycles), all of which contain 28 days. Each of these months begins with a new moon (i.e. when the moon is not visible in the night sky) and is named after a particular type of tree (as seen in the table below).

The 'Summer Festival' (possibly the most lively of all the yearly festivities) occurs on Willow-moon 19th. The morning dew of this day is considered blessed and washing ones face with it is reported to preserve one's youth. Great hilltop bonfires mark this day, and it is a time when livestock is driven out into summer pastures.

Holly-moon 26th sees in the 'Festival of Light' and it is a favourite amongst followers of the Sun God. The festival occurs at harvest time, with fairs, games and contests commonly held. It is also a popular time for marriages and for the lighting of bonfires

Note that although the solstices and equinoxes are observed by

most folk, they are deemed especially sacred days by the druids.

* * * * *

Birch-moon

Rowan-moon

Ash-moon

Alder-moon

Willow-moon

Hawthorn-moon

Oak-moon

Holly-moon

Hazel-moon

Vine-moon

Ivy-moon

Reed-moon

Elder-moon

December 24 - January 20

January 21 - February 17

February 18 - March 17

March 18 - April 14

April 15 - May 12

May 13 - June 9

June 10 - July 7

July 8 - August 4

August 5 - September 1

September 2 - September 29

September 30 - October 27

October 28 - November 24

November 25 - December 22

The year begins with the 'Summers End' festival on Reed-moon 5th, and it is a time when many believe that the veil between this world and the 'other-world' is at it's thinnest. Thus it is a day to remember and honour one's ancestors (this is particularly true of the dwarves) - and fairs, festivities and the lighting of communal bonfires are common activities.

The spring festivities ('Awakening') commence on Rowan-moon 12th and it is a time for the birthing of lambs and the sowing of seeds - and is thus a celebration of fertility. It is a time for auguries to be taken, and for households to light and display many candles and lanterns.

Winter Solstice

Spring Equinox

Summer Solstice

Autumn Equinox

Elder-moon 26th

Alder-moon 5th

Oak-moon 12th

Vine-moon 19th