Time And Calendar
Dispatch #3: How Time Is Observed In The Known World
Greetings!
Welcome to The Known World, where I post about the characters, places, and things pertaining to the world setting of the same name, which will eventually be featured in a future book to be titled The Other Side of the Sun.
TL;DR: This article looks at the measurement and passage of time in the Known World. The information imparted can also provide a brief glimpse into the history and culture to be found around the Known World.
Reading Time: ~ 19 Minutes
Prologue
This article is a rewrite taken from a much longer post I originally published back on 23 December 2022. It comes specifically from the 3rd (and final section) of that post, which dealt with matters pertaining to the passage of time in the Known World.
Articles about the two other sections of the original post can be found here:
Today we will discuss topics such as the planet Vadu’s Solar Year and the Calendars used in the Known World. We will also provide helpful lists denoting the days of the week, the months of the year, and the four week-long festivals that mark the changing of its seasons.
We should also be able to get a brief look at matters pertaining to the Known World’s religion, social hierarchy, ways of life, and other areas of potential interest to the Reader.
So with that in mind, let us undertake today’s journey…
Solar Year
Being part of the planet Vadu, the Known World sees 364 days in their solar year, which divides rather nicely into 4 seasons of 91 days each.
However, because that solar year is actually 364.10 days long, astronomers must add a leap day every 10 years to account for the discrepancy between calendar years and solar years. This leap day, known as Repaciĝotago (Reconciliation Day) or Celebration Day, is a special holiday in its own right.
Reconciliation Day will get further coverage at a later date. But for today, just know that it comes up every 10 years in time, and Known Worlders tend to think it’s a really big deal. In contrast, Avalonians regard this decennial leap day with variable degrees of indifference, in much the way humans on Earth tend to treat February 29th.
Calendars In Use
Two major calendars are widely used by the various and sundry folk who live around the Known World namely: The Glosa Calendar and the Ydo Calendar.
Both of these calendars are based on the cycles of the sun, Lasuno, as well as Vadu’s two moons: The 13-lunar cycled Serena and the 4-lunar cycled Kaprica. However, each calendar marks the passage of days a slightly different ways.
We will begin first by evaluating the more popular calendar of the two - and the calendar the Reader will more likely encounter in my stories - which is the Glosa Calendar.
Glosa Calendar
The Glosa Calendar is used by all countries on the continent of Glosa and several of her nearby island states, as well as by business and mercantile interests all throughout the Known World.
It was developed by a group of astronomers from the former Duryan Empire, who based it on the older Vrama e Marea (Time and Tide) calendar system used by the Northfolk tribes, who dwell within the more northerly reaches of Glosa.
The Time and Tide calendar is anchored by the movements of Kaprica, which the Northfolk consider to be sacred. It is organized into four seasons, each of which begin with one month of 31 days, followed by two more months containing 30 days each. Every month is divvied up into three 10-day long weeks known as a Deshtag, or a Tenday, and each of the four 31-day months begin with a one-day holiday known as the Festag (Festival Day) to usher in each season. As the name might indicate, in Northfolk culture the Festags were generally characterized by much feasting, the consumption of strong drink, and indulging in certain amounts of debauchery.
Using the Time and Tide Calendar as a foundation, Duryan astronomers built out the Glosa Calendar around the movements of both moons, rather than the movements of Kaprica alone, using Serena to mark the months and Kaprica to mark the seasons.
It should be noted here that in Duryan and Northfolk culture the numbers four, seven and twelve, are regarded to be blessed numbers while the number thirteen is thought to be jinxed. This posed something of a problem for the Northfolk astronomers, because Selena also courses through 13 lunar cycles per solar year.
To overcome this problem, astronomers kept Time and Tide’s original 12 month calendar scheme intact, but extended the quarterly festivals from one to seven days in length, thereby using the 4 week long festivals to help mask Serena’s 13th annual lunar cycle. They also set the four seasonal equinoxes and solstices to occur on the 4th day of each festival.
As a result, the Glosa Calendar begins each year four days before Kaprica reaches her Spring Equinox. Each calendar month is 28 days in length as measured by the lunar phases of Serena. The 7-day long festivals occur at the beginning of each 3 month period, when the lesser moon Kaprica arrives at its peak fullness. Each month is evenly divided into four weeks of 7 days each, while each festival is also seven days in length.
The Glosa Calendar will be see occasionally in The Other Side Of The Sun and any other books to be written. However, the Intrepid Adventurer may also encounter other calendars during their travels about the Known World. So let’s take a moment to discuss a few of those.
Ydo Calendar
As previously mentioned, the other calendar used widely in the Known World is the Ydo Calendar, which is widely used by countries on the continent of Ydo, as well as by several nearby island archipelagos. While all of the Three Empires of Ydo use it as their official calendar, they each apply different, locally derived names for each of the days and months.
The Ydo Calendar begins its year from the Summer Solstice, when both of Vadu’s moons turn full. It contains 13 months, each being 28 days in length and synchronized according to Serena’s 13 annual lunar cycles. Like the Glosa Calendar, each month is neatly subdivided into four weeks of 7 days each, but unlike the Glosa Calendar, it does not use special called-out festival weeks, but rather incorporates them into the months they fall within.
Being tied so closely to the lunar cycles of Serena, the Ydo Calendar is used by nearly all ship’s pilots to navigate across the Known World, while most Ydoan merchant-adventurers aboard the same ships employ the Glosa Calendar for trade-related matters. Thus, both calendars are observed aboard most seafaring vessels.
Less Commonly Seen Calendars
Other calendars are used by specific groups of humaniform beings, and thus may be encountered during one’s travels around the Known World.
Metahuman Calendars
Several of the Known World’s indigenous metahuman species, including the Dandiprats, Manikins, Barakins, and the Dwurfolk, have calendars of their own devising.
For example, the Manikins use a calendar (called the Tygabelan Bulan or Thirteen Moons) is a 13-month calendar similar to the Ydo Calendar, but uses different names for the months of the year. Most Manikins, especially those who deal with humans, like to use calendars that mark the days according to both timelines.
The Dwurfolk use a very ancient calendar of their own devising, known as the Kotera Malǒ, or the Wheel of Years. The Wheel of Years measures the passage of time in days, seasons and years. In the hands of an astronomer with the proper training, the Wheel of Years can also be used to measure time up to 20,736,000,000 years into the past or future. The Dwurin also use either or both the Glosa or Ydo calendars, depending on one’s need or occupation.
Meanwhile, the Barakins and Dandiprats each use their own calendars based on the 91-day seasons rather than years. Thus, if one were to ask a 20 year old Barakin or Dandiprat how old they are, they would indicate that they are 80 years old. Neither species cares much for human based calendars.
Religious Calendars
Two human-centered religions - those belonging to the monotheistic greater god Nevidata, also known as The Unseen, as well as the druidical religion called La Pliaĝakredo, or The Old Faith - choose to track time using their own calendar systems, mostly for the purpose of marking their high holy days.
The Days of the Week
The planet Vadu rotates through a 24 hour day, while both the Glosa and Ydo Calendars use 7 day weeks matched to Serena’s lunar phases.
Following is a list of the days of the week, and how they are typically observed within the Known World.
Freeday (Liberatago)
Freeday is a universally observed day of rest and market throughout the Known World. It is an important market day, especially for local rural folk who come to the urban market towns to purchase, sell and/or barter provisions, produce and other goods.
Freeday is a day of worship among followers of Kelada, the Lady of Sport, Goddess of Athletics and Brawling. Kelada’s followers like to mark the day by conducting various sorts of competitive or participatory sporting matches.
Godsday (Diostago)
Godsday is treated as a day of worship or rest for all but a few folk living in the Known World.
It is the official day of worship for followers of Lerene, the Just Warrior, Goddess of Courage, Chivalry and Honor; Denara, The Lady of Bargains, Goddess of Trade and Mercantilism; Mersy, The Intercessor, Goddess of Castaways, Exiles and Outcasts; and Seramala, the Lady Artisan, Goddess of Artisanship and Crafts.
Because Lerene is worshipped overwhelmingly by Glosa’s ruling and warrior classes, Godsday often serves as a de facto 2nd day of rest for most Glosans. To avoid offending the powers that be, most commoners try to spend this day quietly, sharing quality time with family and friends or simply relaxing at home.
To honor Denara and Seramala, nearly all stores and markets are closed on Godsday. However, inns and taverns are usually permitted to operate at least during the afternoon and early evening.
Starsday (Stelostago)
Starsday is a day of work, but it is also notable as the day where one is encouraged to give thanks to La Sinjorino (The Lady of Our Fate), the very powerful Greater Goddess of Fate, Destiny and Luck. The day is commonly used to make donations to charity, give alms to the less fortunate, and/or give prayers to The Lady while standing beneath a starry night sky.
Starsday is also considered an ideal day for making important decisions, after careful thought and meditation - especially on Starsday the 11th of the month, when Serena turns full. A commonly used Known World colloquial saying, Change Your Stars, is based on this tradition.
Moonsday (Lunastago)
Moonsday is a day of work.
Moonsday is the day when the greater moon Serena peaks in each of her 4 phases (new, 1st quarter, full, 3rd quarter). The smaller moon Kaprica also reaches its full phase on Moonsday during each of the 4 annual festival weeks of the Glosa Calendar.
Moonsday is a day of worship for the adherents of Feona, the Lifegiver, the Goddess of Agriculture, Family and Healing, and by far one of the most popular goddesses among the Known Worlders. Farmers and other rural folk usually stop work early on Moonsday in order to make time for sunset prayer services conducted in their barns or open croplands.
Waterday (Akvatago)
Waterday is a day of work.
It is also a day of worship for devotees of Mera, the Lady of the Seas, Goddess of the Sea, Fishing, and Adversity. Mera’s adherents, especially those whose lives depend on the seas or travel across them, commonly meet at dockside, seaside, lakeside, riverside or aboard ship at sunrise on Waterday mornings to hold a brief prayer service before going on to work.
Earthday (Teratago)
Earthday is a day of work.
It is also a day of worship for the followers of La Pliaĝakredo (The Old Faith), an ancient, druidical religion that is popular among rural and wilderness folk. Keepers of the Old Faith try to gather during sunrise, noon, and/or sunset in sacred groves, forest clearings, meadows, stone-sites or other designated hallowed ground, where they are led by priests of The Old Faith in prayer and meditation.
The day is also used for worship by followers of Myxra, the Ladysmith, Goddess of Smithing, Metalcraft and Stoneworkers. Metalsmiths and other businesses aligned with Myxra may also offer discounts on certain products sold or made on Earthday.
Sunday (Sunatago)
Sunday is a day of work, but for most folk, Sunday evenings also serve as an occasion for feasting, dancing, drinking, general merriment and perhaps a bit of mild debauchery ahead of Freeday, the day of rest. Many villages and towns use Sunday evenings to hold Reels, festive dances held by firelight on the local village green or town square.
Sunday is also a day of worship for adherents of the greater god Nevidata, often called The Invisible Hand, The Unseen or Unseen One. Adherents of Nevidata strive to visit their local chapter house (called a Sanktejo or Sanctuary) to observe as much of the all-day prayer services held there as circumstances will allow. Most congregants also gather there on Sunday evenings to share a quiet meal and spiritual conviviality.
Months and Festivals of the Year
Here is a list of the months and festivals of the Glosa Calendar, annotated with their very proximate Gregorian Calendar date equivalents.
Springtide (Vernatajdo)
March 18-24
A 7 day long festival that marks the Spring Equinox and the arrival of Spring. Springtide is marked by spring fertility and luck rituals, the making or renewal of personal vows and promises, honoring or remembering one's friends and relatives both living and dead, much musical merrymaking, sporting events, and big, hearty meals to be shared with friends and family.
Semuluno
March 25 to April 21
The first full month of the new year and the first month of Spring. Farmers often begin to plant spring crops such as barley, oats, peas, beans, and vetches during this time, while winter wheat continues growing from its autumn planting. Fallow fields are reploughed and horse foaling season begins, while wintered mines and maritime ports are reopened.
Amuluno
April 22 to May 19
The 2nd month of the year and the 2nd month of Spring. Sowing season ends and harrowing season begins, with farmers breaking up the soil and covering the seedlings. The plowing of fallow fields concludes, while cow milking and sheep shearing seasons begin. Gardens are vetted and sown, and wild honeybee swarms are actively sought out for domestication. Mines and maritime ports should be operating normally by now.
Floroluno
May 20 to June 16
The 3rd month of the year and the 3rd month of Spring. Most plants are in full bloom and flowering has usually begun by this time; weeding and fertilizing also begins. Deep plowing and the mixing of manure is done on fallow fields. The harvesting of small portions of winter wheat begins, while the shearing of sheep continues. Haymaking and sheep milking season commences, as does the summer pasturing of livestock. During the latter half of the month, preparations are made for the upcoming Summertide festival.
Summertide (Someratajdo)
June 17 to 23
A 7 day long festival marking the Summer Solstice and the arrival of Summer. Summertide is marked by romance, bonfires, sporting events and games, musical performances, betrothals, and big, hearty meals to be shared with friends and family.
Fojnoluno
June 24 to July 21
The 4th month of the year and the first month of Summer. Weeding and fertilizing activities continue apace. The harvesting of flax, cotton, orchards, and hemp begins in earnest, as does foraging for berries. Farmers commonly harvest hay for their wintering livestock during this time. Harvesting of the remaining winter wheat often begins before the end of this month. Livestock are taken to the meadows.
Ruĝaluno
July 22 to August 18
The 5th month of the year and the 2nd month of Summer. The moon commonly turns red during this time due to wildfires, etc. In most places, the autumnal harvest goes into full swing towards the end of this month, first by taking barley and oats, then peas, beans, and vetches. Meanwhile, the process of threshing, winnowing, and storing of the winter wheat continues. Honey and wax are harvested, and grapes are vatted. Orchard harvesting also continues as their fruits ripen.
Rikoltoluno
August 19 to September 15
The 6th month of the year and the 3rd month of Summer. Harvesting should be near completion, and the threshing season should be winding down. Grape vatting and orchard harvests also should be concluding, while the process of brewing beer and ale comes into full swing. During the latter half of the month, preparations for the Autumntide festival are made.
Autumntide (Ǎtumnatajdo)
September 16 to 22
A 7 day long festival marking the Autumn Equinox and the arrival of Autumn. As a celebration of the bringing in of the harvest, Autumntide is marked with bonfires, substantial consumption of beer, ale, and wine, a great deal of musical merrymaking, handfastings (a type of informal wedding), and big, hearty meals to be shared with friends and family.
After Autumntide ends, preparations for winter begin in earnest.
Ĉasuluno
September 23 to October 20
The 7th month of the year and the 1st month of Autumn. It is the prime season for hunting deer, wherein members of the gentry and nobility sally forth into the forests to cull them. Farmers plant their winter crops during this month. The drying and storing of the summer’s grain harvest proceeds. Wheat stubble is mixed in with winter fodder, the pannage season for hogs commences and the cow milking season ends. Wine is clarified, barreled and stored, while olive groves are harvested. The sale and slaughter season begins for any livestock not expected to winter over. Other tasks such as the pressing and jarring of olive oil, collecting and storing of firewood, and the gathering of reeds and bracken, are undertaken throughout this month.
Frostoluno
October 21 to November 17
The 8th month of the year and the 2nd month of Autumn. Wintering maritime ports and mines start closing down. Meat salting, smoking, and packing begins. Winter provisions are stored in cellars and homes are winterized. The first frost usually comes during this time, while in northern regions at least some light snow usually falls, especially towards the end of the month.
Ombraluno
November 18 to December 15
The 9th month of the year and the 3rd month of Autumn. The first significant snows usually arrive during this month, particularly in central and northern regions. Wintering river ports are usually closed down and winterized by now, while more southerly ports will turn to making annual repairs to their infrastructure. The repair and rebuilding of farm equipment and infrastructure also begins. Hemp is wound into rope or cord, while flax and wool are spun into yarn. Household weaving, embroidering, and other handicrafting activities begin. During the latter half of the month, preparations for the Wintertide festival are made.
Wintertide (Vintratajdo)
December 16 to 22
A 7 day long festival that marks the Winter Solstice and the arrival of Winter. Wintertide is marked by gift giving, indoor games, dancing, honoring the deceased, and big, hearty meals to be shared with friends and family.
Lupoluno
December 23 to January 19
The 10th month of the year and the 1st month of Winter. Snowy conditions continue in most regions. Wolves (and hungry Nokuru) often become a major threat to metahumans and their livestock during this month, what with vicious Teruralupos and Mortigalupos prowling about. Assarting (the clearing of forest to create new farmland) begins. Ropemaking and repairs and the rebuilding of farm equipment and infrastructure continues.
Neĝoluno
January 20 to February 16
The 11th month of the year and the 2nd month of Winter. Snowy conditions continue, with the heaviest snowfalls of the year often occurring during this month. Ropemaking and repairs to farm equipment and infrastructure begin to wind down, while the calf birthing season begins.
Degeloluno
February 17 to March 16
The 12th and final month of the year and the 3rd month of Winter. Snow and ice commonly begin thawing during this time, although the northern regions will usually continue to see snowfall and icing for a few more weeks. Some winter crops are harvested, while lamb and kid birthing season begins. Orchard pruning and the staking of vines commences, cotton fields are sown, and final preparations are made for the planting of next spring’s major crops. During the latter half of the month, preparations for Springtide are made.
Time in the Known World
Within the Known World, time is rarely measured in exact minutes, or even hours.
Instead, most communities around the Known World measure out their days in six 4 hour long increments of time, known as Viĝios or Watches. Watches are used by ship’s crews, guards, police watches, rural settlements and others to signal the beginning or end of a work shift.
Meanwhile, Known Worlders residing in cities and towns also use a 2nd set of signals throughout the day, known as Vokos or Calls, to alert residents when to wake up, work, rest, and sleep, as well as to mark the opening or closure of markets.
In villages, designated manorial officials typically sound out only the various Watches, while in cities and towns the passage of time is marked by professional guildsmen known as Timekeepers (Tempogardistos), who use a set of large standing and singing bells to ring in the 6 Watches and the 10 Calls day and night.
Watches of the Day
Here is a list of the six Watches of the Day and the times at which they typically occur.
A “gentle ring,” used at late night, is marked with 3 soft taps of the bell, while a “hard ring” is marked with 3 vigorous strikes of the bell.
Please note that the times list are standard, but may be adjusted or discarded entirely in accordance with the preferences of local rulers.
Postnokto - Afternight Watch - 0000 h to 0359 h (gentle ring)
Sunleviĝo - Sunrise Watch - 0400 h to 0759 h (gentle ring)
Avantagmezo - Forenoon Watch - 0800 h to 1200 h (hard ring)
Postagmezo - Afternoon Watch - 1200 h to 1559 h (hard ring)
Sunsubiro - Sunset Watch - 1600 h to 1999 h (hard ring)
Antǎnokto - Forenight Watch - 2000 h to 2359 h (hard ring)
Calls of the Day
These are the 10 Calls of the Day. All Calls are marked with a large singing bell that is rubbed with a mallet for about 15 seconds, then struck vigorously 3 times.
Vekiĝo - Call to Wakeup - 0600 h
Matenlaboro - Morning Call to Begin Work - 0700 h
Avantagpǎzo - Call to Midmorning Break and Open Markets - 0900 h
Restarto - Call to Resume Work - 0915 h
Tagmezo - Call to Midday Break and to optionally Pause Markets - 1100 h
Posttaglaboro - Afternoon Call to Resume Work/Reopen Markets - 1300 h
Posttagpǎzo - Call to Midafternoon Break and to Close Markets - 1500 h
Restarto - Call to Resume Work - 1515 h
Festeno - Call to End Work and/or go to Supper - 1800 h
Ripozo - Call to Sleep; “Lights Out” - 2100 h
Epilogue
Huzzah! This wraps up the rewriting of the original post of 23 December 2022!
I will be taking a few days off to go visit New Orleans with the Missus. When I return, I plan to revisit the topic of Cloudships, those miraculous vessels that waft about the skies of the Known World.
And so the journey continues…
This concludes today’s Dispatch. Thanks for reading!
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Until next time, safe journeys to you and yours!
— B.E. Turpin