Calendar.
The current Neon calendar is known as the Torigan Calendar, after its creator, Michael Torigan. The timekeeper of the Lord of Tourchelle, he was frustrated by the variety of different calendars in use, many of them contradictory and muddled due to lost years in the War of Mages. Over a period of several years, he unified the main two calendars in use into his own, and petitioned timekeepers across the established lands to take it up. By 363 YA, the calendar was in major use across Theon and most Barbarian nations, and was gaining popularity in Myria.
One Neon Year consists of 377 days, which is divided into 12 months of 31 days. Each month has three weeks of ten days, and at the end of each months there is a celebratory feast day. Additionally, several feast days are not a part of any month, such as Day of Hope and Requiem Night. Torigan began his calendar from when Anahita fell at Fren, naming it "Year of Anahita", an unusual mark of respect from a Tourchellian. It is currently the 3008th Year of Anahita.
Months of the Year.
The year begins on the Spring Equinox, when day and night are in balance and the harshness of winter is over. The months are named after the angels. (The rough dates of the corresponding Roman calendar are in brackets).
- The first month, Ardousion, is preceded by the Festival of Doors, as the people
go through the opening of the last year and into the next. It is traditional for all
doors to be left open on this day, and for everyone to mingle with their neighbors.
(21 Mar- 21 Apr)
- The second month, Bathion, ends with a typical feast day, and is followed by the
Day of Bells, when the Bell tower is be rung all day. It is traditionally a lucky day
to get married or to be born upon. Also known as Tramon, literally "Second Month" in
the High Tongue.
(21 Apr - 21 May)
- The third month, Ambrion, is also known as the "Slow Month", as the summer approaches
and spring ends.
(21 May - 21 Jun)
- The fourth month, Armion, ends with a typical feast day, and is followed by Litha,
the celebration of the Summer Solstice when the day is longest.
(21 Jun - 21 Jul)
- The fifth month, Verchion. In the middle of the month, Luck‘s Nest celebrates the
approaching harvest, with nests of seeds hung on the doors of the houses to herald good
luck in the harvest.
(21 Jul - 21 Aug)
- The sixth month is known as Urion in Barbaria, after the angel Uriel, and as Anahion
in Theon and the rest of Neon, after the angel Anahita. The month ends with a typical
feast day, and is followed by Mabon, the celebration of the Autumn Equinox when day and
night are in balance once more. Usually considered the most important month, as Lords will
organise the collection of annual taxes in this month and schools will begin in the first week.
(21 Aug - 21 Sep)
- The seventh month, Shekion, ends with a typical feast day, and is followed by Requiem Night,
when the souls of the dead are supposedly seen and are remembered by their family.
(21 Sep - 21 Oct)
- The eighth month, Barbion, is know as the "Fast Month", as what is left of the harvest is
finished and the majority of trade is done.
(21 Oct - 21 Nov)
- The ninth month, Hanion, ends with a typical feast day, and is followed by Yule, mourning
the Winter Solstice when the night rules the day. Traditionally a day of forgiveness and penance.
(21 Nov - 21 Dec)
- The tenth month, Gabrion, begins of the Day of Hope, when those who were forgiven their sins
the day before can look forward to a good future. The day marks the fall of Anahita, a day of mass
celebartion across Theon and most of Neon.
(21 Dec - 21 Jan)
- The eleventh month, Barchion, ends with a typical feast day, and is followed by Imbolc, the
celebration of the new farming season. Every four years, an extra feast day appears after Imbolc,
called Sunday, which was established by Torigan to incorporate the "missing" day he noticed whilst creating
his calendar.
(21 Jan - 21 Feb)
- The twelfth month, Machion, is known as the warring month, as Winter fights against
the oncoming spring.
(21 Feb - 21 Mar)
Feast Days
Most feast days occur on the 31st of month, at the end, and are not part of the week. The Solstices, Equinoxes, and Requiem Night are not part of any month and appear separate on almanacs and calendars. There are also various local feast days with break up the long week, which are too numerous and diverse to list.
Other Calendars
The only other calendar in major use is the Fren Calendar, which begins on the Winter Solstice and is used mainly by Theoni scholars. The Torigan Calendar is based roughly upon it, although it was in declining use when he created his calendar. The Fren Calendar dates from the time that Angels first appeared, at 3561 FF (Founding of Fren).
The Zodiac
As well as the months, Torigan revived the lost art of Astrology, a way of predicting the future using the stars. Although its popularity continues to vary, most people use the signs of the zodiac as marks of luck.
- The Bull runs during the month of Ardousion, and is known as a bad sign, as the Bull is the symbol of Apollyon and chaos.
- The Flower runs during the month of Bathion/Tramon, and is known as a sign of openness.
- The Child runs during the month of Ambrion, and is known as a sign of energy.
- The Cow runs during the month of Armion, and is known as a good sign, as the Cow is the symbol of Beond and order.
- The Leaping Fish runs during the month of Verchion, and is known as a sign of impatience.
- The Running Man runs during the month of Urion/Anahion, and is known as a sign of courage.
- The Glass runs during the month of Shekion, and is known as a sign of longevity.
- The Knife runs during the month of Barbion, and is known as a sign of strength.
- The Oak runs during the month of Hanion, and is known as a sign of stoicism.
- The Wolf runs during the month of Gabrion, and is known as a sign of intelligence.
- The Bird runs during the month of Barchion, and is known as a sign of balance, as the Bird is the symbol of Anahita and Theon.
- The Rabbit runs during the month of Machion and is known as a sign of fertility.