The Passing of Days

In the Calendar of Orb there are 364 days in every year. There are 12 months. Most months comprise 30 days each but four of them are 31 days long (see Equinoxes and Solstices below).

Months

The names of the months among Humans are (from Spring to Winter) Meadowbloom, Freeborn, Frolictime, Flamesky, Midsummer, Goldgrass, Leafall, Harvestime, Bonedust, Frostfall, Midwinter, Frostmelt.

The birth month of a person dictates which Birth Sigil is allocated to them. These are derived from particular stellar Constellations. See the following:



Meadowbloom - The Dandelion Seed - Air Element - Plant Aspect

Freeborn - The Kite - Air Element - Object Aspect

Frolictime - The Swallow - Air Element - Animal Aspect

Flamesky - The Firebrand - Fire Element - Plant Aspect

Midsummer - The Campfire - Fire Element - Object Aspect

Goldgrass - The Grass Snake - Fire Element - Animal Aspect

Leafall - The Fallen Leaf - Earth Element - Plant Aspect

Harvestime - The Plough - Earth Element - Object Aspect

Bonedust - The Ferret - Earth Element - Animal Aspect

Frostfall - The Lilypad - Water Element - Plant Aspect

Midwinter - The Fishing Line - Water Element - Object Aspect

Frostmelt - The Salmon - Water Element - Animal Aspect

Astrologers make use of a combination of elements and aspects to make interpretations of personality. This they can then use to recommend particular spouses or careers. Astrologers never pretend to have the ability to predict the future because of the existence of bonefide Divination. Rather they present Birth Sigils as a way of helping one develop a sense of self. These images are also utilized in developing heraldic designs.

In most cultures there are holidays held on the Solstices and Equinoxes. These are whole days and the sixteenth days of the longer months of Freeborn, Midsummer, Harvestime and Midwinter. These events are nominally for all gods and goddesses (with a focus on the more nature-oriented ones) and indeed are also important secular events. Activity on such days includes playing sports, holding banquets and dancing the boggy. Some say those born on these four dates are destined for greatness.

Days

The months are divided into three units known as 'thirdings' or simply weeks. The ten days of this week are named for the gods and goddesses as follows:

Olarday - Day of The Sun

This day is important to all worshippers of the god Olarin and anyone whose life focuses on daytime activity. During this day the churches of Olarin hold a Noontide Celebration. In this ceremony thanks is given for the warmth-giving light of day and personal offenses taken are forgiven.

Bernaday - Day of Laws

This day is most holy for all those associated with the making or enforcing of laws. Clerics of the goddess Bernali say a prayer for all the coming court cases calling for honesty and justice to be the order of the day. Long sermons on the importance of the law and order in everyday life are made for those who are prepared to listen.

Garloday - Day of Earth

This is one of two days in which the Druidic creed has its time of rest and contemplation of the vastness of nature. For the Druids this day is a day for all of Nature but is named for the god Garlomen specifically. For everyone it is a day dedicated to those who work the land or mine or craft items from the products drawn of the ground.

Nitarday - Day of Growing

On this day the church of the goddess Nitara holds a ceremony giving thanks for all the living and growing things in the world whether they are for the benefit of the worshippers (crops and livestock) or for the sake of natural beauty. Gifts of food are exchanged among followers as needs and wants dictate.

Lineday - Day of Festivity

On this day all those who cherish culture – whether elite or common – engage in recreational events in honour of the goddess Linesa. Any ceremony held on this day by the church of Linesa is short and sweet so that she can be more fully worshipped by attending or engaging in plays, shows, dances, parties, pranks and so on.

Elcheday - Day of Crafts

On this day all craftspersons and artisans pray to the god Elchemar that they will improve in the work they do and make offerings of their handiwork to the god at his churches. It is also on this day that craft bazaars are held.

Kanday - Day of Storms

On this day the church of the god Kandoth holds a ceremony involving the making of the biggest racket one can imagine. The neighbours always go away for this day if they can help it as the din can be akin to that of an electrical storm and that is fully the intent of its makers.

Maruday - Day of The Sea

This is one of two days in which the Druidic creed has its time of rest and contemplation of the vastness of nature. For the Druids this day is a day for all of Nature but is named for the goddess Marumi specifically. For everyone it is a day dedicated to those who work on rivers or coastlines fishing or netmaking or whatever.

Teloday - Day of Battle

This day is most holy for anyone engaged in combative professions. Clerics of the god Teloch perform mock melees on this day in homage to their god and to all those who have fallen in battle. Worshippers pray for a full life followed by a quick death in combat.

Ularday - Day of Stars

This day is important to all worshippers of Urala and anyone whose life focuses on nightly activity. Worshippers of Urala rest during the day while silently brooding over the wrongs they have suffered. They also hold a star-gazing ceremony on both the midnight before and the midnight after this day. In this way the worshippers of Urala consider themselves twice as holy as the church of Olarin. In these nightly gatherings worshippers can find some solace from the woes of life.

In the four longer months the Solstices or Equinoxes sit between Lineday and Elcheday. These extra days results in what many call an 'elevensday' or 'a long thirding'.

Most rulers by custom allow for each working person to have two days off in every ten (the most popular falling on Garloday and Maruday so that rest is well distributed). Combined with the four holidays this results in seventy six non-working days in the calendar. Note that the changing of the year is just another night for most - only those involved in roles like record-keeping mark the occassion with a contemplative drink by the fireplace.

It may be noted that one divinity – the Deliverer – has no day. The clerics of the Deliverer say that is because every day belongs to death and indeed the church of the Deliverer can be involved in any funeral ceremony regardless of who the deceased may have worshipped in life.

Lunchtimes tend to be to long to allow for the assorted religious events of a polytheistic week. Timekeeping methods within a day vary. Many simply reckon the passage of time via natural indicators and "meeting at the crossroad at Noon" is a common arrangement. However townships have mechanical time-keeping bell-towers or wells that also serve as water clocks.