The Calendar of Shadows
Overview
As we well know, the world of Shadows
is different from the world in which we live, in many important respects.
However, it is similar to our world in one glaringly obvious manner:
time passes, and we must have a way to measure it!
Shadows is a world based loosely upon
the model of our own Middle Ages. The people live their lives in a
nature-centric manner, and we have substituted magic for technology.
Therefore, we have chosen to adapt the nature-centric pagan calendar
for time-keeping in Shadows.
There are, of course, both similarities and differences. A month (referred to
as a "moon") will be equal to 28 days, and the week (or "se'en-night")
will be equal to 7 days. All days have our own 24 hours, so as not to
confuse us unduly. The moon follows a 28-day schedule, and there are 12
cycles in a year -- making it a 336 day year. No, we aren't going to
justify the physics of all of that, but you could go into orbital paths,
ozone or type of sun, if you like. . . The moon goes through our
accustomed phases of new, waxing, full and waning. For our own purposes,
the cycle of the moon is said to run from new to new, and the year to
begin on what would be for us November 1.
Within the game, you will notice that characters will measure time
relative to the cycles of the moon in the short term, and in the cycles
of the seasons and festivals in the long term. Years are loosely numbered
across the Nations, but within a specific Nation might be related to the
reign of rulers or chieftans, and so forth (for example, the third year
of Queen Marla's rule, or the 20th year of the Keldan dynasty). Across
the Twelve Nations, the Elven calendar is used as a reference point
(see below).
Patronage
The year is divided into the four seasons that we are accustomed to, and
each season is presided over by a specific deity. In addition, specific
deities are honored at the eight seasonal festivals, and at the full and
new of the moon.
Seasons
- Winter, Season of Jovun: Jovun
presides over the ending of the year in the same manner
that he presides over the ending of human lives. This is
the time when life energy is gathered in and purified for
re-use in the new cycle, which is Jovun's sphere of
influence.
- Spring, Season of Ynem: Ynem is the
goddess of creativity, who marshals the intuitive forces
within men and animals and orders them into the burgeoning
of springtime. It is from Ynem that the flowers gain
their cheery colours.
- Summer, Season of Cedaes: As the
goddess of creation and life, Cedaes reigns over that
time of year in which plants and animals grow to maturity.
As the Mother of all things, she governs this part of the
cycle.
- Fall, Season of Tellis: God of
agriculture and husbandry, Tellis oversees the reaping
of the crops and the gathering of the fruits of the
forest. The scythe and the pitchfork are the tools with
which Tellis reaps the bounty sown by Ynem and nurtured
by Cedaes.
Seasonal Festivals
- Saeat (say-aht): This festival marks the end of the year and a
withdrawl of the earth's life energies into the torpor
of winter. This is a time for sacrifice and for the
culling of the herds. Saeat is a time of reflection.
Parted family and friends are remembered at this time,
when the veil between this life and the next is the
thinnest. Patron: Jovun
- Winter Solstice: On the shortest day of the year the light
of hearth and home is rekindled against the promise of
longer and warmer days ahead. Patron: Leoden
- Ulye Saeg (uhl-yih saig): This
festival celebrates the returning of the light and the
earliest signs of Ynem's influence in the lands. It is a
traditional time for initiations and manhood rituals, and
is a festival of inspiration. Also referred to as Lady
Day or the Festival of Light. Patron: Ynem
- Spring Equinox: On this day, night and
day are once again balanced, and the stirring of the god of
Change is felt in the land. This is a time for new
beginnings. Patron: D'haris
- Beol (bay-ohl): This festival of
fertility honors Cedaes in her Earth Mother aspect.
Patron: Cedaes
- Summer Solstice: Midsummer night is
a time of wild magic, when the barrier between the realm
of Faerie and the Nations is most penetrable. On this
night, the Wild Hunt is said to ride the skies, and none
who venture forth are safe from Faerie magic. Kurig is
honored for the protection he offers. Patron: Kurig
- Imru: This is the
celebration of the first fruits of harvest, and is marked
by organized games and town fairs. It is traditional at
this time to make an offering to the Priests' and
Protectors' Guilds in honor of their work in purifying
the land. Patron: Tellis
- Fall Equinox: Nearing the end of the
the Wheel of the Year, the equinox marks the height of
the harvest and the waning light and life in the land.
At this time, night and day are balanced. This is a time
for pursuit of knowledge and self-examination. Patron:
Ceren
Moon Phases
- Full Moon: The full of the moon is
ruled by Oysesix, the god of chaos. People and animals
often find themselves acting strangely or violently
during the three days of the full of the moon, and it is
common knowledge that sleeping in the light of the full
moon is detrimental to one's health. Patron: Oysesix
- New Moon: The new moon is when Augeren
holds his calming hand over the world. During the three
nights of the new moon, magical workings are more powerful
and will last longer than at any other time. Patron:
Augeren
The Wheel of the Year
| Approx. Real Time |
Real World Festival |
Season |
Shadows Time |
Shadows Festival |
Presiding Deity |
| Nov. 1 |
Samhain |
Winter: Season of Jovun |
First Moon of Jovun |
Saeat |
Jovun |
| Dec. 21-23 |
Winter Solstice |
Second Moon of Jovun |
Winter Solstice |
Leoden |
| January |
 |
Third Moon of Jovun |
|
|
| Feb. 1 |
Imbolc |
Spring: Season of Ynem |
First Moon of Ynem |
Ulye Saeg |
Ynem |
| March 21-23 |
Spring Equinox |
Second Moon of Ynem |
Spring Equinox |
D'haris |
| April |
|
Third Moon of Ynem |
|
|
| May 1 |
Beltain |
Summer: Season of Cedaes |
First Moon of Cedaes |
Beol |
Cedaes |
| June 21-23 |
Summer Solstice |
Second Moon of Cedaes |
Summer Solstice |
Kurig |
| July |
|
Third Moon of Cedaes |
|
|
| Aug. 1 |
Lughnasadh |
Fall: Season of Tellis |
First Moon of Tellis |
Imru |
Tellis |
| Sept. 21-23 |
Fall Equinox |
Second Moon of Tellis |
Fall Equinox |
Ceren |
| Oct. 1 |
|
Third Moon of Tellis |
|
|
It is interesting to note that there is no festival in honor of Lorelei.
Old historical texts seem to indicate that the spring season was
once dedicated to the goddess of the desires of the heart, but that
practice fell to the wayside when the worship of Lorelei declined.
The Elven Calendar
Currently, we are in the year 1494 of the Third Age of the Elven calendar.
Because the scholarship behind the making of the calendar is not common
knowledge, it won't be printed here. However, it is common knowledge
that the First Age was that of the Gods alone upon the earth. It was
during the Second Age that the Gods and the people shared the earth,
and it was obviously approximately 1500 years ago that the Gods withdrew
from everyday physical presence - thus began the Age of Men Alone. You
might find our rough timeline somewhat useful, as soon as we can post it.
Back to the main page.