Calendar and Zodiac

The Calendar

There are eight months in the Essealas Calendar, each comprising of nine five day weeks. Dates are tracked by the week of the month, and do not generally include the day. The seasons differ by region. There are two lunar solstices and two solar equinoxes. The lunar calendar follows the eight months with a 5 day full moon week every 9 weeks. However, there are 365 days in a year, which requires a leap week of five days over the summer solstice and thus shifts the full moon week by 1 every year. The new year begins on the winter solstice.

The summer solstice is on June 21st and the winter solstice on Dec 21st of our calendar every year. The Leap Week is from June 19-23 every year.

Seasons

Month	Central Season	Northern Season	Southern Season
Al-Sargas	Winter	Winter	Flood
Raa’Edan	Winter	Winter	Growing
Shewan	Spring	Winter	Growing
Ravn	Spring	Spring	Harvest I
Se’Wakka	Summer	Summer	Growing
Corran	Summer	Summer	Harvest II
Hyrde	Fall	Fall	Harvest II
Yu Min	Fall	Winter	Flood

Festivals

Essealas celebrates four festivals; the spring and fall equinox and the summer and winter solstices. All major festivals fall on one of those for dates. Festivals vary by culture and often by region.

The Zodiac

The refugee from Comraich brought the calendar and Zodiac with them to Essealas.

There are obviously more than eight constellations, but it is these eight that are the brightest and most prominent. They are the scorpion, the lion, the horse, the raven, the water bearer, the farmer, the herder and the fisherman. A system of astrology has been developed over the last 1000 years to where each of these constellations and the months to which they map have given rise to star charts, tarot cards and other mystical meanings.

The Scorpion (Al-Sargas)

Al-Sargas are the most intense, profound, powerful characters in the zodiac. Even when they appear self-controlled and calm there is a seething intensity of emotional energy under the placid exterior. They are like the volcano not far under the surface of a calm sea, it may burst into eruption at any moment. But those of us who are particularly perceptive will be aware of the harnessed aggression, the immense forcefulness, magnetic intensity, and often strangely hypnotic personality under the tranquil, but watchful composure of Al-Sargas. In conventional social gatherings they are pleasant to be with, thoughtful in conversation, dignified, and reserved, yet affable and courteous; they sometimes possess penetrating eyes which make their shyer companions feel naked and defenseless before them

The Lion (Raa’Edan)

The lion personality has the unmistakable presence of nobility. Moving with the unruffled calm of a cat and the dignified gait of someone in command, lions have no need to walk or talk quickly since they're never in danger of being ignored or marginalized. Every now and then, the lion will play to its gruff reputation by dramatically reprimanding a subordinate or impulsively making love to its partner with unsheathed claws. But underneath all its hissing and scratching it's still a pussycat at heart.

The Horse (Shewan)

Harmonious and peaceful interaction is very important for people born under the sign of the Shewan, and that's why Shewan are often diplomatic and accommodating. They have a strong sense of fairness and justice. These qualities make them ideal mediators. Being alone is particularly difficult for them. This accounts for the fact that they usually feel safe and more comfortable in groups and larger communities. They also dislike confrontations and would prefer to walk away from tricky situations than deal with them. Shewan people always make an effort to see both sides of an issue and are masters in the deliberative decisions and forming opinions, which could mean missing important opportunities. In addition, Shewan people have a tendency to be influenced by others. People born under the sign of the Shewan usually have a well-developed sense of beauty and aesthetics. It is not uncommon for then to have musical and artistic talents. They have a great need to be well-groomed and elegant, often concentrating too much on externals. They observe people and things very carefully, at least in terms of outward appearance, but sometimes fail to discover what's inside.

The Raven (Ravn) –

People born under the sign of Ravn may become philosophers, theologians, politicians, or cunning financiers. The Ravn is the most enigmatic of the eight zodiac signs. Such persons are elegant, and enjoy reading, listening to great music, tasting delicious food, and going to the theatre. They are fascinated with all beautiful things in life. Many of the most beautiful ladies and the men with strongest personalities were born in the month of Ravn. Therefore, you should have good luck if you were born in this month. A person born in the month of Ravn usually acts according to his own judgment, and doesn't follow the views with others. He may be a religious believer or a pleasure-seeker. In either case, he would rather believe in his own conjectures than accept the advice of others, and he is generally right.

The Water Bearer (Se’Wakka)

Those born under the sign of Se’Wakka are considered to be born under the sign of water. Se’Wakka are smart, wise, frank, and resourceful. They have good memories and think before they leap. Charm, persuasive powers, good public relations. Expert communicators, persistent in uncovering facts. Flexible, intuitive, diplomatic and unimposing. Excellent eye for value, flair for expression. Natural healers. Good instigators and promoters. Capitalizes on talents and resources. Can to be too subjective, self-immersed and insular. Unpredictable, moody, dependent.

The Farmer (Corran)

Most born under the sign of Corran are trustful, steady, loyal and responsible. They are honest, religious, reliable, and keep their promises. The characteristics of a Corran are standing still, being slow and steady, and stationary. Therefore a Corran doesn't like to move their body and change their mind too often. They are honest, trustworthy, and responsible. They also have good faith. They can sit in one position for a long time. They accept religion since they like rumination and meditation. They are slow to react. They like to collect things, and enjoy their collectables at home, but not outdoors.

The Herder/Shepard (Hyrde)

The Shepherd is to tend to your human flock. You understand the needs of those for whom you are responsible. Hyrde are vigilant and reliable. You realize your obligation and commitment to the well being of those entrusted to your care. Hyrde are very dependable. You engender a feeling of comfort and stability to those within your charge. On the positive side, Hyrde can be empathic, caring, understanding, practical and realistic. On the negative side, you may be manipulative, close-minded and sentimentally rigid.

The Fisherman (Yu Min)

Yu Min is the sign of deep imagination and compassion. The Yu Min man and woman can be very emotional, caring and sensitive to the point that they can actually feel what others do. They have a good sense of how feelings work and will try to avoid hurting others. Yu Min also have a very creative imagination that allows them to come up with all kinds of interesting ideas. Sometimes they just waste those ideas on day dreams or fantasies. A Yu Min’s compassion is so strong that they are willing to sacrifice themselves to help strangers. Yu Min have a deep desire to understand themselves or others at the deepest level possible. That usually leads them to seek spiritual wisdom from where ever they can find any. They are usually always spiritual people.

Calendar Conversion Table

Al-Sargas (Month 1) Dec-Feb
Priwick	12-21	12-22	12-23	12-24	12-25
Duwick	12-26	12-27	12-28	12-29	12-30
Triwick	12-31	01-01	01-02	01-03	01-04
Quadwick	01-05	01-06	01-07	01-08	01-09
Quinwick	01-10	01-11	01-12	01-13	01-14
Sexwick	01-15	01-16	01-17	01-18	01-19
Septwick	01-20	01-21	01-22	01-23	01-24
Octwick	01-25	01-26	01-27	01-28	01-29
Novawick	01-30	01-31	02-01	02-02	02-03
Raa’Edan (Month 2) Feb-Mar
Priwick	02-04	02-05	02-06	02-07	02-08
Duwick	02-09	02-10	02-11	02-12	02-13
Triwick	02-14	02-15	02-16	02-17	02-18
Quadwick	02-19	02-20	02-21	02-22	02-23
Quinwick	02-24	02-25	02-26	02-27	02-28
Sexwick	03-01	03-02	03-03	03-04	03-05
Septwick	03-06	03-07	03-08	03-09	03-10
Octwick	03-11	03-12	03-13	03-14	03-15
Novawick	03-16	03-17	03-18	03-19	03-20
Shewan (Month 3) Mar-May
Priwick	03-21	03-22	03-23	03-24	03-25
Duwick	03-26	03-27	03-28	03-29	03-30
Triwick	03-31	04-01	04-02	04-03	04-04
Quadwick	04-05	04-06	04-07	04-08	04-09
Quinwick	04-10	04-11	04-12	04-13	04-14
Sexwick	04-15	04-16	04-17	04-18	04-19
Septwick	04-20	04-21	04-22	04-23	04-24
Octwick	04-25	04-26	04-27	04-28	04-29
Novawick	04-30	05-01	05-02	05-03	05-04
Ravn (Month 4) May-June
Priwick	05-05	05-06	05-07	05-08	05-09
Duwick	05-10	05-11	05-12	05-13	05-14
Triwick	05-15	05-16	05-17	05-18	05-19
Quadwick	05-20	05-21	05-22	05-23	05-24
Quinwick	05-25	05-26	05-27	05-28	05-29
Sexwick	05-30	05-31	06-01	06-02	06-03
Septwick	06-04	06-05	06-06	06-07	06-08
Octwick	06-09	06-10	06-11	06-12	06-13
Novawick	06-14	06-15	06-16	06-17	06-18
Leap Week	06-19	06-20	06-21	06-22	06-23
Se’Wakka (Month 5) Jun-Aug
Priwick	06-24	06-25	06-26	06-27	06-28
Duwick	06-29	06-30	07-01	07-02	07-03
Triwick	07-04	07-05	07-06	07-07	07-08
Quadwick	07-09	07-10	07-11	07-12	07-13
Quinwick	07-14	07-15	07-16	07-17	07-18
Sexwick	07-19	07-20	07-21	07-22	07-23
Septwick	07-24	07-25	07-26	07-27	07-28
Octwick	07-29	07-30	07-31	08-01	08-02
Novawick	08-03	08-04	08-05	08-06	08-07
Corran (Month 6) Aug-Sep
Priwick	08-08	08-09	08-10	08-11	08-12
Duwick	08-13	08-14	08-15	08-16	08-17
Triwick	08-18	08-19	08-20	08-21	08-22
Quadwick	08-23	08-24	08-25	08-26	08-27
Quinwick	08-28	08-29	08-30	08-31	09-01
Sexwick	09-02	09-03	09-04	09-05	09-06
Septwick	09-07	09-08	09-09	09-10	09-11
Octwick	09-12	09-13	09-14	09-15	09-16
Novawick	09-17	09-18	09-19	09-20	09-21
Hyrde (Month 7) Sep-Nov
Priwick	09-22	09-23	09-24	09-25	09-26
Duwick	09-27	09-28	09-29	09-30	10-01
Triwick	10-02	10-03	10-04	10-05	10-06
Quadwick	10-07	10-08	10-09	10-10	10-11
Quinwick	10-12	10-13	10-14	10-15	10-16
Sexwick	10-17	10-18	10-19	10-20	10-21
Septwick	10-22	10-23	10-24	10-25	10-26
Octwick	10-27	10-28	10-29	10-30	10-31
Novawick	11-01	11-02	11-03	11-04	11-05
Yu Min (Month 8) Nov-Dec
Priwick	11-06	11-07	11-08	11-09	11-10
Duwick	11-11	11-12	11-13	11-14	11-15
Triwick	11-16	11-17	11-18	11-19	11-20
Quadwick	11-21	11-22	11-23	11-24	11-25
Quinwick	11-26	11-27	11-28	11-29	11-30
Sexwick	12-01	12-02	12-03	12-04	12-05
Septwick	12-06	12-07	12-08	12-09	12-10
Octwick	12-11	12-12	12-13	12-14	12-15
Novawick	12-16	12-17	12-18	12-19	12-20